Accounts Payable Analyst

About the Role

The Accounts Payable Analyst serves as the subject matter expert for accounts payable operations and systems. Implements strategies to achieve the goals for the organization and the accounting department. Implements, revises, and sustains policies, procedures, and programs. Typically works on projects and initiatives that span 3–12 months.

Responsibilities

• General Ledger and Accruals: Calculates and prepares general ledger entries and monthly accounts payable (AP) accruals. Researches and resolves open items, discrepancies, and variances related to vendor balances and AP clearing accounts.
• Reporting & Analytics: Designs, customizes, and maintains AP reports for internal and external stakeholders using Business Intelligence tools and Excel, including aging, spend analysis, and KPI reporting.
• Systems & Processes: Provides subject-matter expertise for accounts payable processes, policies, and requirements related to system implementations, upgrades, integrations, and testing (e.g., ERP, invoice workflow, vendor portals).
• Transaction Processing & Controls: Performs activities necessary to process invoices, payments, and vendor maintenance in accordance with standard operating procedures. Ensures accuracy through audits, three-way matching, and balancing procedures.
• Compliance & Payments: Ensures timely and accurate disbursement of vendor payments, including ACH, checks, and wires. Supports compliance with regulatory, tax, and reporting requirements related to accounts payable.
• Vendor Data & Audit Support: Maintains, analyzes, and audits AP and vendor records necessary to support financial reporting, internal controls, and external audits.
• Process Improvement: Identifies opportunities for process improvements within Finance related to AP operations, automation, controls, and efficiency. Recommends and supports changes that lead to measurable improvements.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Provides AP expertise for cross-functional projects and collaborates across departments and business units to resolve issues and improve end-to-end procure-to-pay processes. Serves as backup for P-card Administrator and processes monthly P-card exports.
• Project and Change Management: Effectively plans and manages own work to reliably complete routine job responsibilities and special assignments. May serve as a team member or subject matter expert on formal projects or within the department. Engages in change affecting her/him, communicating appropriately with supervisor.
• Problem Solving: Works independently with light supervision. Solves problems of moderate to advanced complexity; able to identify root cause, interpret data, and resolve issues.
• Community Engagement: Champions Goodwill’s community engagement initiatives and serves as an ambassador for Goodwill in the wider community.
• Responsible for completing other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

• Two years of college education or experience equivalency, and a minimum of 3 years’ experience.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
• Experience supporting AP processes for a large or complex organization.
• ERP and reporting experience strongly preferred (e.g., invoice workflow tools, BI reporting).
• Accounts Payable or accounting certification preferred (e.g., AIP, CAPA, or equivalent).

Skills

• Customer Focus: Independently anticipates and meets customer needs, while searching for ways to improve customer service. Internalizes customer feedback and follows up to ensure problems are solved by providing innovative ideas to meet future needs.
• Values Differences: Seeks out diverse perspectives and talents, striving to work effectively with others who have different perspectives, backgrounds, or styles. Behaves with sensitivity towards differences in cultural norms, expectations, and ways of communicating. Challenges stereotyping or offensive comments.
• Communicates Effectively: Shares information and updates clearly and concisely. Listens with interest to what others have to say.
• Situational Adaptability: Demonstrates flexibility in responses to different situations by adapting to changing needs, conditions, priorities, or opportunities. Monitors how well an approach is working and adjusts as needed.
• Drives Results: Demonstrates a strong drive to achieve meaningful results, setting high standards for performance and showing determination in the face of obstacles and setbacks.
• Ensures Accountability: Takes responsibility and ownership for successes and failures in own work. Monitors progress and adjusts approach accordingly.

Physical/Sensory Demands

• Remain stationary for extended periods of time.
• Repetitive use of hands for computer tasks.
• Vision required for computer entry.

Pay

When determining placement within the salary range for this position, Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago considers education, experience, internal equity, market demands, and other qualifying criteria. It is not typical for individuals to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. Certain roles are eligible to participate in an incentive plan.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability.
• Life insurance.
• Retirement plan.
• Paid time off (PTO).

The specifics of each benefit package may vary depending on factors such as full- or part-time status, contracted, temporary, or other job categories.