Lead Accountant - Accounts Payable / Travel & Expense

Transamerica; Cedar Rapids (IA); Hybrid; USD 86,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension Plan

401k Match

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Tuition Reimbursement

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

Holidays

Parental Leave

Be Well Program

Employee Assistance Program

Back-Up Care

Job summary

Transamerica is seeking an Accounts Payable / Travel & Expense Lead to guide AP operations and the T&E program. This role requires strong accounting expertise, ledger activity, and cross-functional collaboration with offshore teams to ensure timely, accurate payments and strict control adherence.

You will partner with AP/T&E management and internal stakeholders to maintain high service quality, streamline processes, and support multi-currency, multi-country operations across Oracle, Ariba,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or equivalent.
• 8+ years of experience in accounting/finance roles.

Responsibilities

• Lead AP operations and T&E card program as subject matter expert.
• Review vendor/policyholder payments for accuracy and policy adherence.
• Handle AP transactions, postings, journal entries, and reconciliations.
• Support month-end/quarter-end/year-end close activities.
• Coordinate with banking partners, vendors, and internal teams to resolve issues.
• Oversee global AP/T&E processes across currencies and countries.
• Manage Oracle, iBPS, Ariba, and Concur system processes and testing.
• Document internal controls over AP and T&E, including SOX requirements.
• Identify process improvements, automation opportunities, and efficiencies.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Microsoft 365

SOX compliance

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Tools

Oracle

Ariba

Concur

Job description

About Us

At Transamerica, hard work, innovative thinking, and personal accountability are qualities we honor and reward. We understand the potential of leveraging the talents of a diverse workforce. We embrace an environment where employees enjoy a balance between their careers, families, communities, and personal interests.

Job Family

Financial Accounting & Reporting

About Us

At Transamerica, hard work, innovative thinking, and personal accountability are qualities we honor and reward. We understand the potential of leveraging the talents of a diverse workforce. We embrace an environment where employees enjoy a balance between their careers, families, communities, and personal interests.

Ultimately, we appreciate the uniqueness of a company where talented professionals work collaboratively in a positive environment one focused on helping people look forward and plan for the best life possible while providing tools and solutions that make it easier to get there.

Who We Are

We believe everyone deserves to live their best life. More than a century ago, we were among the first financial services companies in America to serve everyday people from all walks of life.

Today, we’re part of an international holding company, with millions of customers and thousands of employees worldwide. Our insurance, retirement, and investment solutions help people make the most of what’s important to them.

We’re empowered by a vast agent network covering North America, with diversity to match. Together with our nonprofit research institute and foundation, we tune in, step up, and are a force for good - for our customers and the communities where we live, work, and play. United in our purpose, we help people create the financial freedom to live life on their terms.

What We Do

Transamerica is organized into three distinct businesses. These include 1) World Financial Group, including Transamerica Financial Advisors, 2) Protection Solutions and Savings & Investments, comprised of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits, retirement plans, and Transamerica Investment Solutions, and 3) Financial Assets, which includes legacy blocks of long term care, universal life, and variable and fixed annuities. These are supported by Transamerica Corporate, which includes Finance, People and Places, General Counsel, Risk, Internal Audit, Strategy and Development, and Corporate Affairs, which covers Communications, Brand, and Government and Policy Affairs.

Transamerica employs nearly 7,000 people. It’s part of Aegon, an integrated, diversified, international financial services group serving approximately 23.9 million customers worldwide.* For more information, visit transamerica.com.

Job Description Summary

The Accounts Payable / Travel & Expense Lead will serve as a key subject matter expert providing functional leadership for accounts payable operations and the T&E card program. The role requires strong accounting knowledge, including experience with ledger posting and reconciliation related to AP activity, as well as the ability to work effectively across multiple financial systems, business partners, and control requirements. This position will partner closely with the AP/T&E Manager, internal stakeholders, and an offshore service provider that handles certain day-to-day AP activities to promote service quality, issue resolution, and consistent execution of established processes.

