Accountant II

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT); Calgary; On-site; CAD 64,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous vacation time

Benefits package

Professional development opportunities

On-campus amenities

Job summary

SAIT’s Finance Operations is seeking an Accountant II to support AR/AP, GL reconciliations, journal entries, and tax reporting. The role requires solid GAAP knowledge, ERP experience, and advanced Excel skills, with a focus on accuracy and regulatory compliance.

You will contribute to process improvements, collaborate with internal stakeholders, and assist with audits while balancing workload and deadlines in a dynamic postsecondary environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance with GAAP knowledge.
• 3+ years of related accounting experience in a similar role.
• Experience with large ERP systems and complex reconciliations.
• Advanced Excel skills and data analysis capabilities.
• Familiarity with CRA forms and government reporting.

Responsibilities

• Review and reconcile day-to-day AR/AP transactions per SAIT policies.
• Prepare journal entries and accruals; analyze complex accounts.
• Process weekly AP cheque runs with internal controls.
• Configure and issue T2202 and T4A forms in CRA-compliant manner.
• Support audits, document processes, and mentor teammates.
• Lead process improvements and assist in system changes.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Independent work

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Adaptability

Advanced Excel

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA designation or actively pursuing CPA

Tools

Banner ERP

Destiny ERP

Excel (advanced)

Job description

SAIT’s Finance department loves an equation - so we’re looking to add to our team. Tasked with ensuring the institution’s financial health, we bring diligence, accuracy and a customer-focused approach to the work we do. Join us as we work together to ensure SAIT is well positioned to meet current and future needs.

The Opportunity

Job classification

A5004 - Accountant II (b)

Salary range

$63,995.75 - $79,603.55

Hours per week

36.25

Position End Date

October 15, 2027

Paid leave

3 weeks vacation per year

Deadline to apply

4:00PM, Friday, November 13, 2026

The Accountant II supports SAIT’s Finance Operations through complex accounts receivable and accounts payable activities, account reconciliations, financial analysis, journal entries, payment processing, and T2202 and T4A tax reporting. The role applies sound professional judgement to investigate discrepancies, resolve root causes, and ensure accurate and timely transactions in accordance with accounting standards, internal controls, SAIT policies, and regulatory requirements.

An adaptable, analytical, and collaborative professional, the Accountant II quickly learns complex processes, leads and manages projects and process improvements, and supports financial system changes while balancing ongoing operational priorities. The position serves as a key resource for internal and external stakeholders, communicates technical information in clear, practical terms, supports audit inquiries, and provides training, mentoring, and current process documentation to strengthen team effectiveness.

Please note: as part of the pre-employment screening process, the selected candidate will be required to successfully complete both a Criminal Record Check and a Credit Check.

How You’ll Contribute

General accounting

• Review and reconciliation of day-to-day AR and AP transactions in compliance with SAIT policies and accounting standards
• Prepare journal entries and accruals
• Analyze and review complex corporate, student, and vendor accounts
• Configure, test, and distribute T2202 and T4A tax forms in compliance with CRA Perform variance analysis, data review, and discrepancy resolution
• Coordinate and process the weekly accounts payable cheque run, ensuring accurate and timely payments in accordance with established procedures and internal controls
• Manage detail code creation in Banner and Destiny ERP systems
• Assist the Finance Operations Manager, AR Team Lead, and AP Team lead with other duties as assigned
• Manage term due dates and deposit release schedule

Business process improvements

• Assess business processes and provide solutions to improve inefficiencies
• Ensure institutional compliance with industry best practices and government regulations
• Stay current on new technology and approaches to financial management processes through continued professional development
• Assist in special projects and improvement initiatives as required

Relationship management

• Serve as a key liaison for financial and audit inquiries
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships within the Finance department and across the institution
• Act as a key finance resource in collaboration with various departments and schools to provide guidance on AR and AP related processes.
• Respond to inquiries from various stakeholders

Team participation

• Provide support and appropriate cover-off within the department to meet business needs as required
• Train and mentor team members on Finance Operations processes and best practices
• Maintain updated documentation that represent current business processes

What You Bring

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Commerce, or a related discipline, with a concentration in accounting or finance.
• 3+ years of related accounting experience in a similar role.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Experience working with a large Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) or financial information system.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including complex formulas, lookups, PivotTables and manipulation and analysis of large data sets.
• Demonstrated experience performing complex account reconciliations, financial analysis and discrepancy investigations.
• Demonstrated understanding of internal controls and their application within financial processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) or Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a concentration in Accounting or Finance.
• 3 - 5 years of progressively responsible accounting experience, preferably within a large or complex organization.
• Experience within a post-secondary, public-sector, or similarly complex financial environment.
• Experience supporting or leading projects, process improvements, system implementations or financial-system changes.
• Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation or actively working toward the CPA designation.
• Knowledge of or experience applying Public Sector Accounting Standards (PSAS).
• Experience with Ellucian Banner ERP or similar large-scale financial/ERP systems.
• Experience with financial systems testing, including User Acceptance Testing (UAT).
• Experience supporting internal or external audits.
• Experience leading or coordinating projects and process-improvement initiatives.

Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrate initiative and a results-driven mindset.
• Proven ability to work independently.
• Collaborative and team-focused approach.
• Time management and organizational skills.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Analytical and investigative skills.
• Ability to learn quickly and apply new knowledge effectively.
• Highly adaptable and comfortable working in changing environments.
• Advanced technical skills relevant to the role.

We sincerely thank all applicants for their interest in this opportunity. We understand how important communication is, and we are committed to following up with every candidate. Please know that each application is thoughtfully reviewed, and you will hear from us either way.

Together, we build bold futures

At SAIT, We Equip You With The Resources You Need To Shape Bold Futures For Yourself And Our Communities. We Offer a Comprehensive Package Including

• Generous time off to pursue other passions and support your wellbeing
• SAIT paid premiums for medical, dental, and vision benefits so you, and your family, are well supported
• Benefits supporting mental health and access to Greenshield + for virtual therapy at a reduced rate
• Access to a Health Spending or Taxable Spending Account
• Professional development opportunities through our Free Seat Program, tuition support, access to LinkedIn Learning and discounted Continuing Education & Professional Studies courses
• Defined Benefit pension through LAPP to help you retire with confidence
• Excellent dining options on campus
• Free access to our fitness facilities and group fitness classes

And the perks keep on coming!

About SAIT

At SAIT, we’re building bold futures. We’re a community of tenacious problem-solvers, inventive thinkers, and passionate collaborators who believe in doing work that matters.

Named one of Alberta’s Top Employers, we’re driven by a desire to create an impact in our community. If you’re looking for a place where purpose meets possibility, you’ve found it here.

We’re committed to community and belonging

Community and belonging is essential to achieving SAIT's vision to be a global leader in applied education. We encourage applications from women, Indigenous people, racialized people, people with disabilities, people from gender and sexually diverse communities, and/or people with intersectional identities. Learn more about Community and Belonging at SAIT.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.