Accounts Payable Assistant

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough in Columbia, SC, seeks an Accounts Payable Assistant to support the Finance team with accurate vendor payments and reimbursements. The role requires attention to detail in a fast-paced professional services environment and a strong foundation in accounting and internal controls.

Preferred candidates have 2–3+ years AP experience, including wire transfers, and are proficient in Excel and accounting systems, with excellent communication and discretion.

Qualifications

• 2–3+ years accounts payable experience, ideally in a law firm or professional services
• Hands-on experience processing wire transfers
• Strong understanding of accounting fundamentals and internal controls
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and accounting systems
• Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, organization and time management
• Excellent written and verbal communication with discretion and professionalism

Responsibilities

• Review, code, and process vendor invoices per firm policy
• Prepare and execute payment batches (checks, ACH, wire transfers)
• Validate wire instructions and resolve discrepancies or errors
• Maintain and update vendor records for accuracy and compliance
• Assist with expense processing and reimbursement workflows
• Support month-end close activities for accounts payable
• Identify opportunities to improve AP processes and internal controls

Skills

Attention to detail

Microsoft Excel

Accounting systems

Verbal & written communication

Tools

Banking platforms

Accounting software

Job description

Nelson Mullins is seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Accounts Payable Assistant to join our Columbia office. This role is an integral part of our Finance team, supporting the firm’s operations by ensuring the accurate and timely processing of vendor payments and expense reimbursements. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, professional services environment, brings strong technical accounting skills, and demonstrates a commitment to accuracy, confidentiality, and client service excellence.

In this role, you will be responsible for reviewing, coding, and processing vendor invoices in accordance with firm policies and procedures, as well as preparing and executing payment batches, including checks, ACH transactions, and both domestic and international wire transfers. You will validate wire instructions and promptly resolve any discrepancies, rejected payments, or banking errors. Additionally, you will maintain and update vendor records, ensuring accurate documentation and compliance with internal controls. The role also involves partnering with attorneys, administrative staff, and vendors to address and resolve invoice and payment inquiries, assisting with expense processing and reimbursement workflows, and supporting month-end closing activities related to accounts payable. You will also play a key role in continuous improvement efforts by identifying opportunities to enhance accounts payable processes and strengthen internal controls.

The ideal candidate will bring two to three or more years of accounts payable experience, ideally within a law firm or professional services environment, along with hands-on experience processing wire transfers and working with banking platforms. A strong understanding of accounting fundamentals and internal controls is essential, as is proficiency in Microsoft Excel and accounting systems. Success in this role requires exceptional attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and financial processing, as well as strong organizational and time management skills to effectively prioritize competing deadlines. The candidate should also possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, a service-oriented mindset, and the ability to handle sensitive information with the utmost discretion and professionalism.

With more than 1,000 attorneys, policy advisors, e-discovery professionals and other business professionals across offices in California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, and throughout North Carolina and South Carolina, Nelson Mullins has strong roots in the business community and an appreciation for new directions in the business world.