Accounts Payable Team Lead

Royal Search Group; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Royal Search Group is seeking an Accounts Payable Team Lead to manage end-to-end AP across multiple entities in the United States. You will lead the AP staff, optimize processes, and strengthen internal controls while ensuring timely vendor payments and compliance with GAAP.

In this role, you will drive automation initiatives, oversee 1099s and tax compliance where applicable, collaborate with Finance, Operations, and Procurement, and support audits and month-end close.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years progressive AP experience; 3+ years leadership/supervisory experience.
• Experience with AP automation platforms in a multi-entity organization.
• Multi-entity experience with high-volume invoice processing and audit support.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and evaluate AP team members; set goals and performance metrics.
• Manage full-cycle AP processing and vendor payments; ensure accuracy.
• Improve AP workflows through automation and maintain SOPs.
• Partner with Operations, Procurement, and Finance; support budgeting and audits.

Skills

AP leadership

Team management

Internal controls

GAAP compliance

AP automation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

AP automation platforms

Job description

The Accounts Payable Team Lead is responsible for leading and optimizing the organization’s accounts payable function across multiple entities. This role oversees end-to-end AP processing, vendor payments, expense reimbursements, month-end close support, and compliance, while managing the AP team and strengthening internal controls.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Management

• Lead, coach, and evaluate AP team members; set goals and performance metrics
• Ensure workload distribution, cross-training, and business continuity

AP Operations

• Manage full-cycle AP process (invoice receipt through payment)
• Oversee ACH, wire, virtual card, and check payments
• Review expense reports; oversee annual 1099 reporting
• Maintain sales/use tax compliance and business license renewals
• Maintain strong internal controls over disbursements
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, IRS requirements, and audit standards
• Support audits; monitor segregation of duties and risk mitigation

Process Improvement

• Improve AP workflows through automation; maintain SOPs
• Lead system enhancements and efficiency initiatives
• Manage vendor relationships, onboarding, W-9 collection, and records
• Support month-end/year-end close; prepare accruals and reconciliations
• Analyze AP metrics for Finance leadership

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Operations, Procurement, and Finance teams
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and entity integrations

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field preferred (or equivalent experience)
• 5+ years progressive AP experience; 3+ years leadership/supervisory experience
• Experience with AP automation platforms in a multi-entity organization
• Multi-entity experience strongly preferred; high-volume invoice processing and audit support experience