Responsibilities

Job Description

• Guide accounts payable operations and the T&E card program by serving as a lead resource for daily work, complex issues, and process questions.
• Review vendor and policyholder payment activity to ensure payments are processed accurately, timely, and in accordance with company policies and applicable controls.
• Perform and review accounting activities related to AP transactions, including postings, journal entries, reconciliations, and other ledger impacts.
• Contribute to month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities related to accounts payable and T&E activity.
• Collaborate with external banking partners, vendors, and internal Finance, Procurement, Treasury, IT, and operational stakeholders to resolve issues, address business needs, and maintain clear, timely, professional communication.
• Partner with the offshore service provider responsible for day-to-day AP functions, including resolving escalations and ensuring alignment with service expectations.
• Administer global AP and T&E processes across multiple countries and currencies.
• Coordinate and perform AP and T&E system processes involving Oracle, iBPS, Ariba, and Concur, including system-related issue resolution, enhancement opportunities, system changes, and user acceptance testing.
• Perform and document internal controls over AP and T&E processes, including SOX control execution, evidence preparation, and audit support.
• Identify and recommend process improvements, automation opportunities, and efficiency gains while maintaining accuracy, compliance, and service quality.
• Maintain and improve procedures, reporting, metrics, and operational controls to support a scalable and well-controlled payment environment.
• Demonstrate ownership, initiative, accountability, and sound judgment while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Accounting or equivalent education/experience.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience, with degree.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with ERP and AP systems, such as Oracle, Ariba, Concur, or similar finance, procurement, workflow, and expense management applications.
• Experience supporting global accounts payable, multi-currency payments, banking services, vendor payments, policyholder payments, T&E card programs, and employee expense processes.
• Strong understanding of accounting principles, general ledger activity, account reconciliations, journal entries, and AP-related close activities.
• Experience serving as a lead resource, senior accountant, or subject matter expert within accounts payable, T&E, finance operations, or a shared services environment.
• Experience working in a SOX-controlled or highly regulated environment, including control execution, documentation, testing, issue remediation, and audit support.
• Ability to manage high-volume payment activity with strong attention to accuracy, timeliness, risk management, customer service, and operational efficiency.
• Ability to support system changes, testing coordination, user acceptance testing, implementation readiness, and process improvement initiatives for AP and T&E applications.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence, exercise sound judgment, resolve operational issues, and communicate clearly with business partners and leadership.
• Advanced Excel proficiency and experience using Microsoft 365 tools to support reporting, documentation, collaboration, and process management.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid Environment (In office Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday)
• Fast- paced deadline- driven office environment.
• Occasional Travel

The Salary for this position generally ranges between $86,000.00- $114,000.00 annually. Please note that the salary range is a good faith estimate for this position and actual starting pay is determined by several factors including qualifications, experience, geography, work location designation (in-office, hybrid, remote) and operational needs. Salary may vary above and below the stated amounts, as permitted by applicable law.

Additionally, this position is typically eligible for an Annual Bonus based on the Company Bonus Plan/Individual Performance and is at the Company’s discretion.

This job description is not a contract of employment nor for any specific job responsibilities. The Company may change, add to, remove, or revoke the terms of this job description at its discretion. Managers may assign other duties and responsibilities as needed. In the event an employee or applicant requests or requires an accommodation to perform job functions, the applicable HR Business Partner should be contacted to evaluate the accommodation request.

What We Offer

For eligible employees, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both the personal and financial well-being of our employees.

Compensation Benefits

• Competitive Pay
• Bonus for Eligible Employees

Benefits Package

• Pension Plan
• 401k Match
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Disability Insurance
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Employee Discounts
• Career Training & Development Opportunities

Health and Work/Life Balance Benefits

• Paid Time Off starting at 160 hours annually for employees in their first year of service.
• Ten (10) paid holidays per year (typically mirroring the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) holidays).
• Be Well Company holistic wellness program, which includes Wellness Coaching and Reward Dollars
• Parental Leave - fifteen (15) days of paid parental leave per calendar year to eligible employees with at least one year of service at the time of birth, placement of an adopted child, or placement of a foster care child.
• Adoption Assistance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Back-Up Care Program
• PTO for Volunteer Hours
• Employee Matching Gifts Program
• Employee Resource Groups
• Inclusion and Diversity Programs
• Employee Recognition Program
• Referral Bonus Programs

Inclusion & Diversity

We believe our commitment to diversity and inclusion creates a work environment filled with exceptional individuals. We’re thrilled to have been recognized for our efforts through the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index, Dave Thomas Adoption Friendly Advocate, and several Seramount lists, including the Inclusion Index, 100 Best Companies for Working Parents, Best Companies for Dads, and Top 75 Companies for Executive Women.

To foster a culture of inclusivity throughout our workforce, workplace, and marketplace, Transamerica offers a wide range of diversity and inclusion programs. This includes our company-sponsored, employee-driven Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which are formed around a shared interest or a common characteristic of diversity. ERGs are open to all employees. They provide a supportive environment to help us better appreciate our similarities and differences and understand how they benefit us all.

Giving Back

We believe our responsibilities extend beyond our corporate walls. That's why we created the Aegon Transamerica Foundation in 1994. Through a mix of financial grants and the volunteer efforts of our employees, the foundation supports nonprofit organizations focused on the things that matter most to our people in the communities where we live and work.

Transamerica’s Parent Company

Aegon acquired the Transamerica business in 1999. Since its start in 1844, Aegon has grown into an international company serving more than 23.9 million people across the globe.* It offers investment, protection, and retirement solutions, always with a clear purpose: Helping people live their best lives. As a leading global investor and employer, the company seeks to have a positive impact by addressing critical environmental and societal issues, with a focus on climate change and inclusion and diversity.

• As of December 31, 2023