Payroll & Accounts Payable Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Robert Half is currently recruiting for an experienced Payroll & Accounts Payable Manager to oversee payroll operations and payable processes for a large, multi-state workforce in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This role is ideal for a hands-on leader who can strengthen accuracy, improve workflow efficiency, and support compliance within a federal government environment. The position requires someone who is comfortable working across systems, analyzing financial activity, and helping establish effective procedures that support day-to-day operations.

Responsibilities:

• Direct end-to-end payroll processing for more than 500 employees across multiple states, ensuring timely and accurate pay administration.

• Manage accounts payable activities, including invoice review, coding, approvals, and payment coordination in alignment with internal controls.

• Use Deltek Costpoint and Concur to support payroll, expense, and payable functions while maintaining reliable financial records.

• Reconcile payroll and accounts payable transactions, investigate discrepancies, and resolve issues with a high degree of accuracy.

• Develop and refine policies, procedures, and automated workflows to improve consistency, efficiency, and compliance.

• Partner with internal teams to support system integration efforts and help optimize financial and payroll processes.

• Prepare KPI and operational reports that provide visibility into payroll performance, payable trends, and process effectiveness.

• Ensure payroll and accounts payable activities meet company standards and applicable requirements within a federal government setting.

The position will require a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance along with 3+ years of experience in the government sector. The position is 100% onsite and will require some to live in the local Knoxville or surrounding areas. For immediate consideration please contact Lisa Coker at View phone number on us.fitly.work to set up an interview

• At least 3 years of experience managing payroll operations, accounts payable, or a combination of both in a high-volume environment.
• Demonstrated success processing full-cycle payroll for a workforce of 500 or more employees across multiple states.
• Strong working knowledge of Deltek Costpoint, including practical experience supporting payroll or payable functions within the system.
• Experience using Concur and Microsoft Excel for transaction management, reporting, analysis, and reconciliation tasks.
• Solid understanding of invoice coding, account reconciliations, and financial controls related to accounts payable.
• Ability to create, implement, and improve policies, procedures, and automation initiatives that enhance operational performance.
• Familiarity with KPI reporting and the ability to translate data into clear operational insights.
• Experience working in a federal government or government-related environment is strongly preferred.