Senior Analyst, Global Accounts Payable

Paul Hastings is a leading international law firm that provides innovative legal solutions to many of the world's top financial institutions and Fortune Global 500 companies. With a strong presence throughout the U.S., Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, we have the global reach and extensive capabilities to provide personalized service wherever our clients’ needs take us. As one of the world’s leading law firms, we seek dynamic individuals who share our commitment to service, innovation, and professional growth. Job Title Senior Analyst, Global Accounts Payable Location Chicago Regular/Temporary Regular Job Description Summary We have an opening for a Senior Analyst, Global Accounts Payable. The Senior Analyst, Global Accounts Payable is the analytical and controls engine of the AP function at Paul Hastings. Reporting directly to the Senior Manager of Global Accounts Payable, this role owns the intelligence layer of AP operations — data‑driven reporting, SOX and audit compliance, KPI frameworks, exception management, corporate card program oversight, reconciliation support, and project management for transformation initiatives including the P2P implementation and T&E modernization. Where the Supervisor runs the operation, the Senior Analyst measures it, protects it, and improves it. This is a strategic partnership role: the Senior Analyst translates transactional data into actionable insights for Procurement, Finance leadership, and the COO, driving accountability through metrics and surfacing the information that shapes investment, vendor strategy, and operational decisions. This is not a processing position. It demands analytical rigor, a deep understanding of controls, and the ability to operate as a credible partner across departments and leadership levels. Job Description Reporting, Analytics & Dashboards Design, build, and maintain AP performance dashboards and reporting packages covering KPIs including touchless invoice rate, DPO by vendor category, processing cycle time, early payment discount capture, and accrual accuracy; Own the preparation of board‑ready and leadership‑ready reporting packages on a monthly and quarterly cadence, synthesizing operational data into clear narratives, trend analysis, and actionable recommendations; Develop budget vs. actuals variance analysis for AP operations, identifying cost drivers and recommending corrective actions to the Senior Manager and COO; Partner with Procurement to deliver spend analytics, vendor concentration analysis, and payment term optimization insights that inform enterprise vendor strategy; and Build ad hoc analytical models to support strategic decision‑making across the AP function and firm leadership. SOX Compliance & Audit Ownership Own SOX compliance for the AP function: control documentation, testing coordination, deficiency tracking, and remediation management; Maintain and update the AP SOX control matrix, ensuring all key controls are documented, tested, and operating effectively throughout the audit cycle; Lead coordination with Internal Audit, External Audit, and the Controller’s Office on AP‑related audit requests, walkthroughs, and evidence delivery; Identify control gaps, design corrective action plans, and drive remediation to closure with defined timelines and accountability; and Own audit cycle preparation, ensuring the AP team delivers complete, accurate, and timely documentation — with no last‑minute scrambles. Exception Management & Root Cause Analysis Own the exception management framework for AP: identification, classification, escalation protocols, resolution tracking, and trend reporting; Perform root‑cause analysis on recurring exceptions, duplicate payments, and control failures — translating findings into concrete process or system improvements; Maintain the exception log with regular trend reporting, presenting findings and recommended actions to leadership on a defined cadence; and Partner with the AP Supervisor and Coordinators to implement corrective actions and preventive controls that reduce exception volume over time. Duplicate Payment Detection & Recovery Own the duplicate payment detection and recovery program end‑to‑end: periodic audits, system‑based detection rules, vendor outreach, and recovery tracking; Establish and maintain duplicate payment reporting that tracks recovery rates, root causes, prevention effectiveness, and financial impact; and Drive vendor recovery efforts and implement systemic controls to prevent recurrence. Reconciliation Support Lead AP’s contribution to month‑end and year‑end reconciliation activities, including subledger‑to‑GL reconciliation, bank reconciliation support, and intercompany clearing; Investigate and resolve reconciliation variances, aging items, and unmatched transactions in partnership with the Controller’s Office and Treasury; and Develop and maintain reconciliation checklists and tracking tools that improve accuracy, timeliness, and auditability of the close process. Corporate Card Program Ownership Own the operational management of the firm’s corporate and purchasing card programs: policy enforcement, transaction monitoring, exception management, and program performance reporting; Manage card program relationships with issuing banks and platform providers (Wells Fargo WellsOne, AMEX), serving as the firm’s primary operational contact; Monitor spend trends, flag policy violations and unusual activity, and deliver program performance reports to leadership; and Drive card onboarding, limit adjustments, and deactivation workflows in coordination with HR and office administration. Project Management & Transformation Ownership Lead project management for AP transformation initiatives, including the P2P implementation — owning data validation, user acceptance testing (UAT), and reporting design workstreams; Develop and maintain project plans, track milestones, manage dependencies, and communicate status to the Senior Manager and cross‑functional stakeholders with precision; Translate business requirements into functional specifications for system enhancements, automation opportunities, and workflow redesign; and Serve as the analytical bridge between AP operations and IT during system implementations, ensuring data integrity, reporting continuity, and operational readiness. Shared Mailbox & Workflow Analytics Monitor and report on centralized AP inbox performance metrics: response times, SLA adherence, volume trends, and triage effectiveness; and Analyze inbox data to identify workflow bottlenecks, staffing implications, and process improvement opportunities, delivering actionable recommendations to leadership. Cross‑Functional Partnership Serve as the AP function’s analytics partner to Procurement, Finance, and firm leadership — delivering data‑driven insights that inform vendor strategy, cash flow planning, and operational investment decisions; Collaborate with the Controller’s Office, Treasury, and Tax on reporting, reconciliation, and compliance matters; and Represent the AP function in cross‑departmental working groups, system governance committees, and transformation steering meetings with analytical credibility and confidence. Performance & Operational Accountability Meet or exceed defined targets for reporting accuracy, timeliness, audit readiness, and project milestone delivery as measured by individual and team KPIs; Maintain continuous visibility with the Senior Manager on deliverable status, emerging risks, and resource needs — no surprises; and Model a standard of analytical rigor, intellectual curiosity, and professional accountability that elevates the broader AP team. Proficiencies Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple workstreams, track milestones, and communicate status to senior stakeholders with precision; Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate data into executive‑ready narratives, dashboards, and strategic recommendations; Proven ability to operate effectively in environments with competing priorities, tight deadlines, and high standards for accuracy and documentation; and Proficiency in data visualization tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or Cognos. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Analytics, or related field; Minimum 5 years of experience in accounts payable, finance operations, or a related function, with at least 4 years in an analytical, controls, project management or reporting‑focused role; Demonstrated expertise in financial reporting, data analysis, and dashboard development using Excel (advanced: pivot tables, VLOOKUP/INDEX‑MATCH, Power Query, macros) and/or BI tools; Strong working knowledge of GAAP, SOX compliance requirements, and internal controls as they relate to the AP and P2P lifecycle; Proven experience leading audit coordination, including evidence gathering, control walkthroughs, deficiency tracking, and remediation management; Experience owning corporate card program administration, reconciliation, and vendor management; Direct experience with Elite 3E or comparable legal industry ERP/financial management systems; Familiarity with Emburse (Chrome River) for expense reporting and invoice management; Experience with procure‑to‑pay (P2P) platforms such as Zycus, Coupa, or equivalent, including implementation, UAT, or reporting design; Experience with duplicate payment detection tools or audit recovery programs; Familiarity with process mapping methodologies (Visio, Lucidchart, Lean/Six Sigma); Professional certifications such as CAPP, APM, or CPA (or in progress) are a plus; and Prior experience in a law firm or professional services environment. Employees will be provided with an excellent career opportunity in a collaborative environment, in addition to a generous total compensation package with the opportunity to earn bonuses based on individual contribution and firm profitability. The actual salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. This role is exempt meaning it is not overtime pay eligible. Eligible employees can participate in the Firm’s comprehensive benefits program, which include the following: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life/AD&D, Long Term Care, and Short- and Long-Term Disability; Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Account; Healthcare Concierge and Advocacy; Lifestyle Spending Account; Voluntary 401(k) Plan and Profit Sharing; 10 Paid Holidays per year and a generous PTO Program; Family Support including Paid Parental Leave, Fertility Benefits, Breast Milk Shipping, Back‑up Child Care, Elder Care, and Tutoring; Wellbeing programs (Employee Assistance Program, Relationship Support, Mental Health, Menopause and Midlife Health and Well-Being Events); Retirement Plan Consulting; Anniversary Bonus Program; Professional Development Programs; Transportation and Commuter Benefits; International Travel Insurance; Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Accident Insurance; Auto/Home/Pet Insurance; Prepaid Legal Insurance; Employee Discounts; And More! The Firm fosters an open and inclusive work environment that enables us to provide clients with the innovative thinking of teams rich in talent, experience, and creativity. We regularly host programs intended to increase cultural competencies and address key topics related to community, opportunity and inclusion. Learn more about our Global Inclusion initiatives here: Global Inclusion Paul Hastings is an equal opportunity employer. Pursuant to applicable local law, we will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the relevant fair chance ordinance. #J-18808-Ljbffr Paul Hastings