Accounts Payable Manager

Polsinelli; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Polsinelli is seeking an Accounts Payable Manager to lead the Firm’s AP function and drive process improvements across the organization. The role involves team leadership, internal controls, and collaboration with attorneys, staff, and leadership.

The ideal candidate will have 5+ years of AP experience in a large professional services setting, strong communication skills, and proficiency with Elite 3E and Chrome River.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of progressively responsible Accounts Payable experience in a large professional services or law firm environment.
• Experience leading or managing employees with coaching, performance management, and development responsibilities.
• Strong knowledge of Accounts Payable processes, controls, and payment practices.
• Experience with financial/expense management systems; familiarity with Elite and Chrome River preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with attorneys, staff, leadership, vendors, and colleagues across departments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Firm's Accounts Payable function with adherence to policies, controls, service standards, and objectives.
• Coach and mentor AP team members, fostering accountability and professional growth.
• Ensure timely, accurate disbursement of payments and AP activities.
• Oversee vendor invoices, payments, statements, and file maintenance; provide escalation support as needed.
• Coordinate client trust disbursements, foreign vendor payments, tax reviews, and 1099 reporting.
• Build strong relationships across the Firm; translate AP requirements for financial and non-financial audiences.
• Serve as AP system lead for Emburse/ChromeRiver and Elite 3E; guide system administration and Firmwide support.
• Partner with Accounting, IT, and vendors on system implementations and process changes.
• Lead AP audit responses and provide documentation and analysis as required.

Skills

Accounts Payable

Leadership

Communication

Process Improvement

Cross-Functional

Attention to Detail

Customer Service

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Elite 3E

Chrome River

Job description

Polsinelli does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or agencies. Please, no phone calls or emails.

At Polsinelli,What a Law Firm Should Beis not just our tagline, it is what we live every day. We strive to create an environment where our team members are encouraged to bring their creativity and professional passions into the workplace so that they can thrive. Are you a people person who has a keen eye for detail, thrives in a professional environment, and wants to be part of a dynamic team? We have the perfect role for an engaging professional like you!

Polsinelli is seeking an Accounts Payable Manager to lead the Firm’s Accounts Payable function. This position is responsible for the effective management of Accounts Payable operations, team leadership and development, internal controls, systems, process improvement, and service delivery across the Firm.

The Accounts Payable Manager will serve as a key point of contact between Accounts Payable and attorneys, professional staff, Firm leadership, Accounting and Finance teams, and other departments throughout the Firm. Success in this role requires strong technical knowledge, sound judgment, a customer service-oriented mindset, and the ability to communicate effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage the Accounts Payable function with responsibility for adherence to Firm policies, procedures, internal controls, service standards, and operational objectives.
• Lead, develop, coach, and mentor Accounts Payable team members, promoting accountability, collaboration, professional growth, and a positive, team-oriented environment.
• Establish priorities, coordinate workloads and schedules, and ensure the timely and accurate completion of Accounts Payable activities.
• Ensure effective processes and controls are maintained for the timely and accurate disbursement of payments.
• Oversee vendor invoice and payment processing, vendor statement research and follow-up, and vendor file maintenance, providing direct support and escalation assistance as needed.
• Oversee and provide guidance for client trust disbursements, foreign vendor payments, sales and use tax review, and 1099 reporting.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships across the Firm, serving as a trusted resource for attorneys, professional staff, leadership, Accounting and Finance teams, and other departments on Accounts Payable matters.
• Communicate clearly, proactively, and professionally across departments, offices, and levels of the Firm, translating Accounts Payable processes, requirements, and issues into practical and understandable information for both financial and non-financial audiences.
• Respond to and resolve internal and external inquiries in an effective, timely, and professional manner, including issues requiring coordination among multiple departments or stakeholders.
• Develop a strong understanding of how Accounts Payable processes affect other departments and Firm operations and proactively identify opportunities to improve the experience of internal clients and stakeholders.
• Evaluate existing processes and controls and lead the implementation of improvements that increase efficiency, accuracy, timeliness, scalability, and service quality.
• Serve as a functional leader for key Accounts Payable systems, including Emburse/ChromeRiver and Elite 3E, and make informed decisions regarding system administration, functionality, and Firmwide support.
• Partner with Accounting, Finance, IT, vendors, and other stakeholders on system implementations, testing, upgrades, and process changes.
• Lead and coordinate Accounts Payable audit requests and provide documentation, analysis, and support as required.
• Exercise sound judgment and appropriate discretion when handling critical, sensitive, and confidential payment and financial matters.
• Serve as an escalation point for complex Accounts Payable issues and make appropriate operational decisions within the scope of the position.
• Partner with Accounting leadership on departmental priorities, initiatives, and operational decisions and provide leadership continuity as appropriate.

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Recruit, interview, select, onboard, and train Accounts Payable employees.
• Manage employee performance through regular feedback, coaching, mentoring, goal setting, and professional development.
• Prepare annual performance reviews for direct reports and contribute to broader team performance discussions as appropriate.
• Approve timecards and PTO requests and coordinate staffing and work schedules to maintain appropriate coverage and service levels.
• Establish clear expectations and foster an environment of accountability, collaboration, responsiveness, continuous improvement, and excellent service.
• Encourage open communication within the Accounts Payable team and facilitate effective communication between the team and stakeholders throughout the Firm.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Five or more years of progressively responsible Accounts Payable experience, preferably within a large professional services or law firm environment.
• Prior experience leading or managing employees, including coaching, performance management, workload prioritization, and employee development.
• Strong knowledge of Accounts Payable processes, policies, procedures, internal controls, and payment practices.
• Experience with financial and expense management systems. Experience with Elite and Chrome River is preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and professionally with attorneys, professional staff, leadership, vendors, and colleagues across departments and offices.
• Demonstrated ability to build productive cross-functional relationships, navigate competing priorities, and communicate effectively with both financial and non-financial stakeholders.
• Strong judgment, problem-solving, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to identify opportunities for improvement and successfully lead process, technology, and operational changes.
• High attention to accuracy and detail while maintaining an appropriate focus on broader departmental and Firm objectives.
• Strong customer-service orientation and commitment to providing responsive, practical, and professional support to internal and external stakeholders.

Polsinelli PC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender identity and expression, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, ancestry, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Qualifications

Behaviors

Preferred

Team Player : Works well as a member of a group

Loyal : Shows firm and constant support to a cause

Detail Oriented : Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

Dedicated : Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Motivations

Preferred

Self-Starter : Inspired to perform without outside help

Flexibility : Inspired to perform well when granted the ability to set your own schedule and goals

Ability to Make an Impact : Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

Education

Preferred

Bachelor's or better.

Experience

Required

5 years: Years of progressively responsible Accounts Payable experience, preferably within a large professional services or law firm environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.