Associate Director RRFM and AP Services
About the role
Position Number: 50021613
Department: Research and Restricted Financial Management
Grade: GR16
Campus: Sir George Williams (Downtown)
Salary: $122,497.00 - $142,084.00 per annum
Union/Association/HR Policy: ACUMAE
Posting deadline: September 10, 2025
Applicants are strongly encouraged to include a cover letter expressing their interest and how their profile aligns with the role
SCOPE
Reporting to the Director, Research Financial Management, the incumbent ensures compliance and eligibility, from the opening to the final reporting stage (including but not limited to following project audit). Oversees operations of the Accounts payable unit for purposes of maintaining timely disbursements and strong relations with suppliers. The incumbent is responsible for the Research and Restricted Funds and Accounts Payable unit’s daily operations. The incumbent is expected to recommend strategic operational advice to the immediate supervisor. Networking development; Ambassador of research for the internal and external research community.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Supervise staff & key resources to ensure onboarding and training needs for new and existing employees of the unit are addressed, as well as for the effective use of systems while managing the team size to an optimal operational level, assigning work, providing direction and support, and developing training to keep staff up to date with new requirements. This responsibility extends to ensuring members of the community will liaise with incumbent for support about Research and Restricted funds management and Accounts Payable.
• Create and deliver training material to key internal stakeholders as it relates to financial information systems, research & restricted accounts, Accounts Payable and internal policies and processes. Act as liaison and resource person for internal and external stakeholders for issues related to the financial activity of research & restricted funds and Accounts Payable.
• Ensure effective compliance and eligibility of transactions on accounts and apply an audit plan to ensure controls meet external and internal agency requirements.
• Ensure all processes and systems related compliance documentation material and standard operating procedures are maintained for Accounts Payable and Research & Restricted funds. Act as the liaison with the university’s external and internal auditors to address all matters concerning internal control and documentation.
• Oversee all complexities of managing the university’s non-salary disbursement systems and ensure the efficient management of the Accounts Payable disbursements operations including overseeing vendor payments (local and foreign currencies), travel desk operations, international wire payments, tax compliance GST/QST self-assessments, vendor relationships, policy maintenance, and its related complex financial information systems, while strong internal and external service levels. Review all payments processed by AP staff over $100,000 threshold for accuracy and completeness. Manage all anomalies prior to payment issuance. Create all bank disbursements files and troubleshoot all issues related to payments (cheques/EFT/ACH/Credit Cards/wires). Monitor and troubleshoot all failed disbursements
• Review and manage transactions portfolios accurately to protect the integrity of the expenses captured withing the university’s financial statements.
• Responsible for troubleshooting payment run issues and resolve by cancelling payment run, reversing all finance postings in financial system and deciding best to re-issue to ensure prompt payments and alignment with Treasury processes.
• Review trends and transaction volumes including key performance indicators to maintain high levels of customer service to internal and external stakeholders and to meet the requirements of the Research community.
• Monitor the examining and approval of all legal documents, including grants, contracts, and financial requirements linked to the opening and closing of new projects and ensure appropriate follow-up until the final reporting and possible specific external audit from the granter.
• Review and approve journal entries, cash receipts, financial statements, invoices, and other financial aspects of projects.
• Ensure the optimization of working capital: accounts receivable, accounts payable, balance sheet reconciliation and overhead.
• Exercise periodic internal control and conduct process investigations for projects or transactions that involve financial risk.
• Plan and coordinate month-end and year-end processes to ensure timely reporting and appropriate actions on related issues.
• Develop and improve tools, ensure proper documentation of procedures & policies and recommend system innovations to enhance the management of research & restricted funds and Accounts Payable
• Develop and maintain cross-functional collaboration between Research, AP, Procurement, Accounting, DMSP, Treasury and other non-FS units to improve processes and workflow efficiencies.
• Analyze and produce financial statements for all research funds.
• Manage cash advance process related to research studies, from request, to issuance, to reconciliation to research grants.
• Ensure that fund deficits and surpluses are acted upon in compliance with internal and external policies.
• Ensure that audit files are complete and serve as a resource person for auditors.
• Perform any other tasks related to the proper functioning of the Financial Services department.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting and over seven years of relevant experience as described in the primary responsibilities; knowledge of fund accounting and supervisory experience.
• Professional accounting designation as CPA an asset
• Excellent and proven knowledge of the procure to pay cycle, General Accounting and Auditing Principles (GAAP) and provincial and federal government tax regulations.
