Accounts Payable and Tax Manager

Our Finance team is currently seeking an Accounts Payable and Tax Manager who can provide exceptional leadership and organization to the Center’s disbursing operations. This position provides strategic guidance and manages critical functions including vendor payments, student and employee reimbursements, and other outbound financial transactions. Additional duties include the supervision and training of staff, managing workflows and deliverables with our established financial systems, and partnering with internal and external stakeholders to support financial integrity and service excellence. Disbursement Operations Models appropriate behaviors and professional standards of conduct to ensure a high-performance, customer service-oriented work environment that supports the Center’s mission, objectives, and values. Oversees all disbursement transactions and activities, ensuring payments are processed accurately and timely. Assumes standard transactional duties alongside Disbursing staff during unusual or busy periods. Oversees processing of payments in accordance with organizational policies and contractual obligations. Ensures payments are allowable and appropriate in accordance with applicable federal and state regulations, tax withholding requirements, and with the established terms and conditions set forth. Monitors staff output to maintain service levels and the progression of departmental projects and activities. Serves as the point of contact for complex discrepancies and issues that require additional research. Escalates critical problems to the supervisor for guidance and direction. Oversees the organization and maintenance of both physical and digital disbursing files and records, including documents related to reportable vendor, participant, or employee payments. Executes file archival processes timely and in accordance with audit standards. Prepares and distributes federal and state tax forms as required by tax regulation authority. Compliance and Internal Controls Recommends, maintains, and enforces internal controls within the unit and across the Center to safeguard assets and ensure compliance with applicable regulations and audit standards. Ensures work and deliverables adhere to federal, state, and Center guidelines (e.g., grant compliance, tax reporting requirements, and procurement policies). Maintains up-to-date knowledge with federal and state agency disbursing regulations, federal travel, VISA, and IRS regulations, including the timely filing of W-2, 1099s, and other required reports. Communicates regulation changes and ensures staff are properly educated on how to apply changes to their daily work. Provides technical and administrative support to the finance team during internal and external audits, including documentation and corrective action implementation in response to audit findings. Provides counsel and direction to programs regarding the classification and processing of expenditures related to travel arrangements, per diem allowances, foreign currency conversions, and other related travel expenses. Assists in the development of Center policies and procedures as it relates to disbursement, reimbursement, billing, and coding. Financial Systems and Process Improvement Manages and optimizes disbursement workflows within the new Enterprise Resource Planning system (ERP) or other established financial systems. Supports the testing and implementation process to ensure optimum performance and accuracy. Identifies and maintains a cadence for reviewing and implementing process improvement opportunities that enhance the unit’s efficiency, accuracy, and automation. Collaborates with management and leadership teams to identify opportunities on system upgrades, integrations, and reporting enhancements. Reporting and Analysis Coordinates the calendar year-end tax reporting for the Center. Prepares and reviews regular and ad hoc reports related to all disbursement activities, aging, and cash outflows for management review. Reconciles related accounts and investigates discrepancies. Submits analysis and corrective recommendations to ensure accurate reporting to the General Ledger. Analyzes both operational and financial trends within the industry and recommends improvements to the supervisor. Personnel Management Supervises work and performance of designated staff. Sets work priorities, provides guidance, and directs workflow to ensure work is timely and accurate. Organizes work schedules and manages requests for time off in an appropriate and timely manner. Establishes workloads and assures work assignments fall within each position’s work scope and adhere to collective bargaining agreements. Conducts performance evaluations that are timely, constructive, transparent, and unbiased. Provides coaching for performance improvement and guidance for career development. Oversees and facilitates the training of new staff within the unit. Maintains catalog of operational procedures and resources to assure training is informative, consistent, and effective. Interacts effectively and diplomatically in all areas of employee relations, always projecting a professional image while exercising the highest degree of confidentiality. Coordinates with HR in responding to employee concerns or complaints, performance issues, and/or inappropriate behavior. Attends supervisor training(s) as required. Qualifications Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or a related field; and at least three (3) years of progressively responsible work experience in finance or accounts payable that demonstrates the knowledge and ability to perform the major duties of this position.
• Experience demonstrates familiarity and understanding of state and federal tax regulations, and the capacity and understanding to motivate, resolve conflict, plan, organize, and delegate the work of others in a unionized work environment.
• Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize, and coordinate work involving a wide variety of tasks; to take initiative and work independently and cooperatively; to assume responsibility for whole areas of work and integrate information from relevant sources; to gather and/or prepare background materials; to work effectively and deal pleasantly with people of diverse cultural backgrounds; to work under pressure of deadlines and competing demands; to acquire and maintain knowledge of and appropriately apply various policies and procedures; to establish and maintain accurate files and records; to adapt to changes and exercise good judgment; to perform effectively in a non-routine work environment; to appropriately handle confidential information; to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing and to function effectively as a work leader.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous work experience in higher education, non-profit organization, or governmental environment. Supervisory or management experience preferred.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, techniques, and methods of managing a comprehensive accounts payable or disbursing program.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations.

Benefits Competitive Salary: The annual salary for this position starts at $84,700.09 per year with an attractive benefits package that includes health insurance, retirement savings with a generous company match, and paid time off. Career Growth Opportunities: Opportunities to take on additional responsibilities and advance your career within the organization. Supportive Work Environment: Fostering a supportive work environment where employees feel valued and appreciated, encouraging open communication and collaboration and providing the tools and resources needed to succeed. The East-West Center is a full‑time, in‑person role that requires the desired candidate to physically reside in Oahu, Hawaii. As required under Title IX, the East-West Center does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs or activities it operates, including admissions and employment. #J-18808-Ljbffr eastwestcenter