Senior Accounts Payable Specialist

Full-time

Description

Recruitment Period: 10/07/2026 - Until Filled

Status: Full-Time, 40 hours/week

Salary Information: Annual Minimum Salary-$58,400-Annual Maximum Salary-$93,400

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) was founded as a 501(c) (3) non-profit medical institution in 2005 aimed at increasing access to health care in medically underserved areas of the Pacific Northwest.

The University currently offers the degrees of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Dental Medicine, Master of Biomedical Sciences, and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy enrolling over 550 students annually. Interprofessional education partnerships with other universities adds another 100 students to the population. The campus includes 300 employees with academic programming spread over a five-state region.

PNWU is located in Yakima, WA, a city of approximately 95,000 located in the south-central part of the state near the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains in a major agricultural and outdoor recreation region. It is approximately 140 miles from Seattle, 170 miles from Portland, and 200 miles from Spokane. The Yakima Valley is a wonderful place to live, work and play. For more information, visit .

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) does not sponsor employment visas. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and for the duration of their employment with PNWU. Employment eligibility will be verified in accordance with federal law.

General Summary:

The Senior Accounts Payable Specialist is responsible for the accurate, timely, and efficient administration of the University’s accounts payable function. The position independently manages accounts payable activities including invoice processing, payment preparation, vendor maintenance, employee reimbursements, tax reporting, account reconciliation, and related financial records.

The Senior Accounts Payable Specialist serves as the University’s primary accounts payable resource and works closely with University departments, vendors, and Finance staff to ensure expenditures are properly authorized, accurately recorded, appropriately supported, and paid in accordance with University policies and established payment terms. The position supports strong internal controls and continued improvement and automation of the University’s procure-to-pay processes.

Because nearly every department relies on accounts payable, the Senior Accounts Payable Specialist builds trusting, service-oriented relationships across the University, explains requirements clearly and without judgment, and follows through consistently so colleagues and vendors can count on the process. The position takes ownership of the end-to-end function, approaches exceptions with curiosity and sound judgment, seeks and applies feedback, and understands that careful stewardship of University resources supports PNWU’s students and communities.

Essential Job Functions:

Duties an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Accounts Payable Processing

• Manage the University’s accounts payable process, ensuring invoices and other payment requests are processed accurately and timely.
• Review invoices, purchase orders, reimbursements, and other payment documentation for appropriate authorization, coding, supporting documentation, and compliance with University policies.
• Enter and maintain accounts payable transactions in the University’s financial system and ensure expenses are recorded in the appropriate accounting period.
• Research incomplete, duplicate, unusual, or improperly authorized transactions and obtain resolution before payment.
• Monitor outstanding invoices and payment obligations and follow up with departments regarding missing approvals or documentation.
• Process employee reimbursements and other approved payment requests in accordance with University policies.
• Maintain complete and organized electronic or other appropriate documentation supporting accounts payable transactions.

Payment Processing and Cash Management Support

• Prepare EFT/ACH and check payment batches in accordance with established payment schedules, approval requirements, and internal controls.
• Submit payment batches and supporting documentation for required Finance review and approval prior to release.
• Schedule payments in accordance with established vendor terms, due dates, available discounts, and University cash-management practices.
• Coordinate approved urgent or special payments when necessary.
• Research returned, rejected, stale-dated, duplicate, or otherwise unresolved payments and coordinate appropriate corrective action.
• Support the continued transition from paper checks and manual payment processes to secure and efficient electronic payment methods.

Vendor Management

• Maintain accurate vendor records and supporting documentation in accordance with established internal controls.
• Obtain and review required vendor documentation, including Forms W-9 and payment information.
• Coordinate vendor setup and changes while maintaining appropriate segregation of duties and verification controls.
• Respond to vendor inquiries regarding invoice status, payment timing, and other accounts payable matters with professionalism and courtesy, recognizing that vendor relationships reflect on the University.
• Research vendor statement discrepancies, duplicate invoices, outstanding credits, and other account issues.
• Work collaboratively with University departments to resolve vendor and payment issues.

Accounts Payable Accounting and Reconciliation

• Reconcile accounts payable subsidiary records and assigned accounts to the general ledger.
• Research and resolve accounts payable discrepancies and outstanding reconciling items.
• Prepare accounts payable accruals and other assigned journal entries and supporting schedules for monthly and year-end close.
• Review accounts payable activity for appropriate account, department, program, grant, and other financial coding.
• Coordinate with accounting staff to ensure accounts payable activity is appropriately reflected in University financial statements.
• Identify unusual transactions, accounting errors, or potential control concerns and communicate them promptly to the Controller.

Tax and Regulatory Responsibilities

• Coordinate annual vendor tax reporting, including preparation and distribution of Forms 1099 and related filings.
• Maintain appropriate vendor tax documentation and classifications.
• Assist with applicable sales/use tax, B&O tax, and other accounts payable-related tax reporting and reconciliation.
• Monitor accounts payable practices for compliance with applicable University policies and federal and state requirements.
• Maintain records in accordance with applicable record-retention requirements.

Procurement and Purchasing Support

• Support the financial-control component of the University’s purchasing and procurement processes.
• Verify that purchases comply with established approval authorities, procurement requirements, purchasing policies, and documentation standards before payment.
• Coordinate with the Purchasing Manager and University departments to resolve purchase order, invoice, receiving, approval, and vendor discrepancies.
• Assist with monitoring compliance with purchasing requirements and communicate recurring issues or exceptions to Finance leadership.
• Provide accounts payable information and analysis that supports vendor management, purchasing decisions, and identification of opportunities for improved payment terms or efficiencies.

