Kanchana Sankar
Victoria,Canada
Summary
With over a decade of experience in private and public sector organizations, this results-oriented finance professional consistently delivers value and innovation in finance, strategy, and planning. Demonstrated ability to thrive in complex environments, making independent decisions with confidence. Proven track record of success in driving organizational success and thriving in challenging situations.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Accounts Payable, Manager Financial Operations
Island Health
11.2023 - Current
- Accounts Payable Management: Oversaw accurate, timely processing of over 25,000 invoices per month; ensured period- and year-end closings were completed on schedule and in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
- Policy and Compliance: Developed and maintained AP policies, ensuring alignment with Island Health, PHSA, Ministry of Health policy and regulations
- Process Improvement: Monitored and analyzed AP processes, implementing efficiency improvements that led to a 15% increase in productivity
- Cross-Department Collaboration: Partnered with Procurement, Financial Reporting, and Payroll departments to enhance payment accuracy and streamline workflows
- Vendor Relations: Managed vendor relationships, resolving payment issues and maintaining strong communication
- Contract Database Management System: Oversee all service contracts within the CMA database managing data integrity and compliance across multiple departments, including AP and contract management teams, to support Island Health’s contract lifecycle and vendor relationship standards
- Reporting and Analysis: Prepared AP reports, including aging and vendor performance metrics, to inform strategic decisions
- Audit Support: Assisted with audits, providing documentation and insights as required
- Strategic Planning: Developed service objectives aligning with Island Health’s strategic goals, representing the AP department in organizational meetings
- Staff Leadership and Development: Provided leadership to a 25-member team, setting performance goals, handling labor relations, and conducting evaluations
- Mentored junior staff in problem-solving and teamwork, enhancing team engagement and productivity
- Training and Development: Organized ongoing training and staff development within budget to ensure up-to-date knowledge and skills
- Transformation and Automation: Operational lead for the Expense Claim Project, collaborating with the project team to define and implement functional process requirements for expense claims
- Provides ongoing guidance for the Accounts Payable automation project implemention, ensuring that transformation solutions align with operational goals and enhance process efficiency
CPA Facilitator
CGA/CPA-Western Region
09.2012 - Current
- CPA Canada Facilitator and Leader: Led sessions and facilitated for CPA Canada’s Professional Education Program (PEP), serving as a panelist for Capstone 1
- Exam Support and Development: Marked exams for PREP, PEP, and CFE, with experience as Assistant Team Lead for CFE; authored task-based simulations and multiple-choice questions
- Mentorship and Collaboration: Acted as a mentor to CPA candidates and fellow facilitators, collaborating to ensure effective program delivery
Business Manager, School of Art/Desautels's Faculty of Music
University of Manitoba
01.2014 - 11.2023
- Financial Administration and Budget Management: Provides financial administration for all accounts under SOA/DFOM, exercising autonomy in budget adjustments and preparing annual budget submissions
- Assembles financial and statistical data to support the Director/Dean in budget discussions and strategic resource planning, including quarterly forecasting, variance analysis, and contributing to the alignment of strategic initiatives with budgetary goals
- Operational Oversight and Policy Compliance: Advises the Director/Dean and Associate Director/Dean on day-to-day financial management of operating, capital, trust, endowment, and research budgets
- Holds signing authority for general operating expenditures and revenues, approving travel claims and procurement in accordance with budget and policy best practices
- Budget and Budget Model Involvement: Participated in the university-wide Steering Committee on budget model reviews, contributing to the development of effective budgeting policies and practices to enhance financial planning and accountability across the institution
- Reporting and Analysis: Oversees all financial activities within the school/faculty, conducting monthly reconciliations, strategic reporting, and risk assessments for new projects
- Ensures compliance with established financial reporting standards and maintains accuracy and transparency in financial reporting to support informed decision-making
- Leadership and Team Development: Responsible for managing the SOA/DFOM office, including supervising staff and training support personnel in financial management, human resources, payroll, and purchasing
- Promotes teamwork by collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure timely project completion within budget constraints, while successfully managing organizational change initiatives
- Mentorship and Cross-Unit Collaboration: Mentors other business managers across various units, providing guidance on financial policies, best practices, and performance development to foster a collaborative environment and enhance financial management capabilities
- Committee Involvement and Communication: Serves as a resource on several school and faculty-wide committees, including the Endowment Fund Advisory Committee and the Curriculum Innovation Fund
- Actively contributes to university-wide committees focused on EDI, anti-racism, and HR policies, providing input for bargaining committees and fostering a culture of communication and collaboration
Finance Officer, Northern Medical Unit, CHS- Faculty of Medicine
University of Manitoba
03.2013 - 01.2014
- Financial Management: Managed financial accounts and records totaling approximately $20 million, ensuring accuracy and compliance through meticulous scrutiny of monthly general ledgers and initiating corrective actions as needed
- Budget Planning and Control: Participated in budget planning, preparation, and control; developed line-by-line budget projections and proposals for contract negotiations and funding proposals, analyzing current rates, trends, and forecasts for various financial elements
- Reporting and Presentation: Created and prepared presentation materials and reports for management and agency meetings, contributing to informed decision-making and strategic negotiations
- Payment Approval and Compliance: Reviewed and approved stipend payments for a range of healthcare professionals, ensuring compliance with financial policies and procedures
