Senior Accounts Payable Specialist

About the role

Under the general supervision of the Accounting Manager, the Senior Accounts Payable (AP) Specialist will manage and process complex transactions, ensuring timely payments and maintaining accurate payment records within the accounts.

Responsibilities

• Oversee, audit, and process vendor invoices, expense reports, and payments (ACH, wires, checks).
• Manages all online accounts, credit cards, and payments.
• Solves complex billing discrepancies, maintains vendor records (W-9s), and reconciles vendor statements.
• Aligns purchasing procedures to governmental funding requirements, external grants, internal practices, or other needs and requirements that follow OMB procurement requirements.
• Communicates and negotiates with vendors and outside sales representatives regarding rates, discounts, and incorrect orders.
• Oversees the creation and distribution of agency purchase orders.
• Supports month-end closing by preparing journal entries, ensuring adherence to internal controls, and preparing 1099 forms.
• Refines and establishes clear systems and procedures to ensure the smooth execution of financial processes by departments and staff members.
• Improves process documentation as applicable.
• Maintains accurate invoice files and other fiscal or transaction records as required by law and policy.
• Aids in developing guidelines for the proper handling and coding on A/P invoices to maintain vendor expense account records.
• Ensures employer identification numbers or social security numbers have been collected from all vendors to prepare and submit 1099s.
• Identifies inefficiencies and recommends changes.
• Provides supporting documentation for audits.
• Assists the Accounting Manager with projects as needed.

Requirements

Minimum of an AS in Accounting, Business Administration, or equivalent, and three or more years of accounting experience with direct experience in full-cycle accounts payable or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Qualifications

• Ability to read and write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference.
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Experience with ERP systems, including Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT or AP automation software, and proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly MS Excel (pivot tables).

Benefits

The agency provides a positive work environment and the ability to balance work & home along with excellent benefits. Our benefit package includes: medical, dental, vision, life insurance including sick, vacation, and personal leave with 13 paid holidays and a fully vested retirement plan with an up to 5% match. This position is full-time with full benefits and starts out between $23.13 - $27.12 per hour and is located in Santa Barbara.

Pay

This position pays between $23.13 - $27.12 per hour.

Schedule

This position is full-time.