Specialist, Accounts Payable

JOB SUMMARY:

The Accounts Payable Specialist is responsible for ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of Accounts Payable while maintaining adequate internal controls. The position works to support process and system improvements to increase the efficiency of the department based on best practices including electronic workflow and other new initiatives. The position supports other back-office functions such as reporting, reconciliations, and error resolution. The position is responsible for global cross functional partnering and collaboration to optimize Accounts Payable management. The position is accountable for the entire Accounts Payable process, including the consistent application of a policy and work instructions, periodic reviews of transactions and potential risk. The position decreases critical liability hazards by stabilizing the timeliness of work completion as defined by corporate deadlines. The position prepares and organizes the documentation necessary to make payment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

This job description represents only the primary areas of responsibility; specific position assignments will vary depending on the needs of the department.

To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to execute each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Receives, codes, and enters vendor invoices into workflow system.
• Assists users with best practices to support the newly created workflow process.
• Enters vendor invoices into accounting system.
• Matches purchase orders to invoices, working with internal business resources to resolve discrepancies.
• Manages the vendor payment process through scheduled check runs and prepares ACH/wire payments.
• Maintains and updates vendor database, working with vendors as needed.
• Develops quality professional relationships with vendors as well as within the company.
• Responds to both internal and external vendor inquiries related to the business.
• Analyzes current ways of working to recommend and implement process improvements.
• Maintains an effective internal financial control environment.

• Coordinates the internal approval process for vendor invoices.
• Applies knowledge of accounting practices in analyzing and recording business transactions and reconciliations.
• Assumes responsibility for effectively researching, tracking, and resolving (or properly referring) accounting or documentation problems and discrepancies.
• Maintains regular contact with other departments to obtain/convey information and/or to correct transactions.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or GED.
• College level courses or equivalent desired.
• 2 – 5 years in a computerized business accounting office preferred.
• Well-versed in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Strong knowledge of account review and relationship process.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics accounting application, Epicor and Global Edge software a plus.
• Knowledge in Microsoft SharePoint is a plus.
• Manufacturing industry and Project Management knowledge a plus.

LICENSING/CERTIFICATIONS:

None.

COMPETENCIES

KNOWLEDGE:

• · Customer and Personal Service (intercultural skills, service minded) — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• · Accounting Knowledge of accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
• Mathematics-Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• English Language-Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar.

COMPETENCIES

SKILL IN:

• Sense of Urgency - Motivated self-starter.

• Mathematics - Using math to solve problems.
• Critical thinking - Uses logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
• Analytical - Strong analytical skills. Being able to analyze complex challenges by identifying
• fundamental drivers, fact finding and creating options based on facts and figures.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

• Well-developed ability to multi-task and prioritize with strong attention to details.

ABILITIES IN:

• Mathematical Reasoning-The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
• Oral Comprehension-The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Written Comprehension-The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Number Facility-The ability to add, subtract, multiply or divide quickly and correctly.
• Organization and prioritization-The ability to prioritize and organize workload with strong attention to details.

• Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Aptitude for Technology - The ability to use in-dept information technology into responsive and effective accounting solutions.

ADA REQUIREMENTS (For U.S. positions only):

Positions in this function typically require typing, sitting, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

• Concentrated mental and/or visual attention. The work involves performing complex tasks to very close accuracy and quality specifications, or a high degree of hand and eye coordination for sustained periods.
• The job is typically performed under comfortable working conditions; any disagreeable elements are generally absent during normal performance of job.
• Compliance with company attendance standards.

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

No travel is required.

NOTE:

The above job description is intended to represent only the primary areas of responsibility; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department.