Head of Accounts Payable Section

About This Role

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 Head of Accounts Payable Section and a member of the Finance Department team, you are expected to ensure that the department operates smoothly, maintain accurate and complete payment records related to suppliers, lenders, and employees in a timely and efficient manner, and process payments from clients as per the University of Sharjah's policies and procedures. As well as manage, develop and motivate the section's team members.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Monitor day-to-day Accounts Payable activities, and ensure that business processes and workflows are executed correctly and efficiently. As well as ensure that job tasks are distributed between team members fairly and professionally.

2. Lead the development and execution of the Accounts Payable section's processes and procedures, and ensure that they are in alignment with best practices and UOS's requirements.

3. Manage the accounts payable process, ensuring that all payments related to external clients, suppliers, and vendors are settled in a timely and efficient manner.

4. Ensure compliance with all contractual payment policy terms and conditions, and report any matters of concern to the line manager for immediate action.

5. Maintain and control all accounts payable data to meet the requirements of internal and external auditors, and ensure the accuracy of financial statements to ensure conformity of information to acceptable standards.

6. Supervise invoice transactions including receipt of invoices, verification, record of transaction, and direct expense. As well as follow up where the authorization to pay has not been provided in order to ensure that payments are completed in a timely manner.

7. Examine all vouchers posted and address any issues related to the accounts payable process to ensure their resolution, as well as prepare any related documentation and clarifications required by the Compliance and Internal Audit Office

8. Ensure that vendor invoices are properly approved and in line with the official contracts, resolve all payments or billing issues with vendors, as well as review and post vendor's payments in the Banner System.

9. Provide leadership to the section's team in order to build and develop their organizational capabilities, provide them with development opportunities, as well as report on their performance.

10. Participate in the hiring process for the section including identifying job requirements, sorting and reviewing candidate resumes, and contributing to the selection and interview process in order to ensure the best and most suitable candidates are selected for the available vacancies.

11. Support the director in the development of the Finance department's KPIs by providing professional input and advice on developing and achieving the relevant KPIs. As well as report on the section's progress, and prepare the necessary action plans to the director. In addition to ensuring that each team member has a good understanding of the section's KPIs and how their roles impact their achievement.

12. Assist the director in the Finance Department's projects that help support and improve the department and the university in general, and supervise the project team when needed to ensure each member completes their work tasks accurately and on time.

13. Participate in the preparation of the department's annual budget, in collaboration with the director and other heads, and track the section's expenditures and ensure they are within the limits of the budget.

14. Prepare various reports, analyses and statistics related to the Accounts Payable section when requested by the line manager.

15. Complete any other job-related tasks as assigned by the line manager within the expected time limit.

Job Requirements:

▪ Minimum of bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a relevant discipline.

▪ A professional qualification as a chartered accountant or qualified member of an accountancy body (e.g. CIMA, ACCA, ICAS, etc.)

▪ 12-14 years of UAE experience in a similar role preferably in higher education institutions.

▪ Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to prepare professional documents, in both Arabic and English.

▪ Financial accounting and management skills.

▪ Ability to work collaboratively across departmental functions.

▪ Demonstrate a good understanding of operating the required ERP system/software (e.g. Banner).

▪ Excellent leadership skills.

▪ Time management skills

▪ Analytical and critical thinking.

▪ Excellent attention to detail and problem-solving skills.

▪ Clear presentation skills and ability to influence.

▪ Experience in managing teams including the development and delivery of on-the-job training and mentoring.

▪ Ability to work with diverse business units and to quickly adapt and understand key business challenges.

Closing Date: 16/May/2026