Audit and Internal Controls

• Prepare accounts payable schedules, reports, reconciliations, and supporting documentation for the annual financial statement audit and other audits or reviews.
• Respond to auditor requests and assist with research and resolution of accounts payable questions.
• Maintain appropriate segregation of duties and internal controls throughout invoice processing, vendor maintenance, and payment preparation.
• Identify unusual vendor activity, payment requests, control concerns, policy exceptions, or suspected duplicate or inappropriate transactions and promptly escalate them to the Controller.
• Assist with implementation of corrective actions resulting from audits, reviews, or identified control deficiencies.

Financial Systems and Process Improvement

• Serve as the primary Finance resource for accounts payable processes within the University’s financial system.
• Participate in testing, implementation, and optimization of accounts payable, purchasing, payment, and ERP system functionality.
• Identify opportunities to automate invoice routing, approvals, vendor payments, record retention, and other manual processes.
• Maintain written accounts payable procedures, processing calendars, checklists, and documentation.
• Recommend improvements that strengthen internal controls, reduce processing time, improve vendor relationships, and increase operational efficiency.

Finance Team Collaboration and Professional Practice

• Serve as the primary resource for University departments regarding accounts payable procedures, documentation requirements, payment status, and related questions, explaining requirements clearly and helpfully to non-financial colleagues.
• Collaborate with the Controller, accounting staff, Purchasing Manager, and other University departments to resolve financial and purchasing issues, and provide accounts payable information and analysis for financial reporting, budgeting, audit, and other institutional needs.
• Maintain appropriate cross-training and documentation to support backup accounts payable processing and business continuity.
• Take initiative and ownership for assigned work, follow through on commitments, and communicate early when a deadline or result is at risk.
• Build trusting working relationships across Finance and with University departments, clarifying expectations and roles before and during shared work and including the right people in the right conversations.
• Resolve differences constructively and with care, listening to understand others’ perspectives and engaging in honest dialogue when there is disagreement.
• Actively seek and apply feedback, regularly ask whether the work is being done right, and pursue continuous learning and technical growth relevant to current and future responsibilities.
• Connect daily work to PNWU’s mission of serving rural and medically underserved communities, understanding how accurate, well-stewarded financial information supports students and the University. 

Other duties as assigned

Standard Institutional Requirements (apply to all roles):

• Performs job duties in accordance with safety, legal, and regulatory requirements; University policy and procedures; and accepted business practices.
• Acts with the highest level of professional ethical standards in all aspects of job performance, in accordance with the mission and values of PNWU.
• Understands and adheres to accreditation standards and expectations specific to the department.

Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Pro-rated based on hours/week. For this role, our anticipated hiring range is $58,400/$93,400 annual.

Every range at PNWU divides into four quartiles anchored at the midpoint. Quartile placement blends what a person brings and how they perform, which is our commitment to behaviors and results expressed in placement mechanics. The general framework:

• 1st Quartile ($58,400-$67,150/annual). New to this level or role. Brings relevant experience but is new to the scope of work at this level; developing the full breadth of the role; generally 0 to 3 years at this level. Meets expectations and is still establishing a track record.
• 2nd Quartile ($67,150-$75,900/annual). Developing to proficient; generally 3 to 5 years at this level or equivalent. Proficient across core responsibilities, consistently meets and sometimes exceeds expectations, and has established credibility with colleagues and partners.
• 3rd Quartile ($75,900-$84,650/annual). Fully qualified and performing at market rate. The midpoint marks the fully qualified employee whose performance is satisfactory in all respects. Substantial experience, generally 5 to 10 years; consistently strong performance; serves as a trusted expert resource.
• 4th Quartile ($84,650-$93,00/annual). Highly skilled, consistently high-performing, high-contributing. Extensive experience, typically 10 or more years; recognized institutional expert whose work adds significant value. Reserved for the most senior and exceptional cases.

Requirements

Education & Experience:

To perform the essential functions of this position, the incumbent must have:

• An associate degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field from an accredited institution. AND Four years of progressively responsible accounts payable, accounting, or closely related financial experience. OR
• An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the essential functions of the position.

Desired Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, with the ability to independently manage an end-to-end accounts payable function.
• Strong understanding of internal controls and segregation of duties, and the ability to identify unusual transactions, documentation deficiencies, and policy exceptions and escalate concerns appropriately.
• High degree of integrity, accountability, and professional judgment.
• Strong reconciliation, research, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication and customer-service skills, with the ability to explain accounts payable requirements clearly to vendors and non-financial colleagues.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.
• Proficiency with financial systems, electronic payment platforms, and related reporting tools.
• Reliability, ownership, and follow-through, with a track record of delivering accurate work on recurring deadlines.
• Ability to solve non-routine problems with curiosity and sound judgment, and to recognize when a matter should be escalated.
• Ability to build trusting working relationships across Finance and with departments throughout the University.
• Openness to feedback and a demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.
• Emotional intelligence and flexibility in navigating change, ambiguity, and differences in communication style and workstyle.
• Ability to connect day-to-day financial work to PNWU’s mission and to the students and communities the University serves.
• Commitment to process improvement, automation, documentation, and responsible stewardship of University resources.

To ensure full consideration submit:

• A letter of introduction outlining background and qualifications for the position.
• Detailed resume.
• Contact information for three professional references.

The job announcement above is not the full job description but represents the job responsibilities and requirements. A full job description can be provided upon request.

PNWU offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees first of the month following date of hire and competitive salary.

Benefit Package:

• Health Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• 403b with Roth Option
• Paid Holidays

PNWU is a drug-free workplace, equal opportunity employer and educational institution. To request this publication in an alternative format, or to apply in an alternative format, please call Human Resources, View phone number on jobs.jobcopilot.com.

Salary Description

$58,400 to $93,400