Accountant II, Accounts Payable Manager

About the role

Aims Community College actively supports an environment that embraces the College's Mission, Vision, Values and a culture of innovation and care. The College embraces and seeks to hire individuals who want to be a part of this environment and have the skill sets necessary to be successful in this position.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of the Accounts Payable function within Financial Services, performing advanced accounting and financial functions with limited supervision.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and efficient processing of invoices, expenditures, and disbursements.
• Ensure that financial activities and the use of funds comply with applicable laws, regulations, accounting standards, and requirements established by governing agencies, including GAAP, GASB, FASB, IRS, and other applicable regulatory authorities.
• Manage and supervise the Accounts Payable staff, conduct research and evaluation of complex financial data, analyze accounting and operational issues, identify potential risks or discrepancies, and recommend suitable alternative solutions.
• Provide guidance and support to ensure effective financial controls, accurate reporting, compliance, and efficient operations within Accounts Payable.
• Review, update, and maintain proper documentation for Aims Community College, as well as for local, state, and federal policies and procedures.
• Establish and uphold Accounts Payable (AP) procedures, policies, and internal controls.
• Monitor Accounts Payable performance metrics and create reports to identify trends, issues, and opportunities for improvement.
• Identify opportunities to automate manual processes and enhance the use of accounting systems and technology.
• Evaluate and optimize AP workflows, including invoice processing, approvals, payment processing, and vendor management.
• Supervise, support, train, and evaluate the Accounts Payable Technicians in accordance with the College’s established policies and procedures.
• Communicate regularly with internal departments and external vendors to analyze and resolve urgent issues.
• Review, analyze, and reconcile all assigned Accounts Payable accounts.
• Provide management reports and other information upon request.
• Participate in the annual audit process for assigned funds; review, analyze, and address any audit comments related to Accounts Payable.
• Support external audits by providing necessary documentation and responding to inquiries.
• Aid with month-end and year-end close activities, including AP reconciliations and accruals.
• Prepare bank account reconciliations for payroll and manage 1099 preparations.
• Complete monthly sales tax returns.
• Cook up the Colorado Payback (Unclaimed Property) program.
• Serve as the primary check printer and ACH releaser on a regular weekly basis.
• Verify and process travel and mileage reimbursements.
• Differentiate between Independent Contractors and Employees.
• Initiate stop payments on checks.
• Initiate journal vouchers for monthly travel and procurement card expenses.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field plus four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in accounts payable or accounting, including experience with account reconciliation, financial reporting, audit support, and accounting-related compliance requirements, or an equivalent combination of education and/or work experience.
• One (1) year of supervisory and/or demonstrated leadership experience among the required four (4) years.
• Advanced knowledge of accounting theory, principles, and practices, including GAAP, GASB, and FASB.
• Strong knowledge of college/university, federal, and state policies, regulations, and procedures applicable to accounting and accounts payable operations.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to research issues, evaluate alternatives, and determine appropriate solutions.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy, with the ability to maintain confidentiality and demonstrate accountability for assigned responsibilities.
• Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills, including the ability to train, support, evaluate, and provide constructive feedback to staff.
• Effective organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet recurring and competing deadlines.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate professionally with employees, management, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Word, and experience using accounting, financial, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities, work independently and under pressure, manage multiple tasks, and identify and implement process improvements.