Accounts Payable Accountant Full Time NEW

About the University of Sharjah

The University of Sharjah is committed to providing a world-class educational experience that prepares lifelong learners and leaders with integrated knowledge and skills. We are passionate about building a collaborative and sustainable environment that cultivates twenty-first-century skills and fosters pioneering research and scholarship. We seek to serve the current and future needs of our local community and beyond by offering innovative academic and professional programs.

Since its foundation in 1997, the University has successfully become one of the top Universities in the UAE and has managed to make its mark in the educational and research industry worldwide united by six core values: Integrity and Ethics, Dedication, Inclusiveness, Excellence with limitless Drive, Accountability and Transparency, and Innovation and Creativity.

The University of Sharjah believes in the crucial role of scientific research in the development of the modern United Arab Emirates. Since its establishment, the university has put research at the top of its list of priorities. Part of the university’s strategy is to promote research among faculty members in all colleges, with the aim of attracting outstanding faculty with impressive research accomplishments.

The University of Sharjah’s Rankings:

• 251-300 in Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023
• Among the top 200 universities globally (176-200) in The World University Rankings 2023 by Subjects
• Among the best #121 universities in Asia In News Best Global Universities Rankings 2022/2023
• 89th in The Young University Rankings in 2022
• 61 The Emerging Economies University Rankings in 2022
• Among the top 10 best Arab universities The Arab University Rankings 2022

About the Role

As the Accountant – Account Payable and a member of the Finance Department team, you will need to complete payments and control expenses by receiving payments, plus processing, verifying, and reconciling invoices, and highlighting the day-to-day management of all payment cycle activities in a timely and efficient manner. As well as to support the integrity of accounting and financial decision-making information by recording, verifying, consolidating and reporting financial data and transactions.

Main accountabilities & expectations:

• Review and understand all relevant policies and procedures in order to be able to carry out daily work tasks as expected, and answer all stakeholder inquiries, clarifications, or any assistance related to the Accounts Payable Section accurately and efficiently. As well as contribute to the development of new or amended accounting systems, programs, and procedures.
• Assemble, review and verify invoices and check requests. As well as charge expenses to the relative accounts and cost centers by analyzing invoice/expense reports and recording entries.
• Match purchase orders to invoices and enter invoices into the dedicated financial system in order to set invoices up for payment. In addition to monitoring the status of invoices, and coordinating with other departments/colleges and suppliers to ensure that payments have been completed in a timely manner.
• Sort, code and match invoices, and enter them into the Banner System using the correct organization and accounting codes.
• Complete payments to vendors by monitoring discount opportunities, scheduling and preparing cheques, resolving purchase orders, contracts, invoices, or payment discrepancies and documentation; ensuring credit is received for outstanding memos, issuing stop-payments or purchase order amendments.
• Complete payments to employees by receiving and verifying expense reports for advances, preparing cheques, following up on the approval and signature process, and ensuring that payments are delivered accurately.
• Disburse the allocated petty cash to colleges and departments by recording entries and verifying any required documentation.
• Reconcile accounts payable transactions and process work by verifying entries and comparing system reports to balances. As well as flag and clarify any unusual or questionable invoice items or prices, and assist in resolving any invoice discrepancies or issues.
• Maintain accounting ledgers by verifying and posting account transactions to journals, ledgers and other related records, and audit all transactions in order to maintain the accuracy of information.
• Provide the necessary assistance and support to the line manager and other team members in ensuring the department/college KPIs are achieved successfully by gathering the necessary data, preparing progress reports and implementing the necessary action plans.
• Ensure compliance with internal financial and accounting procedures and UOS bylaws at all times and report any matters of concern to the line manager. As well as ensure the security, integrity and confidentiality of any incoming or outgoing financial information/data.
• Train, coach, and provide technical/practical expertise to new employees in any related Accounts Payable processes to ensure they acknowledge and understand their responsibilities and tasks.
• Coordinate and communicate effectively with internal and external customers/suppliers/vendors in order to complete work tasks, answer questions and provide assistance.
• Generate relevant reports and ensure that they are prepared in a timely and accurate manner, and meet the department’s requirements and standards.
• Complete any other job-related tasks as assigned by the line manager within the expected time limit.

Required Skills:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to prepare professional documents, in both Arabic and English.
• Excellent working knowledge of personal computer applications with an emphasis on MS office applications such as Excel, Word, and Teams.
• Strong understanding of finance and accounting principles, processes and best practices.
• Good interpersonal skills with a customer service focus.
• Ability to act and operate independently with minimal supervision.
• Time management skills.
• Problem-solving skills and results orientated.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to deal with stressful situations leading to resolution.
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple tasks and produce reports under strict guidelines.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• High integrity and openness combined with a commitment to good governance.
• Works as a competent member of the team, willingly providing backup support for co-workers when appropriate and actively supporting group goals.

Desirable Requirements:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a relevant discipline.
• A professional qualification as a chartered accountant or qualified member of an accountancy body (e.g. CMA, ACCA, CIMA, ICAS, etc.).
• 4-6 years of UAE experience in a similar role preferably in higher education institutions.