Senior Payroll and Accounts Payable Specialist

Overview

A Senior Payroll and Accounts Payable Specialist role is available to oversee outgoing payments, ensuring vendor invoices and payments are processed accurately and on time. This position involves verifying invoice details, resolving payment discrepancies, maintaining vendor relationships, supporting audit activities, contributing to month-end closing, and potentially mentoring junior staff.

Responsibilities

• Gather, review, and verify all necessary supporting documentation (approvals, invoices, requisitions) for final finance approval to process accounts payable invoices.
• Review invoices for reasonableness and proper approvals in compliance with existing policies.
• Perform data entry tasks and review for the accounting team.
• Research and resolve discrepancies, payment issues, and vendor credits through communication with internal teams and vendors.
• Generate system reports and collaborate with Human Resources and Accounts Payable departments to ensure timely and accurate payment of benefit plan premiums.
• Coordinate and execute complex tasks related to payroll, salary, and benefits data processing and maintenance.
• Ensure accurate and timely payments to clients, employees, and contractors.
• Conduct research and analysis on payroll discrepancies and process necessary payroll and adjustment entries.
• Identify potential improvements in payroll systems to enhance accuracy and efficiency.
• Review and validate payroll records, including new hires, separations, leaves of absence, and pay rate changes.
• Explain and interpret complex payroll information to employees at all organizational levels.
• Adapt to changes in requirements, processes, and employee contracts to provide current and accurate information.
• Coordinate with HR on employee data related to new hires, terminations, and earning/deduction adjustments for payroll processing.
• Prepare and process Quarterly Tax Returns, W2s, and 1099s with accuracy.
• Execute statistical reporting and audits related to employee remuneration, including pay, commissions, bonuses, leave, disability, workers' compensation, taxes, and deductions.
• Complete post-payroll audits, generate reports, establish metrics, and track issues.
• Document and maintain department job aids and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to present financial information to non-financial audiences.
• Working knowledge of financial strategies.
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Detail-oriented and able to perform under high-pressure conditions.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and financial systems such as SAP or Oracle.
• Professional demeanor with appropriate boundaries with clients and staff.
• Reliable attendance and preparedness for work, meetings, training, and job-related activities.
• Demonstrates compassion, effort, and ownership in interactions and responsibilities.
• Maintains an open and accepting mindset, actively learning and engaging in discussions for continual personal and professional growth.

Education and Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, required.
• APA Certification, preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field, preferred.

Working Conditions

• Work may be performed in an office or home office setting.
• Frequent standing, walking, sitting, and use of hands; occasional lifting/moving of up to 25 pounds.
• Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Exposure to typical office noise; ability to hear and speak.
• For remote work, a stable and secure private home internet connection is required with minimum speeds of 50 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload, and average jitter less than 20% of latency.