Accounts Payable Manager

About the role

Vedder's Chicago office is seeking an Accounts Payable Manager. The role is critical for the smooth running of fiscal operations and involves analyzing and improving departmental processes to enhance quality, productivity, and efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Manage AP Supervisor and AP team, including evaluating, training, hiring, and supervising staff.
• Evaluate, develop, and improve departmental controls and procedures to increase accuracy and efficiency.
• Evaluate, set priorities, and set goals for the AP team that align with the Firm's strategic plan and direction.
• Oversee daily operations, ensuring timely and accurate completion of major projects, month-end, and year-end reports.
• Evaluate and develop departmental controls and procedures to increase accuracy and efficiency.
• Develop, monitor, and publish metrics to gauge workflow improvements and ensure service level commitments are met.
• Ensure a thorough understanding of the financial reporting system and general ledger structure, directly relating to the AP cycle.
• Ensure timely and accurate performance of monthly Bank Compliance activities and monthly AP reporting.
• Collaborate with other accounting and finance department staff to support overall department goals and objectives.
• Advises staff regarding the handling of non-routine transactions.
• Ensures regular reconciliation of vendor accounts to ensure proper accounting.
• Oversees the review of accounts payable coding and documentation of expenses to ensure compliance with Firm policies.
• Maintains a well-controlled vendor master file with accurate approved vendor information and up-to-date vendor payment terms.
• Deals with client/vendors inquiries related to accounts.
• Responsible for vendor W-9 documentation, annual 1099 reporting, unclaimed property review and reporting.
• Prepares a monthly AP aging report and reconciles AP sub-ledger to the general ledger.
• Establishes and maintains adequate internal controls and ensures proper segregation of duties.
• Ensures compliance with the Firm’s policies and procedures.
• Works with the Accounting team in support of external audits by providing supporting schedules, reconciliations, pulling selections, and interfacing with external auditors as required.
• Keeps confidential information private and maintains high levels of security and dependability.
• Other projects/job-related duties as assigned/requested.

Qualifications & Required Experience

• Bachelor degree (B.S.) majoring in Accounting or Finance with at least 5 years of experience in a Supervisory or AP Manager position.
• Experience managing a full-cycle high volume accounts payable team with proven leadership and process improvement skills.
• Ability to work under pressure to meet strict deadlines and exhibit a team player attitude.
• Strong organizational, time management, and execution skills.
• Analytical skills and a basic understanding of accounting principles.
• Self-motivated, proactive, resourceful, and able to analyze/interpret data and take appropriate action.
• Sound judgment and decision-making ability, good interpersonal skills, and the ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, in writing and verbally.
• Skilled in providing appropriate performance feedback to ensure career development and growth.
• Experience with policy and procedure development/documentation and with system implementations and process solutions.
• Ability to act and operate independently with minimal daily direction from the Senior Manager of Accounting Operations to accomplish objectives.
• Maintain the highest of ethics and confidentiality at all times.
• Positive attitude and disposition.