Accounts Payable Specialist

Accounts Payable Specialist
Union Position
Accounts Payable Staff; Portland, Oregon (US-OR)
Regular FT, Non-Exempt
Posting # 5735

About Us:

At NW Natural, we offer more than rewarding career opportunities and a vibrant, inclusive work culture. We invite you to join us in providing safe and reliable utility services and renewable energy to better the lives of the communities we serve. Our vision is to be the leader in service excellence, innovation and environmental stewardship for our customers, while building on our strengths as a trusted energy provider and environmental leader for our industry.

In addition to environmental stewardship, we’re also deeply committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at NW Natural. Our DEI Council started 21 years ago, and today we continue to foster a culture where all employees can experience a sense of belonging, shared purpose and possibility.

Position Summary:

Performs general clerical accounting duties.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Adjusts, reconciles, and verifies accounting-related information.
• Reviews and processes paperwork and forms.
• Communicates with internal and external customers to answer questions and resolve issues.
• Researches and investigates discrepancies.
• Follows up to resolve issues.
• Maintains documentation for audit purposes.
• Maintains databases or spreadsheets and creates invoices or reports.
• Trains, assists, and provides feedback to less-experienced workers at the direction of supervisor, which may include providing feedback to supervisor on progress of training.
• Performs other tasks as required, including those in lower levels as referenced in the Collective Bargaining Agreement, with training as needed.
• Acts and communicates in a professional, respectful, and cooperative manner in connection with all activities associated with NW Natural.
• Follows supervisory instructions and is flexible and adaptable to changing conditions and expectations.
• Maintains punctual, regular, and reliable attendance.
• Demonstrates the Company’s core values and complies with all Company policies and procedures.
• Must be able to perform all the functions of an Accounting 1 and backup that position as needed.
• Verifies account distribution approvals and authorizations for disbursement.
• Checks and enters all invoice data into the SAP accounting system, routes requests to business customers and ensures invoices are paid on time.
• Process payables for multiple companies
• Gain and maintain ability to operate technologically advanced or collaborative invoice interface systems. May be required to draft and update reports related to the account payable process.
• May require possible overtime during month-end close.
• Prepare and assist with month-end accruals.

Qualifications:

• Must have 6 months recent Accounting experience or equivalent education.
• Accounts payable knowledge and experience, including knowledge of debits and credits required.
• One to two years accounting or equivalent experience preferred.
• Basic math and reading skills.
• Basic ability to access, input, and retrieve information from a computer.
• Typing at 35 wpm.
• Data entry skills of 6,000 kph with 90% accuracy.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the Company’s organization, inter-relationships, policies, procedures, processes, and department/work specific requirements.
• Ability to interface with employees and customers to answer questions or resolve issues with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to deal with sensitive information in a confidential manner.
• Ability to concentrate on tasks, apply procedures in sequence, make decisions with limited information, and work in a structured team environment.
• Sustained sitting for 6-8 hours per day, hand/finger dexterity, and ability to grasp, bend, lift, reach, and stoop.
• Ability to create and update Excel spreadsheets including simple formulas and tables.
• Experience with SAP, AP or other accounting software system required.
• Experience with e-mail attachments, folders, and scanning required.
• Ability to perform multiple tasks and prioritize workload.
• Ability to pivot from one task to another quickly.
• Must have a firm understanding of accrual accounting and how it is applied in A/P.
• Experience in a fast-paced, high volume office environment preferred.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.

Qualification Period : 6 months

What we offer:




Health & Wellness -

• Rich health insurance benefits with competitive employer contribution
• Free access to an online wellness resources platform

Work Life Balance -

• Start with 16 PTO Days (Amount varies based on accrued work hours)
• 10 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays
• 3 weeks paid parental leave
• Be part of a workplace where your voice matters. Engage with our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council, and a variety of Employee Resource Groups that support community and growth.
• Numerous volunteer and community engagement opportunities

Financial -

• Competitive 401K company contribution and match
• 15% discount on NW Natural stock through Employee Stock Purchase Program
• Up to $5250 a year in tuition reimbursement
• Wellness incentive program

Discounts -

• 20% off natural gas service
• Up to 30% discount at NW Natural Appliance Center
• TriMet Pass for all HQ employees
• Generous discounts with Verizon & AT&T Wireless

Hourly Rate: $33.10

Application Process: To be considered for this position, submit a complete electronic application including cover letter and resume via our website.

Deadline: 10/27/26

Disclosure: We are a drug free workplace and we comply with Federal Drug Free Workplace Act and Department of Transportation regulations. NW Natural participates in E-Verify. Individuals hired will have their Form I-9 information submitted to E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee’s Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.

E-Verify Information
NW Natural participates in E-Verify. Individuals hired will have their Form I-9 information submitted to E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee’s Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.

NW Natural is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and embrace our candidates’ diversity and take affirmative action to employ and advance individuals without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, marital status, genetic information, and all other legally protected characteristics. We forbid discrimination and harassment in the workplace based on any protected status or characteristic. A criminal history is not an automatic bar to employment with NW Natural. Instead, we make individualized assessments regarding qualifications and backgrounds. NW Natural is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation as part of the application process, please contact us at View email address on click.appcast.io or View phone number on click.appcast.io.

NW Natural does not accept unsolicited submissions or assistance from search firms for posted positions. Resumes submitted by search firms working under a valid and current written contract with NW Natural valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from NW Natural HR/Employment will be deemed the sole property of NW Natural. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by NW Natural as a result of the referral or through other means.