Manager, Accounts Payable

NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology); Edmonton; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Holiday time off Christmas–New Year

Job summary

NAIT is seeking a Manager of Accounts Payable to lead a team responsible for the invoice-to-payment cycle within Workday. You will ensure compliance, maintain sub-ledger integrity, and drive continuous improvement across payment controls and processes.

The role requires CPA designation, a related bachelor's degree, and at least five years in a post-secondary setting, with strong leadership and collaboration across departments.

Qualifications

• CPA designation is required.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Advanced proficiency in Workday and other institutional financial systems.
• 5 years’ related experience preferably in a post-secondary environment.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct supervision and leadership of Accounts Payable staff and has responsibility for assigning work, managing workloads, allocating resources, establishing performance expectations, and directing day-to-day operations.
• Oversees budgetary planning, resource management, and the development of strategic goals and operational priorities that align with departmental and institutional objectives.
• Oversees institutional payment execution activities, including EFT, cheque, wire transfer, employee reimbursement, and card provider settlement processes while ensuring compliance with payment terms, delegated authority requirements, and institutional payment controls.
• Maintains and oversees operational controls related to invoice processing, delegated authority, supplier payment validation, expense reimbursement components, card transaction audits, and payment approval processes.
• Oversees AP reconciliations, accruals, Goods Received Not Invoiced processes, AP sub-ledger integrity, and period-end close activities to support accurate financial reporting and institutional accounting requirements.
• Collaborates with internal departments and external suppliers to support procure-to-pay operations, resolve operational issues, investigate complex matching exceptions, and maintain effective financial service delivery across the institution.
• Oversees supplier payment inquiries, statement reconciliations, and operational issue resolution to maintain positive supplier relationships and ensure timely and accurate payment processing.
• Leads continuous improvement initiatives related to Accounts Payable operations, payment controls, workflows, and procure-to-pay processes within Workday.
• Identifies opportunities to enhance operational efficiency, strengthen internal controls, reduce processing risk, and improve stakeholder experience through process redesign and technology-enabled solutions.
• Provides leadership, coaching, and guidance to Accounts Payable staff, supports operational training and process consistency, and identifies opportunities to improve efficiency, service quality, and operational effectiveness.

Skills

Communication

Workday

Power BI

Leadership

Relationship management

Problem solving

Privacy laws

Audit standards

Education

CPA designation

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

Workday

Power BI

Job description

Ready to start your next chapter with NAIT?

At NAIT, we’re passionate about building a team of talented, dedicated professionals who share our commitment to excellence and innovation. Your skills and experience can shape the future of education and make a real impact in our community.

If this opportunity feels like the right fit for you, we encourage you to apply and join us in creating a brighter future - together.

Important Application Deadline Notice

Please note that Workday closes job postings at 11:59pm MST on the day before the posting end date listed above.

To ensure your application is received, submit no later than 11:59pm MST the day prior to the posting end date.

Internal NAIT Employees

Current NAIT employees are welcome to apply for this opportunity. To be considered, please submit your application through the NAIT Jobs Hub rather than the external career site.

Reporting to the Director, Financial Operations, the Manager, Accounts Payable supports NAIT's institutional objectives by enabling effective financial stewardship, operational efficiency, audit readiness, compliance with delegated authority and payment controls, and the delivery of consistent, reliable financial services across the institution.

This position supports the integrity of financial reporting and institutional cash disbursement processes through the effective management of Accounts Payable operations within Workday. The Manager, Accounts Payable is responsible for executing the invoice-to-payment cycle, maintaining the integrity of the Accounts Payable sub-ledger, ensuring compliance with institutional payment controls, and leading a high-performing team focused on service excellence, continuous improvement, and operational effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides direct supervision and leadership of Accounts Payable staff and has responsibility for assigning work, managing workloads, allocating resources, establishing performance expectations, and directing day-to-day operations.
• Oversees budgetary planning, resource management, and the development of strategic goals and operational priorities that align with departmental and institutional objectives.
• Oversees institutional payment execution activities, including EFT, cheque, wire transfer, employee reimbursement, and card provider settlement processes while ensuring compliance with payment terms, delegated authority requirements, and institutional payment controls.
• Maintains and oversees operational controls related to invoice processing, delegated authority, supplier payment validation, expense reimbursement compliance, card transaction audits, and payment approval processes.
• Oversees AP reconciliations, accruals, Goods Received Not Invoiced processes, AP sub-ledger integrity, and period-end close activities to support accurate financial reporting and institutional accounting requirements.
• Collaborates with internal departments and external suppliers to support procure-to-pay operations, resolve operational issues, investigate complex matching exceptions, and maintain effective financial service delivery across the institution.
• Oversees supplier payment inquiries, statement reconciliations, and operational issue resolution to maintain positive supplier relationships and ensure timely and accurate payment processing.
• Leads continuous improvement initiatives related to Accounts Payable operations, payment controls, workflows, and procure-to-pay processes within Workday.
• Identifies opportunities to enhance operational efficiency, strengthen internal controls, reduce processing risk, and improve stakeholder experience through process redesign and technology-enabled solutions.
• Provides leadership, coaching, and guidance to Accounts Payable staff, supports operational training and process consistency, and identifies opportunities to improve efficiency, service quality, and operational effectiveness.

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent time management and organization skills
• Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders
• Advanced knowledge of Workday, institutional financial systems, procure-to-pay processes, payment controls and advanced spreadsheet and reporting tools, including Power Query and Power BI
• Strong working knowledge of Canadian Auditing Standards and Internal Controls and Public Sector Accounting Standards
• Advanced knowledge of accounting principles, financial controls, procure-to-pay process, audit requirements, GST treatment, CRA regulations and institutional financial procedures
• Demonstrated ability to lead process redesign, workflow optimization, automation initiatives, and continuous improvement projects within a shared services environment.
• Proven ability to lead teams through operational transformation, technology-enabled change, and evolving business processes.
• Working knowledge of privacy legislation
• Strong leadership, problem-solving and decision-making skills

Qualifications

• Professional accounting designation (CPA) is required
• Candidates in the final stages of obtaining a CPA designation combined with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a related field will be considered
• Advanced proficiency in Workday and other institutional financial systems required
• 5 years’ related experience preferably in a post-secondary environment

Applicants with education credentials earned outside of Canada should have their credentials evaluated by World Education Services (WES), International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) or the Comparative Education Services (CES).

Remuneration:

Refer to salary range noted on this posting, plus a comprehensive benefits package

NAIT is committed to a transparent, fair, and human-centered hiring experience. All candidates are assessed directly by our recruitment and hiring teams.

About NAIT

We are known as one of Alberta’s top employers. Being part of a community that makes a difference in the lives of students, staff, industry clients and partners, NAIT’s culture reflects our shared values of respect, collaboration, celebration, creativity, and accountability.

People are what make NAIT great, and we prioritize the employee experience. For eligible positions, we offer benefits and unique perks focusing on health and wellness, work-life balance, recognition, and professional and personal growth. In addition to excellent vacation time, eligible employees receive paid time off between Christmas and New Year’s.

NAIT supports a flexible work environment, enabling staff to request approval for on-campus, off-site, or hybrid work arrangements based on the nature of the role. Please note that remote positions require employees to reside within Canada.

NAIT is committed to fostering a safe environment that supports equity and cultivates inclusion through our Centre for Community and Belonging (CCB) and our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy.