Accounts Payable Lead

Job Description

Job Description

Description

Ascensus Specialties is a world class chemical manufacturing company looking to expand our Finance Team in Newburyport, MA. We have 50+ years of history with many of our Team Members finding that we offer more than just a job today, but a long-term career. 

The AP Purchasing Lead position is a vital role within Ascensus to enable the Company to process critical financial data through their ERP system in a timely and accurate manner. This process has a direct impact upon the overall accuracy and dependability of Ascensus financial statements used by Management to make day to day business decisions. Primary responsibilities include daily processing of vendor invoices and purchase requisitions. This position will also assist the Controller and Senior Accountant with various daily accounting functions & monthly closing procedures. 

In addition, this position will have ownership on the site’s payroll processing activities in a timely and very accurate manner. This process is critical to the site in that Ascensus requires that all employees are properly compensated in base pay, any earned bonus, and all necessary payroll related deductions. The individual will work closely with the Ascensus Human Resource Team to ensure each employee is properly paid in accordance with all Ascensus policies, federal & state regulations, and other Company benefit programs. 
Key Responsibilities

. Ensure the day-to-day processing of all vendor invoicing is completed in an accurate, effective, and timely manner. Specific tasks include but are not limited to: 
o Open, review, and process vendor invoices into the Site’s ERP system in accordance with Ascensus’ policies and procedures. 
o Assist the Financial Controller and Senior Accountant with the selection and preparation of vendor payments, including coordinating check runs. 
o Work with Departmental Managers or other Ascensus Team Members to ensure items / services invoiced by vendors have been properly ordered by the Company, including, when warranted, covered by a purchase order. Process will also include enhancing process improvements, and ensuring the site’s Financial Controller is properly aware of significant items / issues and. 
o Monitor open receipts/purchase orders; actively reach out to vendors to resolve issues; handle incoming vendor inquiries regarding invoice payment issues or other vendor issues while ensuring the site’s Financial Controllers properly aware of significant items / issues. 
o Support the Bellevue site in processing vendor invoices in SAP system. 
• Ensure that the Site’s payroll process in done in a timely and effective manner. Specific tasks to include: 
o Process the salary and hourly biweekly payrolls 
o Diligent review of items entered into the payroll software to mitigate errors before final processing 
o Assisting with the calculation and processing of any bonus related payrolls o Reconcile and enter payroll into ERP system 
o Review/fund 401k plan according to payroll 
• Assist Human Resources with Employee related tasks; includes but not limited to: 
o Review and process EE benefit (i.e., medical, dental, vison, voluntary benefits). 
o Prepare/review documentation to assist with audits to ensure all compliance regulations are properly adhered in accordance with Ascensus guidelines. 
▪ Worker’s Comp ▪ 401k ▪ FSA/HSA • Primary resource for tracking open past due customer balances including sending correspondence within Ascensus policies. 
• Process all activities and track the Site’s Fixed Assets and the Construction-in-Process (“CIP”) projects in both the Fixed Asset Management System and the Site’s general ledger 
o Work with Operations to ensure CIP is accurate and in line with budget 
o Transfer CIP to Fixed Assets upon completion of project, working closely with project manager to ensure all charges are properly accounted for within the general ledger 
• Assist in preparation of selected schedules and supporting documents for the monthly closing of the site’s general ledger that the Site’s Finance Manager assigns. 
• Perform special projects, as required, to assist the business and broader team in achieving its goals and objectives. 

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Basic qualifications: 
• Strong communication skills, including ability to speak with vendors in a positive / decisive manner 
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw conclusions. 
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills including the ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw conclusions. 
• Ability to manage priorities and workflow 
• Ability to work independently and as a member of various teams and committees 
• Proven ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines 

Prefer: 
• Two or more years of account payable processing experience preferred 
• Knowledge of the fundamental principles and practices of accounting preferred 
• General understanding of vendor invoicing and payment process 
• Knowledge of SAP software is preferred but not required. 
• Strong skills in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. 

Educational Requirements: 
• Associate degree in Accounting or equivalent preferred 
Benefits

This position is eligible for a bonus based on individual and company performance.

Comprehensive Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision - effective day one of employment.
• 401(k) with company match with immediate vesting - effective first of the month, following date of hire.
  • First 3% is matched dollar-for-dollar.
  • Second 3% is matched at 70 cents on the dollar.
• 3 Weeks' Vacation
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Basic Life, AD&D, STD, and LTD provided at no cost to employee.
• Ancillary benefits available such as voluntary life, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, identity theft, whole life with long-term care.