Accounting Supervisor

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. (AOI) is a leading developer and manufacturer of advanced optical and HFC networking products — the building blocks that power AI datacenters, CATV broadband, telecom, and fiber access networks around the world. Headquartered in Sugar Land, Texas, AOI is a vertically integrated company that designs and manufactures everything from semiconductor laser chips to finished optical transceivers, serving tier‑one customers across cloud computing, broadband, and telecom. With R&D operations in Atlanta, GA and global manufacturing presence in Taiwan and China, AOI is publicly traded on the Nasdaq (AAOI) and is actively expanding its U.S.-based manufacturing operations in Sugar Land to meet accelerating demand in the AI datacenter market. Summary We are seeking an experienced Accounting Supervisor to lead the accounts payable function and support day-to-day accounting operations as AOI scales its U.S. manufacturing footprint. Reporting to the Accounting Operations Manager, this role oversees the end‑to‑end invoice‑to‑payment cycle, supports month‑end and year‑end close activities, and serves as a key liaison between Finance, Operations, and external auditors for the AP function. To succeed in this role, the Accounting Supervisor must be comfortable operating in a high‑volume transactional environment where invoices and supporting documentation can vary significantly by order. The ideal candidate pairs strong accounting fundamentals with hands‑on team leadership, sound judgment, and a continuous improvement mindset. Our finance team supports a vertically integrated, publicly traded manufacturer with operations spanning Sugar Land, Taiwan, and China. In this role, you will supervise and develop AP staff, foster a team culture rooted in accountability and mutual support, support audit readiness for the AP function, and partner with Procurement, IT, and Operations to streamline procure‑to‑pay workflows across hundreds of monthly transactions as our volumes increase with expanding U.S. production. The ideal candidate brings the structure, operational discipline, and attention to detail needed to formalize processes in a fast‑paced, evolving environment. Job Responsibilities Supervise, mentor, and develop a team of accounts payable specialists and accounting staff. Assign workloads, set priorities, and ensure adequate coverage across pay cycles and close periods. Conduct performance reviews, provide ongoing feedback, and identify training and development needs. Accounts Payable Operations Oversee end‑to‑end AP processing: invoice receipt, coding, approval routing, and payment execution. Ensure vendor invoices are processed accurately and in compliance with purchase orders, contracts, and company policy. Manage electronic payment runs (checks, ACH, wire transfers) and maintain payment calendars. Review and approve payment batches, expense reports, and employee reimbursements. Serve as escalation point for vendor disputes, payment discrepancies, and contract interpretation questions. Maintain strong vendor relationships and coordinate with Procurement to optimize payment terms where applicable. Ensure W‑9 and 1099 compliance for all applicable vendors. Month‑End & Year‑End Close Lead the AP close process, including accruals, cut‑off procedures, and reconciliation of the AP sub‑ledger to the general ledger. Prepare and review journal entries, account reconciliations, and variance analyses for management reporting. Coordinate with the broader Accounting and FP&A teams to ensure timely and accurate close cycles. Audit & Compliance Serve as the primary AP contact for internal and external auditors; prepare audit schedules and supporting documentation. Ensure adherence to GAAP, SOX controls (where applicable), and AOI internal policies and procedures. Stay current on changes in accounting regulations, tax requirements, and compliance standards. Reporting & Analysis Generate and present AP aging reports, cash flow forecasts, and KPI dashboards to Finance leadership. Analyze AP trends, identify cost‑saving opportunities, and provide actionable insights to management. Support ad‑hoc financial analysis and special projects as needed. Process Improvement Identify and implement process improvements and automation opportunities across the AP function. Evaluate and optimize use of ERP systems and accounting software to increase efficiency and accuracy. Collaborate cross‑functionally with Procurement, IT, and Operations to streamline procure‑to‑pay workflows. Qualifications Required: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field. Must be a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). 5+ years of progressive experience in accounts payable, general accounting, or a related financial role, including supervisory or team lead experience. Strong command of GAAP and end‑to‑end AP processes. Hands‑on experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) and advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel. Demonstrated ability to manage, develop, and motivate a team. Excellent attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple priorities under deadline pressure. Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to partner effectively across departments. Nice to Have: Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, or MBA. Experience in a manufacturing or publicly traded company environment. Familiarity with SOX compliance and internal controls frameworks. Experience leading ERP migrations or AP automation initiatives. This position is full‑time onsite and based in Sugar Land, Texas. This location has a combination of office, warehouse, and cleanroom manufacturing work environments. Expected business hours for this position are 9am to 6pm CT, Monday through Friday. Why AOI? In addition to competitive salary, AOI offers: Flexible and competitive health (medical, dental, vision) plans offer the employee with the right options to meet individual and family needs. Employer matching on 401(k) deferrals. Generous PTO policy, with unused PTO payout at end of the year. Relocation packages available within the United States. Applied Optoelectronics, Inc (AOI) is committed to providing equal opportunity in all of our employment practices, including hiring, placement, promotion, training, transfer and compensation, to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, religion, sex, veteran status, age, disability, marital status or any other category protected by State or U.S. Federal law. Moreover, we endeavor to treat our employees fairly. #J-18808-Ljbffr AOI