The Accounts Payable Manager will lead and develop the AP team, oversee vendor relationships and payment processes, and work closely with Finance and cross-functional business partners to improve processes, strengthen controls, support cash-flow management, and implement technology and automation initiatives.
The ideal candidate will be a hands-on accounting professional with strong Accounts Payable expertise, leadership experience, and the ability to identify opportunities to improve efficiency and scalability.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Manage the day-to-day operations of the company's Accounts Payable function, including invoice processing, coding, approvals, account reconciliation, and payment processing.
- Lead, supervise, train, and develop the Accounts Payable team.
- Assign workloads, establish priorities, monitor performance, develop and track KPIs, and conduct performance evaluations.
- Review vendor invoices for accuracy, proper coding, supporting documentation, and required approvals prior to payment.
- Oversee payment processing, including checks, ACH, and wire transfers, ensuring payments are accurate, timely, and properly authorized.
- Maintain strong vendor relationships and serve as a primary escalation point for vendor inquiries, payment issues, and account discrepancies.
- Investigate and resolve invoice, payment, and vendor account discrepancies in a timely manner.
- Reconcile the Accounts Payable subledger to the General Ledger and research and resolve variances.
- Manage employee expense report processing and ensure compliance with established expense policies.
- Ensure appropriate documentation, approvals, and internal controls are maintained for all company disbursements.
- Partner with Finance leadership on cash-flow forecasting, payment scheduling, and working capital initiatives.
- Support the implementation and optimization of automated invoice processing and approval workflows.
- Collaborate with Operations and other departments on the implementation of purchasing and purchase-order processes to ensure accurate transaction flow into the accounting system.
- Identify opportunities to streamline AP processes, improve controls, reduce manual work, and increase operational efficiency.
- Lead or participate in Accounts Payable transformation, automation, and process improvement initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with applicable 1099 reporting requirements and coordinate year-end vendor tax documentation.
- Support month-end and year-end close activities, including AP accruals, reconciliations, reporting, and supporting schedules.
- Develop, maintain, and update Accounts Payable policies and procedures.
- Ensure established accounting policies and internal controls are consistently followed.
- Assist with internal and external audits by providing AP records, reconciliations, documentation, and other requested information.
- Participate in cross-functional projects and initiatives as a Finance representative.
- Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive Accounts Payable or accounting experience, including supervisory or management responsibility.
- Strong understanding of Accounts Payable processes, General Ledger reconciliation, vendor management, expense reporting, payment processing, and internal controls.
- Experience with ERP or accounting systems such as NetSuite, Sage, QuickBooks, or comparable platforms.
- Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
- Experience managing invoice workflows, payment processes, reconciliations, and accounting documentation.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively interact with vendors, employees, Finance, Operations, and other internal stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop an Accounts Payable team.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred:
- Experience within transportation, logistics, industrial services, waste management, or another service-oriented environment.
- Experience supporting multiple entities, locations, or business units.
- Experience implementing AP automation, invoice workflow technology, or ERP enhancements.
- Experience working with purchasing or purchase-order systems.
- Experience with process improvement and accounting transformation initiatives.