• Advanced knowledge of financial information systems related to financial transactions
• Very good knowledge (Level 5) spoken and written English; good knowledge (Level 4) of spoken French in order to participate effectively in discussions involving the rapid exchange of ideas, basic knowledge (Level 3) of written French in order to write short factual texts
• Intermediate knowledge of Excel (able to use mathematical and financial functions) and Access (able to join tables and create crosstab queries), basic skills in Word (able to create and format documents), experience using financial information systems
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Proven exceptional analytical and research skills, as well as the ability to synthesize large
• volumes of data
• Ability to prioritize work and manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Strong ability to work under pressure with overlapping priorities and deadlines in a high-volume unit
• Highly developed interpersonal skills, with ability to lead a team
• Available to work overtime during peak periods
Due to the volume of applications, only selected candidates will be contacted by our Talent Team.
Concordia University is an English-language institution of higher learning at which the primary language of instruction and research is English. Since this position supports academic and administrative functions of the university, proficiency in English and French, as indicated, is required.
IMPORTANT: The language and computer skills of short-listed candidates will be tested.
Territorial Acknowledgement
Concordia University is located on unceded Indigenous lands. The Kanien’kehá:ka Nation is recognized as the custodians of the lands and waters on which we gather today. Tiohtià:ke/Montreal is historically known as a gathering place for many First Nations. Today, it is home to a diverse population of Indigenous and other peoples. We respect the continued connections with the past, present and future in our ongoing relationships with Indigenous and other peoples within the Montreal community.
Employment Equity
Concordia University is strongly committed to employment equity within its community, and to recruiting a diverse faculty and staff. The University encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women, members of visible minorities, Indigenous persons, members of sexual minorities, persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to diversification; candidates are invited to self-identify in their applications. As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a diversity survey. This information is voluntary and any information collected for this purpose is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources employees. Results will be aggregated and used to help Concordia achieve its goal to see all members of our community not only reflected, but welcomed, included and supported in their efforts to contribute to all areas of university life.
Accessibility
Concordia desires to increase diversity among its community members and we strive to make our recruitment processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants. If you are contacted for an interview and anticipate needing accommodations during the process, please contact, in confidence, hr-employment@concordia.ca
Immigration Status
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian and Permanent Residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada’s reporting requirements, the University is obliged to gather information about applicants’ status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens.
Associate Director RRFM and AP Services
About the role
Position Number: 50021613
Department: Research and Restricted Financial Management
Grade: GR16
Campus: Sir George Williams (Downtown)
Salary: $122,497.00 - $142,084.00 per annum
Union/Association/HR Policy: ACUMAE
Posting deadline: September 10, 2025
Applicants are strongly encouraged to include a cover letter expressing their interest and how their profile aligns with the role
SCOPE
Reporting to the Director, Research Financial Management, the incumbent ensures compliance and eligibility, from the opening to the final reporting stage (including but not limited to following project audit). Oversees operations of the Accounts payable unit for purposes of maintaining timely disbursements and strong relations with suppliers. The incumbent is responsible for the Research and Restricted Funds and Accounts Payable unit’s daily operations. The incumbent is expected to recommend strategic operational advice to the immediate supervisor. Networking development; Ambassador of research for the internal and external research community.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Supervise staff & key resources to ensure onboarding and training needs for new and existing employees of the unit are addressed, as well as for the effective use of systems while managing the team size to an optimal operational level, assigning work, providing direction and support, and developing training to keep staff up to date with new requirements. This responsibility extends to ensuring members of the community will liaise with incumbent for support about Research and Restricted funds management and Accounts Payable.
• Create and deliver training material to key internal stakeholders as it relates to financial information systems, research & restricted accounts, Accounts Payable and internal policies and processes. Act as liaison and resource person for internal and external stakeholders for issues related to the financial activity of research & restricted funds and Accounts Payable.
• Ensure effective compliance and eligibility of transactions on accounts and apply an audit plan to ensure controls meet external and internal agency requirements.
• Ensure all processes and systems related compliance documentation material and standard operating procedures are maintained for Accounts Payable and Research & Restricted funds. Act as the liaison with the university’s external and internal auditors to address all matters concerning internal control and documentation.
• Oversee all complexities of managing the university’s non-salary disbursement systems and ensure the efficient management of the Accounts Payable disbursements operations including overseeing vendor payments (local and foreign currencies), travel desk operations, international wire payments, tax compliance GST/QST self-assessments, vendor relationships, policy maintenance, and its related complex financial information systems, while strong internal and external service levels. Review all payments processed by AP staff over $100,000 threshold for accuracy and completeness. Manage all anomalies prior to payment issuance. Create all bank disbursements files and troubleshoot all issues related to payments (cheques/EFT/ACH/Credit Cards/wires). Monitor and troubleshoot all failed disbursements
• Review and manage transactions portfolios accurately to protect the integrity of the expenses captured withing the university’s financial statements.
