Senior Accounts Payable Specialist

Akin; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP in Washington, DC is seeking a Senior Accounts Payable Specialist to join the Finance department. This role offers hybrid work in the Washington, DC office and involves handling AP operations with a focus on accuracy, timeliness, and internal controls.

The position requires 3+ years of progressive AP experience, strong Excel skills, and experience with Chrome River and Aderant. Collaboration with attorneys, staff, and vendors is essential.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of progressive accounts payable experience, preferably in professional services or law firms.
• Strong knowledge of AP principles, expense reimbursement, internal controls.
• Experience processing employee expense reports and enforcing travel policies.
• Vendor onboarding experience is a plus.
• Experience with Chrome River or similar expense management system.
• Experience with Aderant or another financial management system preferred.
• Advanced Excel skills: PivotTables, VLOOKUP, SUMIF, reconciliations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with a strong customer service orientation.

Responsibilities

• Review and process attorney and staff expense reports in line with policies.
• Process e-invoices and support AP workflows using firm systems.
• Coordinate with Shared Services Processing Center to ensure timely AP operations.
• Own travel reconciliation process and resolve discrepancies.
• Validate data from Funds Group prior to processing.
• Participate in P-Card reconciliation and resolve items promptly.
• Research and resolve invoice and payment inquiries with stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and document procedures.

Skills

Accounts payable

Excel (PivotTables, VLOOKUP)

Communication skills

Internal controls

Problem solving

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Associate or Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

Chrome River

Aderant

Job description

Location: Washington, DC

Schedule: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Position Type: Full-Time/Regular

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. We are currently seeking a Senior Accounts Payable Specialist in our Finance department, reporting directly to the Accounts Payable Manager.

This role will reside in the Washington, DC office with hybrid work capabilities and will be responsible for supporting the firm's accounts payable function by ensuring assigned accounts payable processes are completed accurately, timely, and in accordance with firm policies, procedures, and internal controls. The Senior Accounts Payable Specialist is expected to perform all responsibilities with a commitment to providing superior service to the firm’s attorneys, advisors and staff, and maintaining an atmosphere of teamwork and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Review and process attorney and staff expense reports in accordance with the firm's Business Expense and Travel Reimbursement Policies and Guidelines.
• Process e-invoices and support assigned accounts payable workflows using Chrome River and other financial systems.
• Partner with the Shared Services Processing Center to coordinate day-to-day Accounts Payable operations, provide guidance, resolve questions, and support the accurate, timely completion of work in accordance with firm policies and procedures.
• Own the firm's travel reconciliation process by reviewing, reconciling, and resolving discrepancies to ensure transactions are complete and accurate.
• Confirm and validate data received from the Funds Group prior to processing.
• Participate in and support the firm's P-Card reconciliation process by researching reconciliation items, resolving discrepancies, and following up as needed to ensure timely resolution.
• Own the firm's outstanding check research process by identifying aged items, researching payment activity, collaborating with business services teams, vendors, and clients as needed, and recommending appropriate resolution.
• Coordinate vendor onboarding requests and assist in obtaining the information needed to facilitate the onboarding process.
• Monitor and respond to the Accounts Payable mailbox and telephone inquiries, providing timely, solution-oriented customer service to attorneys, secretaries, business services teams, and vendors.
• Review Accounts Payable transactions to verify appropriate approvals, accounting allocation, supporting documentation, policy compliance, accuracy and completeness.
• Research and resolve invoice, expense report, vendor, and payment inquiries by gathering information, identifying the appropriate resources, and recommending practical solutions.
• Exercise sound judgment when resolving issues independently and determine when escalation is appropriate.
• Build productive working relationships with attorneys, secretaries, business services teams, and vendors by providing responsive customer service and timely resolution of Accounts Payable inquiries.
• Identify opportunities to improve existing processes, document procedures, and recommend efficiencies that enhance the effectiveness of the Accounts Payable function.
• Assist with system testing, reporting, reconciliations, and special projects as assigned.
• Serve as a trusted resource to other members of the Accounts Payable team by sharing knowledge, supporting teammates, and contributing to a collaborative work environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications (Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities)

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Two- or four-year college degree is preferred in Accounting, Finance, or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 3 years of experience of progressive accounts payable experience, preferably within a professional services or law firm environment.
• Strong knowledge of accounts payable principles, expense reimbursement practices, internal controls, and accounts payable best practices.
• Experience reviewing and processing employee expense reports and interpreting corporate travel and expense policies.
• Experience working with vendor onboarding processes preferred.
• Experience with Chrome River or a comparable expense management system required.
• Experience with Aderant or another financial management system preferred.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including PivotTables, VLOOKUP, SUMIF functions, reconciliations, reporting, and data analysis.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a strong customer service orientation.
• Commitment to professional growth and development

The anticipated base salary range for this position in Washington, DC is $70,000 to $85,000. The actual salary offered will be based on several factors, including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, years of relevant experience, certifications or other professional licenses held, job related knowledge and skills, business needs, and the location from which the work will be performed. Additionally, salary or hourly wages may be only part of the total compensation package, which may also include a full range of health and other insurance benefits, financial and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility), a discretionary bonus, and various paid time off benefits. Additional information about benefits and rewards can be found.

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP participates in E‑Verify for purposes of verifying employment eligibility.