Lead Accounts Payable Specialist

University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Greensboro (NC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro is seeking a Lead Accounts Payable Specialist to oversee the timely and accurate processing of vendor invoices, employee reimbursements, and related disbursements within University and State policies.

This role emphasizes audit readiness, internal controls, and continuous improvement as we adapt to PaymentWorks, Chrome River, Jaggaer, and supplier self-service tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or accounting or 12 hours of Accounting coursework; or an equivalent combination.
• Two years of experience in accounts payable preferred.

Responsibilities

• Spot check Travel and Non-Travel Reimbursements for compliance reviews.
• Maintain a record of outstanding Credit Memos to research and resolve to collect outstanding balances.
• Work with vendors on complex accounting issues to resolve account balances and/or discrepancies.
• Research and provide data for annual internal and external audits.
• Research SpartanMart invoice discrepancies to resolve PO and Invoicing matters.
• Reviews and monitors reports from Chrome River/Emburse to maintain data integrity on record maintenance.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration or accounting

Job description

Position Number: 000082

Functional Title: Lead Accounts Payable Specialist

Position Type: Staff

Position Eclass: EZ - EHRA Non - Exempt Permanent

University Information

Located in North Carolina’s third largest city, UNC Greensboro is among the most diverse, learner-centered public research universities in the state, with 18,000 students in eight colleges and schools pursuing more than 150 areas of undergraduate and over 200 areas of graduate study. UNCG continues to be recognized nationally for academic excellence, access, and affordability. UNCG is ranked No. 1 most affordable institution in North Carolina for net cost by the N.Y. Times and No. 1 in North Carolina for social mobility by The Wall Street Journal — helping first‑generation and lower‑income students find paths to prosperity. Designated an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land‑grant Universities, UNCG is a community‑engaged research institution with a portfolio of more than $67M in research and creative activity. The University’s 2,600 staff help create an annual economic impact for the Piedmont Triad region in excess of $1B.

Primary Purpose of the Organizational Unit

The Accounts Payable unit of the Controller’s Office pays vendors’ invoices, employee reimbursements and travel expenditures timely, accurately, and within the University and State’s policies for disbursements, each document must be evaluated to insure all University and State disbursement policies are followed. A high level of knowledge and accuracy is demanded in the processing of accounts payable disbursements because both the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration expect work performance that does not contribute to audit findings; this includes the Internal Auditors, State Auditors and Federal Auditors who keep the University’s records under constant scrutiny. The purchasing information goes through many hands and Accounts Payable is the last line of defense for any improper payments or charges to departmental accounts. Ongoing monthly training for the campus is typically conducted by the AP staff.

Position Summary

This position is critical to the University’s Accounts Payable operations and supports the timely, accurate, and compliant processing of vendor invoices, employee reimbursements, supplier onboarding activities, and other disbursement functions. The role serves as a key resource for ensuring compliance with University, UNC System, State, and Federal policies while supporting campus departments in navigating increasingly automated financial processes.
As Accounts Payable operations have evolved through the implementation of PaymentWorks, Chrome River, Jaggaer, electronic workflows, and supplier self‑service tools, the responsibilities of this position have expanded beyond transactional processing to include policy interpretation, campus training, audit support, vendor management, issue resolution, and process improvement. The position plays an important role in maintaining internal controls, mitigating compliance risks, and supporting the University’s financial stewardship responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or accounting or at least 12 hours of Accounting coursework; or Associate’s degree in business administration or accounting and one year of experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two years of experience in accounts payable preferred.

Recruitment Range

$55,000 - $60,000

Org # - Department

Office of the Controller - 56202

Job Open Date

07/20/2026

For Best Consideration Date

08/03/2026

Open Until Filled

Yes

FTE

1.000

Type of Appointment

Permanent

Number of Months per Year

12

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Percentage Of Time

25

Key Responsibility

Research, Review, and Oversee Outstanding Cases

Essential Tasks

• Spot Check Travel and Non-Travel Reimbursements for compliance reviews.
• Maintain a record of outstanding Credit Memos to research and resolve to collect outstanding balances.
• Work with vendors on complex accounting issues to resolve account balances and/or discrepancies.
• Research and provide data for annual internal and external audits.
• Research SpartanMart invoice discrepancies to resolve PO and Invoicing matters.
• Reviews and monitors reports from Chrome River/Emburse to maintain data integrity on record maintenance.

Percentage Of Time

25

Key Responsibility

Use of Technology, Software, and Equipment

Essential Tasks

• Be the subject matter expert on operational software such as Chrome River/PaymentWorks/Virtual Card/SpartanMart Invoicing.
• Provide assistance to the AP team for operational functional software issues.
• Be a primary participant in AP technology upgrades and implementations to ensure business continuity.
• Use of Microsoft Office Suite/Core Banking at the NC Dept of StateTreasurer/ePrint/WebFocus/Banner/SpartanMart to complete research and perform job tasks.
• Provide expertise to campus users on the use of operational software.

Percentage Of Time

20

Key Responsibility

Maintaining and Adjusting Business Processes and Financial Records

Essential Tasks

• Be the subject matter expert on business workflows in operational software to ensure our business needs are met and compliance guidances are maintained and followed.
• Assist with the weekly cash projections reported to the UNC Systems Office.
• Reviews and monitors reports from Chrome River/Emburse to maintain data integrity on record maintence and statuses.
• Looks for efficiences to propose improvements to business processes.
• Assist with year end processes and tax reporting.

Percentage Of Time

15

Key Responsibility

Advanced Customer Resolution & Knowledge Resource

Essential Tasks

• Provide expertise to campus partners and vendors in resolving complex questions on a spending guidielines, OSC/OSBM policies, UNCG policies and procedures.
• Uses interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with vendors and campus partners, maintaining a positive relationship between the Controller’s Office and our clients.
• Assist AP team on policy guidance and with operational tasks during times of high volume.

Percentage Of Time

10

Key Responsibility

Training Materials and Programs

Essential Tasks

• Develops and delivers campus-wide training programs for PaymentWorks, Chrome River, and SpartanMart invoicing.
• Create and maintain end user manuals, training materials, and business procedures for campus users.
• Create and maintain functional user manuals for the Controller’s Office on operational systems.
• Serve as primary resource for departmental business officers regarding disbursement policies and system functionality.
• Provide functional consultation on complex reimbursement, invoice, and supplier onboarding issues.

Physical Effort

Hand Movement-Repetitive Motions, Hand Movement-Grasping, Holding, Finger Dexterity, Vision-Skilled Trades, Reading, Writing, Eye-hand coordination, Vision-Preparing/Analyzing figures, Vision-Visual inspection, Hearing, Talking, Sitting

Work Environment

Inside, Overtime