Senior Accounts Payable Specialist

Ledgent Finance & Accounting; Kelso (WA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Paid time off

Job summary

Ledgent Finance & Accounting seeks a Senior Accounts Payable Specialist to join a fast-paced accounting team in Kelso, WA. The role focuses on high-volume AP processing, invoice review, and ensuring accurate coding and payments, with emphasis on automation and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate brings 5+ years of full-cycle AP experience, advanced Excel skills, and a proactive mindset to optimize workflows and controls.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of full-cycle accounts payable experience.
• Experience in a high-volume AP environment.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles and AP best practices.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, analysis).
• Experience improving processes and implementing workflow efficiencies.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and organizational abilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Process high-volume AP transactions, including PO and non‑PO invoices.
• Review invoice coding, approvals, discrepancies, and exceptions.
• Reconcile vendor statements and company credit card transactions.
• Support subcontractor compliance requirements and vendor documentation review.
• Assist with month-end close activities, accruals, and reconciliation.
• Prepare payment runs and ensure accuracy prior to final approval.
• Provide backup support to team during peak periods and absences.

Skills

Accounts payable

Advanced Excel

Analytical skills

Communication

Multitasking

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Tools

ERP systems

AP automation

Job description

Senior Accounts Payable Specialist

Location: Kelso, WA | Compensation: $28-$41/hour DOE | Employment Type: Full-Time, Temp-to-Hire

About the Opportunity

Our client is seeking a Senior Accounts Payable Specialist to join their accounting team. This role is ideal for an experienced A/P professional who thrives in a high-volume environment, enjoys solving complex problems, and is passionate about improving processes through technology, automation, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Accounts Payable Operations

• Process high-volume accounts payable transactions, including PO and non-PO invoices.
• Review invoice coding, approvals, discrepancies, and exception items.
• Reconcile vendor statements and company credit card transactions.
• Support subcontractor compliance requirements and vendor documentation review.
• Assist with month-end close activities, accruals, and reconciliation processes.
• Prepare payment runs and ensure accuracy prior to final approval.
• Provide backup support to team members during peak periods and absences.

Problem Solving & Issue Resolution

• Serve as a resource for complex accounts payable issues, including invoice discrepancies, payment disputes, retainage, and aging balances.
• Identify root causes of recurring issues and implement long-term solutions.
• Collaborate with operations, purchasing, project teams, and vendors to resolve payment and cost-related concerns.
• Manage compliance-related payment holds and documentation requirements.

Process Improvement & Technology

• Recommend and implement process improvements to increase efficiency and accuracy.
• Support and optimize accounts payable systems and workflow automation tools.
• Leverage reporting, automation, AI, and technology solutions to improve operational performance.
• Develop reports and dashboards to track key accounts payable metrics.
• Participate in continuous improvement projects and process enhancement initiatives.

Training & Documentation

• Create and maintain standard operating procedures and process documentation.
• Train and mentor team members on systems, workflows, and best practices.
• Support cross-training initiatives across the accounting department.
• Assist internal stakeholders with accounts payable policies and approval processes.

Controls & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to internal controls and accounting policies.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen controls and reduce risk.
• Support internal and external audit requests.
• Perform additional accounting and administrative duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of full-cycle accounts payable experience.
• Experience working in a high-volume accounts payable environment.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles and A/P best practices.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, and data analysis.
• Experience improving processes and implementing workflow efficiencies.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational abilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Experience with ERP systems and accounts payable automation platforms.
• Construction, manufacturing, engineering, or project-based industry experience.
• Experience developing SOPs, training materials, and mentoring team members.
• Exposure to reporting tools, automation technologies, or AI-powered business applications.

Ideal Candidate

• Solutions-oriented with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Comfortable challenging existing processes and recommending better approaches.
• Technologically savvy and eager to leverage automation tools.
• Collaborative team player with strong attention to detail.
• Self-motivated, dependable, and committed to delivering high-quality results.

Compensation

Compensation: $28-$41/hour DOE

Benefits

• Medical
• dental
• vision
• paid time off

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, or military or veteran status.

We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.