• Responsible for troubleshooting payment run issues and resolve by cancelling payment run, reversing all finance postings in financial system and deciding best to re-issue to ensure prompt payments and alignment with Treasury processes.
• Review trends and transaction volumes including key performance indicators to maintain high levels of customer service to internal and external stakeholders and to meet the requirements of the Research community.
• Monitor the examining and approval of all legal documents, including grants, contracts, and financial requirements linked to the opening and closing of new projects and ensure appropriate follow-up until the final reporting and possible specific external audit from the granter.
• Review and approve journal entries, cash receipts, financial statements, invoices, and other financial aspects of projects.
• Ensure the optimization of working capital: accounts receivable, accounts payable, balance sheet reconciliation and overhead.
• Exercise periodic internal control and conduct process investigations for projects or transactions that involve financial risk.
• Plan and coordinate month-end and year-end processes to ensure timely reporting and appropriate actions on related issues.
• Develop and improve tools, ensure proper documentation of procedures & policies and recommend system innovations to enhance the management of research & restricted funds and Accounts Payable
• Develop and maintain cross-functional collaboration between Research, AP, Procurement, Accounting, DMSP, Treasury and other non-FS units to improve processes and workflow efficiencies.
• Analyze and produce financial statements for all research funds.
• Manage cash advance process related to research studies, from request, to issuance, to reconciliation to research grants.
• Ensure that fund deficits and surpluses are acted upon in compliance with internal and external policies.
• Ensure that audit files are complete and serve as a resource person for auditors.
• Perform any other tasks related to the proper functioning of the Financial Services department.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting and over seven years of relevant experience as described in the primary responsibilities; knowledge of fund accounting and supervisory experience.
• Professional accounting designation as CPA an asset
• Excellent and proven knowledge of the procure to pay cycle, General Accounting and Auditing Principles (GAAP) and provincial and federal government tax regulations.
• Advanced knowledge of financial information systems related to financial transactions
• Very good knowledge (Level 5) spoken and written English; good knowledge (Level 4) of spoken French in order to participate effectively in discussions involving the rapid exchange of ideas, basic knowledge (Level 3) of written French in order to write short factual texts
• Intermediate knowledge of Excel (able to use mathematical and financial functions) and Access (able to join tables and create crosstab queries), basic skills in Word (able to create and format documents), experience using financial information systems
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Proven exceptional analytical and research skills, as well as the ability to synthesize large
• volumes of data
• Ability to prioritize work and manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Strong ability to work under pressure with overlapping priorities and deadlines in a high-volume unit
• Highly developed interpersonal skills, with ability to lead a team
• Available to work overtime during peak periods
Due to the volume of applications, only selected candidates will be contacted by our Talent Team.
Concordia University is an English-language institution of higher learning at which the primary language of instruction and research is English. Since this position supports academic and administrative functions of the university, proficiency in English and French, as indicated, is required.
IMPORTANT: The language and computer skills of short-listed candidates will be tested.
Territorial Acknowledgement
Concordia University is located on unceded Indigenous lands. The Kanien’kehá:ka Nation is recognized as the custodians of the lands and waters on which we gather today. Tiohtià:ke/Montreal is historically known as a gathering place for many First Nations. Today, it is home to a diverse population of Indigenous and other peoples. We respect the continued connections with the past, present and future in our ongoing relationships with Indigenous and other peoples within the Montreal community.
Employment Equity
Concordia University is strongly committed to employment equity within its community, and to recruiting a diverse faculty and staff. The University encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women, members of visible minorities, Indigenous persons, members of sexual minorities, persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to diversification; candidates are invited to self-identify in their applications. As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a diversity survey. This information is voluntary and any information collected for this purpose is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources employees. Results will be aggregated and used to help Concordia achieve its goal to see all members of our community not only reflected, but welcomed, included and supported in their efforts to contribute to all areas of university life.
Accessibility
Concordia desires to increase diversity among its community members and we strive to make our recruitment processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants. If you are contacted for an interview and anticipate needing accommodations during the process, please contact, in confidence, hr-employment@concordia.ca
Immigration Status
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian and Permanent Residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada’s reporting requirements, the University is obliged to gather information about applicants’ status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens.