Senior Accounts Payable Specialist

Position Summary 

Reporting to the Accounting Manager, Senior Accounts Payable (AP) Specialist is responsible for overseeing the end-to-end accounts payable function while acting as the AP Team Lead and Purchaser for the organization. This role ensures accurate, timely, and compliant processing of invoices and payments, maintains strong vendor relationships, and provides leadership, guidance, and support to the AP team. 

In addition to hands-on accounts payable responsibilities, the Senior AP Specialist is accountable for reviewing work completed by the AP Specialists, optimizing AP processes, supporting month-end close activities, and coordinating purchasing activities in alignment with internal controls and operational needs. The ideal candidate brings strong technical accounting knowledge, leadership capability, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. 

Key Responsibilities 

Accounts Payable & Financial Operations 

• Oversee and perform the accurate and timely processing of high-volume accounts payable transactions, including invoice verification, coding, and entry. 

• Review and approve invoices and payment batches prepared by AP Specialists to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with company policies. 

• Prepare, review, and coordinate cheque, online, and EFT payments in accordance with payment schedules and cash flow requirements. 

• Reconcile vendor statements, investigate discrepancies, and resolve unpaid or disputed invoices in a timely manner. 

• Manage open purchase orders (POs) and reconcile with operations and vendor ledgers. 

• Support month-end and year-end close activities, including accruals, reconciliations, and reporting as required. 

• Identify, investigate, and resolve accounting issues using available financial and system data. 

 Team Leadership 

• Act as the AP Team Lead, providing day-to-day guidance, support, and direction to two AP Specialists. 

• Review team workloads, prioritize tasks, and ensure deadlines are consistently met. 

• Train, coach, and mentor AP Specialists to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and adherence to best practices. 

• Assist with onboarding and knowledge transfer for new AP team members. 

• Promote a collaborative, accountable, and continuous-improvement-oriented team culture. 

Purchasing & Vendor Management 

• Serve as the primary Purchaser, coordinating purchasing activities in alignment with internal stakeholders, budgets, and approval frameworks. 

• Liaise with internal departments to ensure purchase orders are properly authorized, issued, and aligned with operational requirements. 

• Maintain strong relationships with vendors, acting as a key point of contact for payment, purchasing, and account-related inquiries. 

• Support vendor onboarding and ensure vendor records are accurate and up to date. 

Process Improvement & Administration 

• Identify opportunities to improve AP processes, controls, and efficiencies, including automation and system enhancements. 

• Ensure AP policies, procedures, and internal controls are consistently followed. 

• Maintain accurate and organized filing (digital and physical) and supporting documentation. 

• Perform general administrative and ad-hoc tasks as assigned. 

What you bring to York 

• Post-secondary education in Accounting or Finance is preferred 

• At least 2 years’ experience in a high-volume accounts payable role  

• Experience with Yardi software is preferred 

• Experience in commercial real estate or construction is considered an asset  

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and accounting software programs 

• Ability to remain objective and maintain a factual perspective when dealing with questions and inquiries 

• Sense of urgency and able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously and meet the time demands of unpredictable activities; capable of handling pressure and challenges in a dynamic business environment 

• Strong analytical, critical thinking, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills, and a high degree of accuracy with attention to detail 

• Highly developed interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills 

• Ability to work collaboratively with a positive attitude 

Core Competencies 

• Microsoft Excel Skills 

• Systematic  

• Detail-Orientation 

• Time Management & Organization 

• Interpersonal Skills