Accounts Payable and Receivable Manager

Vaco by Highspring; Markham; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaco by Highspring in Markham, Ontario, seeks an AR/AP Manager to lead the Canada and U.S. AR/AP teams, own end-to-end performance, cash application, collections, and vendor payments, and drive automation with strong controls.

The role requires coaching 11 staff, setting performance goals, and building a KPI framework across finance operations. The ideal candidate will partner with Sales and IT to optimize working capital, lead system enhancements, and ensure compliance in a dynamic, in-office

Qualifications

• 5+ years in AR and/or AP with leadership experience.
• Experience managing teams across locations (Canada/US preferred).
• Strong KPI reporting and performance metrics background.
• Experience with system implementations or automation projects.
• Familiar with SOP development and internal controls.

Responsibilities

• Lead AR/AP teams across Canada and the US, including collections and payments.
• Oversee KPI framework, reporting, and performance reviews for the teams.
• Drive automation and process improvements to reduce cycle time.
• Maintain internal controls and assist month-end close activities.
• Collaborate with Sales, IT, and vendors to optimize working capital.

Skills

Team leadership

KPI reporting

Excel skills

Communication

Process improvement

Education

Accounting education or designation

Tools

Acumatica ERP

Automation tools

Job description

The AR/AP Manager is responsible for leading and developing the Company's Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable teams across Canada and the U.S. This role owns end-to-end AR and AP performance, including collections, cash application, vendor payment processing, reporting, and controls, while driving process improvement and automation initiatives that scale the team's efficiency and accuracy. This is an in-office position.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage, mentor, and develop a team of 11 AR and AP team members.
• Set individual and team performance goals; conduct regular one-on-ones, performance reviews, and coaching.
• Oversee hiring, onboarding, and training for the AR/AP team as it grows.
• Establish clear accountability for daily, weekly, and monthly AR and AP deliverables across the team.
• Foster a collaborative, customer-focused, and accountable team culture.

Reporting & KPIs

• Develop and monitor aged AR and aged AP reporting, ensuring accuracy and timely distribution to stakeholders. Design and maintain a KPI framework for the team, including collections effectiveness, outbound call and email volume/quality, DSO, DPO, dispute resolution timelines, and payment processing accuracy.
• Report on team and individual performance against KPIs to senior finance leadership on a regular cadence.
• Use reporting and KPI trends to identify risk areas (e.g., aging concentrations, at-risk accounts) and drive corrective action.
• Support on net working capital optimization.

AR Oversight & Collections

• Oversee accounts receivable aging, cash application, and collections activity across the Canada and US AR teams.
• Ensure timely follow-up on past-due accounts and effective escalation of high-risk or disputed accounts.
• Partner with Sales and Customer Service to resolve customer disputes and align on credit and billing terms.
• Liaise with external collections agencies where required.

AP Oversight

• Oversee accounts payable processing, vendor payment cycles, and aged AP reporting.
• Lead the evaluation, selection, and implementation of an AP tracking and approvals software solution to replace/enhance current manual processes.
• Ensure appropriate approval workflows, segregation of duties, and internal controls are maintained over vendor payments.
• Act as the primary escalation point for supplier payment discrepancies.

Automation & Systems Improvement

• Partner with IT to design and implement AI-driven automation for AR cash posting and AR collections workflows (e.g., automated payment matching, intelligent dunning/collections outreach).
• Identify and lead technology and process improvement initiatives across both AR and AP functions to reduce manual effort and improve accuracy and cycle time.
• Support system evaluations, testing, and rollout for new AR/AP tools, including the AP approvals software and any ERP-related enhancements.

SOPs, Controls & Compliance

• Develop, update, and maintain SOPs across AR and AP functions, ensuring processes are documented, consistent, and scalable.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, company policies, and applicable accounting standards across both AR and AP including appropriate G/L coding.
• Support month-end and year-end close activities related to AR and AP, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting, including the reconciliation of sub-ledgers to the general ledger. Support internal and external audits by preparing and providing required documentation.
• Maintain accurate records of customer/vendor account structures, ownership, and payment terms to ensure proper invoicing, collections, and disbursements.

Ideal Candidate:

• At least 5+ years' experience in accounts receivable and/or accounts payable, including prior experience leading or supervising a team.
• Demonstrated experience managing teams across multiple locations/regions (Canada and US experience an asset).
• Strong track record of developing and reporting on KPIs and performance metrics for a finance operations team.
• Experience leading or supporting system implementations, automation initiatives, or process improvement projects (AI/automation experience an asset).
• Familiar with SOP development, process documentation, and internal controls.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; comfortable presenting reporting and performance updates to senior leadership.
• Advanced MS Excel skills.
• Previous experience with Acumatica ERP an asset but not required.
• General accounting knowledge required; formal accounting education or designation an asset.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities across two functions and two countries.