Accounts Payable Specialist

Accounts Payable Specialist

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health at Tewksbury Hospital is accepting applications for an Accountant II Accounts Payable Specialist, where your expertise will directly support the financial operations of a vital healthcare facility. In this role, you will play an essential part in ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of accounts payable processes, from analyzing financial data and reconciling transactions to preparing payments and advising on accounting practices. You will collaborate closely with internal departments and external vendors, helping to resolve discrepancies, maintain compliance with state and federal regulations, and support smooth day-to-day fiscal operations. This position offers a strong opportunity to build and apply your accounting knowledge in a mission-driven public health environment. You will gain exposure to complex financial systems, state procedures, and healthcare-related fiscal operations while contributing to meaningful work that supports patient care and hospital services. Ideal candidates will value accuracy, collaboration, and problem-solving, and will thrive in a role that combines independent analytical work with cross-functional communication.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Interpret and apply state, hospital, and federal laws, regulations, and accounting procedures to ensure compliance with financial reporting requirements.
• Analyze and reconcile accounts payable records, invoices, transactions, and statements to maintain accuracy and adherence to established standards.
• Prepare and process payments for goods and services in accordance with applicable state rules, regulations, and agency policies.
• Monitor and verify vendor invoices, credits, and purchase orders to determine accurate payment amounts and resolve discrepancies.
• Collaborate with vendors, hospital departments, and external agencies to address accounting issues, obtain documentation, and ensure timely resolution of discrepancies.
• Maintain accounts payable, purchasing, and financial records, including filing and documentation of payment transactions.
• Enter and manage financial data, including payment scheduling, purchase order encumbrances, and daily cash receipts within financial systems.
• Prepare financial reports, including monthly spenddown reports, and provide data to support departmental and organizational decision-making.
• Manage patient-related financial activities, including maintaining revenue ledgers, reconciling patient funds, and recording benefit payments.
• Provide technical assistance and support to staff and stakeholders, ensuring understanding and compliance with accounting policies, procedures, and systems.

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of accounting principles, practices, and standard financial terminology
• Ability to analyze financial data, reconcile accounts, and draw appropriate conclusions
• Experience preparing financial and general reports with strong attention to detail
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to accounting operations
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain financial information clearly
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations and solve accounting-related problems
• Proficiency in reviewing financial documents such as ledgers, invoices, and reports
• Ability to maintain accurate records and handle confidential information with discretion
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with accounts payable and purchasing processes, preferably in a public sector or healthcare setting
• Familiarity with Massachusetts state financial systems (e.g., MMARS) and related procedures
• Experience working with vendors and resolving payment discrepancies
• Knowledge of budget monitoring and encumbrance tracking
• Experience preparing financial reports and supporting audits or compliance reviews
• Proficiency with financial software and systems (e.g., QuickBooks or similar platforms)
• Experience handling cash receipts, deposits, and reconciliation processes
• Ability to provide technical guidance or training to staff on financial procedures
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot financial and transactional issues

About the Department of Public Health:

The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth. We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest states according to comparative analyses, but we face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious disease, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities. DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offer services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to assure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We license health professionals, healthcare facilities and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems.

About Tewksbury Hospital:

Tewksbury Hospital under the Department of Public Health (DPH), is a 370 bed Joint Commission accredited hospital. The hospital provides broad treatment of care and comfort to adults with medical and/or mental illnesses. Tewksbury Hospital offers a broad range of services including a physician on site at all times, around-the-clock nursing care, rehabilitation services including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, psychology services, social services, nutritional services, and an on-site dialysis clinic.