Accounts Payable Manager

Northern Reflections; Canada; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Reflections Limited is seeking an Accounts Payable Manager to lead the AP team in a high-volume retail environment across Canadian brands. You will oversee invoice processing, payments, reconciliations, and supplier relations while ensuring internal controls and accuracy.

Reporting to Corporate Controller, you will optimize processes in Dynamics NAV/BC, support cash flow forecasting, and contribute to month-end close and audits with cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in accounts payable with leadership experience.
• Degree in Accounting/Finance or related field.
• Advanced Dynamics NAV/BC experience preferred.
• Advanced Excel skills (Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP) and data analysis.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and tax rules; vendor terms experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead AP team and manage day-to-day operations.
• Optimize AP processes for efficiency and automation.
• Enforce internal controls and SOPs; ensure accuracy.
• Oversee invoicing, payments, and vendor reconciliations.
• Assist cash flow forecasting and reporting with Finance leadership.
• Support month-end close and audits.

Skills

People leadership

Team management

Communication

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Education

Post-secondary degree in Accounting/Finance or related field

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics NAV

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Excel (Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP)

Job description

About Us

At Northern Reflections, Ricki's, and Cleo, we are united by a shared vision: to inspire and empower women through fashion that fits their lives. With a proud legacy in Canadian retail, we bring together decades of expertise, a passionate team, and a commitment to delivering exceptional style, quality, and service.

As part of our growing organization, you'll join a collaborative and dynamic team that values innovation, customer connection, and the power of great fashion. Whether it's timeless comfort, polished workwear, or versatile style, each of our brands plays a unique role in serving women across generations.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Corporate Controller, the Accounts Payable Manager leads and oversees the end-to-end accounts payable operations, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant transaction processing, disbursement management, vendor reconciliations, and financial reporting.

As a key leader within the Finance team, the AP Manager oversees the Accounts Payable staff, optimizes workflows within our Microsoft Dynamics NAV / Business Central ERP environment, strengthens internal controls, and supports cash flow management and forecasting. This role acts as a subject matter expert, serving as a critical point of contact for internal stakeholders, executive leadership, external auditors, and key vendor partners in a dynamic, high-volume environment.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Operations Management

• People Leadership: Direct, mentor, and coordinate the daily activities of the Accounts Payable team; allocate workload, set priorities, and drive high performance and accountability.
• Process Optimization: Continuously analyze AP operations to identify opportunities for efficiency, scalability, automation, and continuous improvement.
• Policy & Internal Controls: Enforce and enhance AP policies and procedures, ensure proper segregation of duties, maintain robust internal controls, and update training materials and SOPs as standards evolve.
• Troubleshooting & Support: Act as the escalation point for complex payment inquiries, system errors, and operational challenges across the team.

Accounts Payable & Cash Management

• Invoice & Payment Processing: Oversee the review, verification, and posting of merchandise and non-merchandise invoices, ensuring compliance with company policy and vendor terms.
• Disbursement Control: Manage the execution of payment runs via EFT, ACH, wire transfers, and cheques, ensuring optimal utilization of vendor discount terms and accurate cash management.
• Vendor Relationship Management: Oversee month-end vendor statement reconciliations, resolve invoice matching variances with cross-functional teams, and maintain strong, collaborative vendor relationships.
• Cash Flow Forecasting: Collaborate with Finance leadership to provide accurate accounts payable data and metrics to support daily, weekly, and monthly cash flow forecasting.

Compliance, Tax & Audit Support

• Sales & Commodity Tax: Manage sales tax liabilities and ensure strict compliance with GST/HST and applicable provincial commodity tax regulations on purchase orders and invoices.
• Audit & Reporting: Serve as the primary contact for internal/external auditors, bank auditors, and tax specialists during periodic audits and tax reviews.
• Month-End & Year-End Close: Support financial reporting close cycles by preparing AP aging analyses, accruals, account reconciliations, and variance investigations.

ERP Systems & Data Integrity

• ERP Subject Matter Expert: Serve as the department expert for Microsoft Dynamics NAV / Business Central, ensuring high data integrity, accurate GL postings, and effective workflow functionality.
• System Enhancements: Partner with IT and Finance to lead system testing, workflow optimization, and reporting enhancements within the ERP platform.

Key Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum 5+ years of progressive Accounts Payable experience, with demonstrated experience leading, supervising, or managing an AP function—preferably in a high-volume retail, multi-location, or consumer goods environment.
• Education: Post-secondary degree or diploma in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• ERP Expertise: Advanced hands‑on proficiency with Microsoft Dynamics NAV and/or Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is preferred.
• Technical Skills: Advanced Microsoft Excel capabilities (Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, data analysis, complex financial modeling).
• Financial & Tax Acumen: Sound knowledge of GAAP, sales tax legislation (GST/HST/PST), commodity tax applications, and payment terms calculations.
• Leadership & Communication: Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization and resolve sensitive payment or vendor negotiations with professionalism.
• Problem‑Solving & Analytics: Strong analytical thinking, root‑cause analysis, and decision‑making skills under pressure.
• Integrity & Precision: Exceptional attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and a high degree of personal integrity and confidentiality.

Why Join Us?

At Northern Reflections, Ricki's, and Cleo, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to iconic Canadian retail brands while working alongside a passionate and collaborative team. We offer a supportive environment where your expertise is valued, your ideas are encouraged, and your contributions help drive our continued success.

Join us and help shape the future of Canadian women's fashion.