Financial Services Officer - Accounts Payable

Discover

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Controller, the Financial Services Officer - Accounts Payable is responsible for the processing, balancing and payment of all invoices and payments owed by NSCAD University. This position is a key component of our internal control structure. The FSO - AP issues weekly cheques, ensures that all purchase orders are up-to-date, posts all invoices and determines when to pay bills and whether or not spending is properly authorized.

What you'll do

Responsibilities

• Process and audit accounts payable transactions, including invoices, honorariums, travel claims, reimbursements, petty cash, and other payment requests, ensuring appropriate approvals, documentation, tax treatment, and compliance with University policies.
• Manage the Accounts Payable subledger, including vendor statement reconciliation, timely payment processing, cheque runs, outstanding cheque monitoring, and reconciliation of the subledger to the General Ledger.
• Administer the University's purchase order process, including PO encumbrances, approvals, receipts, outstanding and cancelled POs, troubleshooting, distribution, and follow-up with departments and purchasers.
• Monitor and administer employee allowances, travel and cash advances, grants, and other expenditures to ensure accurate tracking and compliance with University policies and collective agreements.
• Prepare monthly financial reconciliations and reports, including Facilities expenditures, petty cash, prepaid accounts, and other General Ledger accounts.
• Prepare and submit the University's monthly HST returns and CRA remittances, and process foreign exchange drafts, wire transfers, manual cheques, and other banking transactions.
• Maintain accurate vendor, student, and employee financial information within Colleague and related systems, including establishing and updating vendor accounts and banking-related information.
• Maintain capital asset records and supporting documentation, and provide financial records, reconciliations, trial balances, and other documentation required for internal and external audits.
• Coordinate banking and cash-handling activities, including deposits, money orders, petty cash, cheque distribution, and related documentation.
• Provide financial and purchasing support across the University, including training users on purchasing processes, resolving procurement and vendor issues, supporting customs clearances, reviewing telecommunications expenditures, and preparing ad hoc financial reports and projects.

Note: These are the primary duties of the position; duties related to this job may be assigned from time to time as may become necessary to the operation of NSCAD University. Changing circumstances for the university may require modifications to positions and position descriptions in the future.

What you'll need

Qualifications

Completion of Grade 12 and a one-year diploma in accounting combined with at least three (3) years of related experience or equivalent education and experience is required.

Proficiency in typing, business machines (fax, photocopiers, and calculator) and computer is necessary.

Accuracy and the ability to adhere to strict deadlines are required. Very good interpersonal skills, an ability to communicate effectively, and well developed organizational and time management skills are required.

The incumbent must be able to work with frequent interruptions and be capable of handling and maintaining concentration on several different duties at one time

A little bit about us

NSCAD University

NSCAD University and Halifax are in Mi'kma'ki, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq Nation. NSCAD University is committed to reconciliation and to building respectful relationships with Indigenous peoples and with the African Nova Scotian communities that have been enriching this region for 400 years. As a small school with three urban campuses, and programs across a range of fine arts, craft, design, and media arts, NSCAD University is an incubator for talent and an active contributor to the arts scene in Canada's fastest-growing city. Since 1887, NSCAD has been a leader in visual arts education in Canada, with distinguished alumni building careers all over the world.

Are you interested?

Work With Us

Applications should be sent via the CareerBeacon website. Applications should include a cover letter and detailed CV.

Deadline for applications: The University will begin considering applicants on October 15, 2026. We appreciate all applicants, however only those selected to move forward in the competition will be contacted. This position is being advertised internally and externally concurrently. Bargaining unit employees for NSGEU Local 82 are given first consideration. We appreciate all applicants, however only those selected to move forward in the competition will be contacted. Please note that this is a temporary position until January 2028.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority in this search. NSCAD university encourages applications from Indigenous persons, racially visible persons, persons with a disability, women, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community.