- Procurement and Resource Management: Established supply requirements for goods and services, approving all purchases and maintenance of supplies and equipment; managed requests in the EPIC system
- Travel Reporting Support: Acted as a unit expert for Concur, assisting staff in submitting travel reports and ensuring adherence to financial guidelines
- Advisory Role: Aided the Director of the Unit in financial matters and advised other departmental units on financial policies and procedures, overseeing budgets for additional units as assigned
Account Analyst, Financial Services
University of Manitoba
02.2012 - 03.2013
- Tuition Revenue Analysis and Reporting: Assists in the analysis and preparation of annual budgets and reports concerning tuition revenue for all faculties, including year-end reports and projections
- Revenue Allocation and Coordination: Allocates tuition revenue to faculties through monthly journal entries and budget adjustments
- Collaborates with the Registrar's office and faculties to set up detailed codes related to tuition
- Account Reconciliation and Reporting: Prepares daily reconciliations of the accounts receivable (AR) sub-ledger to general ledger accounts for student accounts, along with monthly aged analyses of student fees by session
- Reconciles approximately 200 operating fund balance sheet accounts and monitors over 70 clearing accounts used for processing deposits and charges
- Error Identification and Correction: Identifies errors and omissions in feed documents, taking corrective actions as needed
- Journalizes and reconciles bank transactions and returned cheque accounts
- Forecasting and Reporting to Ministry: Prepares quarterly financial forecasting and reporting to the regulator, consolidating data from all units
- Conducts variance analysis to ensure accurate and timely submissions, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements
- Collaboration and Communication: Provides information to student AR accountants and creates monthly statements to send to affiliated organizations, ensuring clear communication and coordination across departments
Staff Accountant, Financial Services
University of Manitoba
01.2011 - 02.2012
- Accounts Receivable Management: Oversees the reporting process for both non-student and student accounts receivable, ensuring accuracy and compliance
- Invoice Collection Process: Manages the collection process for outstanding invoices, generating monthly reminder notices in Argos to notify customers
- Training and Support: Provides training and direct support to university units on issuing invoices, collection follow-up, and applying taxes (GST and PST) to enhance efficiency in the AR process
- Account Reconciliation: Reconciles the non-student AR control account to the sub-ledger, ensuring financial accuracy and integrity
- Additional Duties: Handles various tasks, including processing refunds, managing customer setup in FAST AR, applying payments to the sub-ledger, and reconciling clearing accounts
- Transaction Oversight: Journalizes and reconciles bank transactions and returned cheque accounts, reviewing for errors in transactions and journal entries
- Training Sessions: Conducts training sessions related to FAST AR, equipping staff with the knowledge needed to manage AR effectively
Junior Accountant
Park Road Pharmacy
02.2006 - 05.2007
- Company Overview: This shop provides dispensing services and offers a diverse selection of alternative remedies and beauty products available for online procurement
- Financial Management: Prepared monthly accounts to ensure accurate financial reporting
- Managed the full accounts payable cycle by matching vendor invoices to internal purchase orders for accuracy and maintaining a filing system for canceled cheques
- Set sale prices for products sold online, contributing to pricing strategy
- Sales Analysis: Conducted profit analysis of internet sales for the pharmacy, providing insights into the performance of online offerings
- This shop provides dispensing services and offers a diverse selection of alternative remedies and beauty products available for online procurement
Accounting Technician
Kirloskar AAF Ltd
07.1996 - 04.1998
- Annual Budget Preparation: Developed the annual budget for the branch, ensuring alignment with financial goals and resource allocation
- Office Accounts Maintenance: Managed office accounts, including petty cash and bank balances, to maintain accurate financial records
- Accounts Payable Cycle: Oversaw the full accounts payable cycle by matching vendor invoices to internal purchase orders for accuracy and maintaining a filing system for canceled cheques
- Accounts Receivable Management: Managed accounts receivable, ensuring timely contract invoicing and following up with clients at each payment stage based on reports from head office
- Bank Liaison: Acted as a liaison with the bank to secure funding for various projects, facilitating financial support for branch initiatives
Accounts Payable clerk
Kirloskar AAF Ltd
07.1994 - 07.1996
- Matched vendor invoices to internal purchase orders to verify accuracy
- Communicated with Purchasing Department and Vendors related to payable variances
- Maintained filing system for cancelled cheques
Education
CPA, CGA -
05.2012
Diploma in Financial Management -
National Open School of Management Studies
01.1997
Bachelor of Commerce -
University of Madras
05.1993
Intermediate Level -
Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India
01.1992
Skills
- Financial Analysis and Reporting
- Business and Strategic Planning
- Budgeting and Forecasting
- Project Planning
- Business process improvements
- HR and change management
- Team Building Leadership
Volunteer Experience
- Human Values Educator and Tax Preparation Volunteer, Satya Sai Center of Winnipeg, Teaches human values to children., Provides tax preparation assistance for community members.
- Volunteer, Winnipeg Harvest, Assists in food distribution and community outreach efforts.
- Panel Member, CPA Capstone Courses, Contributes expertise as a panelist.
Timeline
Accounts Payable, Manager Financial Operations
Island Health
11.2023 - Current
Business Manager, School of Art/Desautels's Faculty of Music
University of Manitoba
01.2014 - 11.2023
Finance Officer, Northern Medical Unit, CHS- Faculty of Medicine
University of Manitoba
03.2013 - 01.2014
CPA Facilitator
CGA/CPA-Western Region
09.2012 - Current
Account Analyst, Financial Services
University of Manitoba
02.2012 - 03.2013
Staff Accountant, Financial Services
University of Manitoba
01.2011 - 02.2012
Junior Accountant
Park Road Pharmacy
02.2006 - 05.2007
Accounting Technician
Kirloskar AAF Ltd
07.1996 - 04.1998
Accounts Payable clerk
Kirloskar AAF Ltd
07.1994 - 07.1996
Diploma in Financial Management -
National Open School of Management Studies
Bachelor of Commerce -
University of Madras
Intermediate Level -
Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India
CPA, CGA -
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