Payables Accountant (Contract)

Ocean Wise Conservation Association’s Finance Department has an exciting employment opportunity for an accounts payable position with some administrative duties, ideal for a recent accounting diploma graduate. As our Finance department is high volume and fast paced, we are seeking a detail oriented individual who works well under pressure and can manage competing deadlines.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Payables Accountant is responsible for processing invoices and payments for Ocean Wise and performs period-end functions with respect to payables. This role maintains payables & purchasing systems, provides technical assistance to staff regarding payables policy & procedures, manages credit cards, and provides administrative support to the Finance Team.

Please note that this is a one year contract position.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Accurately process various invoices by:

• Verifying invoice amounts, ensuring proper authorization and coding of invoices, cheque requests, travel advances and expense reports;
• Entering invoices and data into the accounting system;
• Working with the operational staff to solve invoice discrepancies;
• Contacting vendors to resolve invoice and account discrepancies;
• Self-assessing for provincial sales tax where applicable;
• Accounting for foreign exchange on invoices.

Accurately process various payment runs by:

• Producing cheque and EFT runs for authorization;
• Processing wire payments;
• Processing credit card payments.

Performs period-end functions by:

• Journalizing period-end payables entries;
• Reconciling vendor accounts and certain receivable accounts;
• Entering purchasing data into consulting contract billing template.

Maintains payables and purchasing systems by:

• Maintaining vendors in the payables module of the financial system;
• Maintaining and monitoring corporate credit card usage;
• Maintaining RBC Wire Templates.

Provides technical assistance to staff by:

• Ensuring compliance with purchasing policies set out by the organization;
• Providing guidance to staff with respect to GST, PST, and other applicable tax treatment of purchases and/or services;
• Providing technical assistance to other departments with respect to purchasing procedures, including but not limited training sessions;
• Problem solving with staff with respect to methods of payment and emergency purchases;
• Maintaining online credit card system;
• Reviewing and providing direction to staff with respect to the use of account codes;
• Providing information to staff with respect to invoice, vendor and payment history.

Performs administrative duties:

• Maintaining office supply inventory and ordering supplies as required;
• Updating Finance Sharepoint page;
• Provide administrative support to CFO and Finance team.

Consciously desires to improve Ocean Wise and its processes by:

• Promptly aiding in Emergency protocol;
• Maintaining organizational safety standards;
• Continually improving our impact on the environment and greening of operations through the support of our Environmental Management System (EMS) protocols;
• Performing related duties and special projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Completion of an accounting diploma program or equivalent;
• Computer experience with a recognized accounting package;
• Experience with MS Office, specifically Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint;
• Preferred experience with Point of Sale software programs.

Technical Competencies:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
• Excellent organizational and system skills;
• Detail and deadline oriented;
• Ability to process large volumes in a quick and accurate manner;
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and also in a team environment;
• Ability to multi-task while maintaining highest standards of accuracy and quality;
• Ability to work in high pressure situations in a calm and organized manner;
• Strong PC skills are necessary as the incumbent uses a PC for a variety of operational, data management and related activities;
• Active demonstration of the company’s values and mission.

Working Conditions:

• The incumbent will work in a shared office environment with the usual ergonomic risks;
• Regular office hours with some overtime as required.