Senior Accounts Payable Specialist

Our client is looking for a hands-on, detail-focused Senior Accounts Payable Specialist to join its New York-based Accounting team. This individual will take ownership of key AP activities, from invoice review and payment processing through reconciliations, reporting, and month-end close.

The successful candidate will be someone who is comfortable working independently, has strong accounting fundamentals, and can effectively navigate issues from identification through resolution. This is an excellent opportunity for an individual who enjoys a fast-moving environment and is interested in contributing to process improvements while partnering with teams throughout the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day processing of both service-related and inventory invoices, ensuring transactions are accurately reviewed and recorded.
• Manage invoice workflows within Concur, including coding, supporting documentation, and required approvals.
• Process and validate electronic invoice information within SAP S/4HANA, ensuring data is complete and accurate before posting.
• Investigate discrepancies between invoices, purchase information, payments, and accounting records and coordinate appropriate resolution.
• Act as a primary resource for vendors and internal business partners concerning invoice status, payment questions, and AP issues.
• Review the AP aging regularly and take proactive steps to clear past-due or outstanding balances.
• Coordinate scheduled payment activity, including electronic payments and check runs, while adhering to established approval procedures and internal controls.
• Record AP-related journal entries and ensure appropriate treatment within the general ledger.
• Complete AP account reconciliations and research differences or unusual balances through resolution.
• Prepare monthly AP analyses, schedules, and management reporting.
• Assist with monthly and annual financial close processes, including accruals and other AP-related activities.
• Review AP transactions for proper coding, accuracy, completeness, and adequate supporting documentation.
• Assist with internal and external audit requests by gathering schedules, documentation, and transaction support.
• Maintain and enhance AP and purchasing procedures, process documentation, and related controls.
• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, strengthen controls, reduce errors, and improve the overall efficiency of the AP function.
• Work closely with Finance, Procurement, and other internal groups to resolve issues and improve cross-functional processes.
• Educate internal partners on AP policies, procedures, and appropriate invoice/payment practices.
• Participate in special accounting projects, system initiatives, and ad hoc analysis as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related discipline.
• Approximately 57 years of progressive AP and/or accounting experience.
• Strong working knowledge of AP operations, general ledger accounting, account reconciliations, and financial close procedures.
• Experience working with SAP/S/4HANA and Concur Invoice is highly desirable.
• Advanced or strong intermediate Excel capabilities and proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Proven ability to independently investigate and resolve complex invoice, vendor, and payment issues.
• Strong analytical skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Excellent organization and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage competing deadlines.
• Demonstrated ownership, initiative, and follow-through in an accounting environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively with vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Comfortable operating in a dynamic, entrepreneurial organization where priorities can change quickly.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate is more than an invoice processor. We are looking for someone who understands why the numbers need to be right, can identify issues before they become larger problems, and takes ownership of getting things resolved. A strong candidate will bring a combination of technical AP knowledge, sound accounting judgment, curiosity, and a continuous-improvement mindset