Accounts Payable Specialist

Accounts Payable Specialist

Finance & Accounts - Bucharest (Hybrid)

Job Title - Accounts Payable Specialist

Location: Bucharest, Romania

Business unit: Finance

Job type: Full time, permanent

Working arrangement: Hybrid

Why QS?

At QS, we believe that work should empower you. That’s why we foster a flexible working environment that encourages every employee to own their career whilst thriving personally and professionally. Our company values underpin everything we do – we collaborate, respect and support each other.

It’s our mission to empower motivated people around the world to fulfil their potential through higher education, ensuring that everyone has access to opportunities that change lives.

Our diversity makes us stronger. By sharing our experiences, we learn from one another and achieve more together, driving progress across the sector.

At QS, you’ll be responsible for implementing real change in the international higher education landscape. You’ll take on meaningful challenges that see a positive impact across the business and the wider sector.

We’re confident you’ll feel right at home here. QS was named as one of Newsweek’s Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces® in the UK (October 2023), recognising the respect, trust and appreciation that drive our culture every day. And as a gold-accredited Investors in People organisation – putting us among the top 28% of workplaces globally – it’s official: QS is a place where everyone can thrive.

The role

As a Global Accounts Payable Specialist with expertise in Finance & Accounts Payable, you will be responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, supporting global financial operations, and ensuring timely and efficient processing of accounts payable activities. You will work closely with the finance team across regions to streamline financial processes and ensure compliance with accounting standards, tax regulations, and corporate policies. The right person will be open to a flexible approach to this very interesting and demanding role.

Role responsibilities

Accounts Payable (AP) Management:

• Process vendor invoices, ensuring accuracy, approval, and proper coding to general ledger accounts.
• Oversee and manage end-to-end PO (Purchase Order) process, ensuring timely and accurate issuance, approval and proper coding, instructions. Daily monitoring open POs.
• Manage timely payments to vendors while adhering to internal policies and payment schedules.
• Reconcile AP sub-ledgers to ensure accurate reporting and resolve discrepancies with vendors.
• Prepare weekly and monthly accounts payable reports and aging analysis.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to address inquiries related to vendor accounts and payments.

Compliance & Internal Controls:

• Ensure compliance with internal control policies, including the processing and recording of transactions in accordance with company guidelines.
• Address and escalate instances of non-compliance to ensure efficient resolution and prevent recurrence for internal policies including, but not limited to: PO, Travel and expenses, Corporate Card usage
• Assist in internal and external audits, providing necessary documentation and support to auditors.
• Work with the tax and legal teams to ensure compliance with global tax regulations and assist with tax filings where applicable.

Vendor and Supplier Management:

• Build and maintain relationships with key vendors and suppliers, ensuring smooth communication and resolving payment issues.
• Assist in contract review and payment terms negotiation with global vendors.
• Ensure all vendor documents are correct and complete.

Travel and Expenses:

• Handle and ensure the expense reimbursement requests are in accordance with the QS policies
• Ensure that payments to employees are processed timely.
• Assist the Qsers who are travelling with any travel or expenses queries

Process Improvement & Automation:

• Support the implementation of finance automation tools, particularly within the accounts payable function, to improve workflow efficiency.
• Assist in developing and refining financial processes to ensure standardization across global operations.
• Participate in special projects, including the development of reports, improving systems integrations, and data analysis.
• Any other duties that fall within the purpose and scope of the role.

Key skills and experience

• Proven ability to be an excellent AP specialist through professional experience in accounts payable and finance operations
• Experience in global environment and familiarity with multi-currency / location transactions and
• Education experience - bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Proficiency in both written and spoken English.
• Assertive with good inter-personal skills to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders globally at all seniority levels.
• Responsible, proactive in problem-solving, independent and committed to deliver with integrity, and understand the importance of confidentiality.
• Able to multi-task with high attention to details and open to work flexibly under tight deadlines and change focus as priorities evolve.
• Positive outlook with heaps of enthusiasm, commitment to continuous self-development and infectious self-drive to ensure we continue to achieve our objectives.

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, Oracle).
• Strong Excel skills (VLOOKUP, pivot tables) for financial data analysis.

So, who are we and what do we do?

QS is the world leader in higher education services, analytics, insights and intelligence. From consultancy to student mobility, academic partnerships to branding solutions, our services power both institutional and individual success.

We’re behind the world’s most widely read university rankings (Meltwater 2023). Our QS World University Rankings® reach hundreds of millions, shaping decisions and guiding futures.

Since launching in 1990, our impact and influence have only grown. Today, we work with more than 2,000 of the world’s leading higher education institutions, over 12,000 employers, and governments seeking change and socioeconomic development through higher education.

Join QS and you’ll join an 800-strong community of problem-solvers, creators, collaborators and change-makers based in 40+ countries and 11 international offices, including Australia, Malaysia, India, Romania, Singapore, France, Germany, the USA and our headquarters in London.

With every talented new hire, business acquisition and bold initiative, we’re strengthening our reach and delivering even greater value to institutions and learners worldwide. Are you ready to shape the future of higher education?

We take investing in our people very seriously.

As standard you will have:

• Competitive base salary
• Access to an annual bonus scheme (for qualifying roles only)
• 21 days annual leave
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Unicredit Bank Partnership
• Meal tickets
• Medical subscription to Regina Maria
• A vibrant social environment and multicultural and multinational culture

But that’s not all. Outside of these standard benefits we also offer resources to allow professional growth, and wellness initiatives to nurture a healthy mindset:

• Free subscription to the Calm App – the #1 app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation
• A focus on welfare which is led by our global wellness team, with mental health first aiders globally
• Access to a variety of diversity and inclusion initiatives and groups
• Strong recognition and reward programs – including a peer-to-peer recognition platform, quarterly and annual QS Applaud Awards, Connect with your Career annual PD event
• Support for volunteering and study leave
• Free subscription to LinkedIn learning – with over 5000 courses and programmes at your fingertips
• Options to join our outstanding global Mentorship programme

Like what you’ve heard? Great, apply now!

As a candidate, we know the application and interview process can be daunting and so it’s important that you have a great experience with us. Our dedicated Talent Team will work hard to ensure you are fully informed at all stages and you are really excited by this opportunity to do meaningful work in the education space.

Equal opportunities

QS Quacquarelli Symonds is proud to be a fair and equal organisation where everyone has the same opportunity to achieve their full potential, irrespective of their background or personal attributes. We celebrate our diversity and believe through sharing our experiences we can learn from one another, be stronger together, and enable our business to thrive.