Accounts Payable Accountant

Brooklyn Botanic Garden•New York, NY

11h•$64,000 - $80,000•Onsite

About The Position

The accounts payable bookkeeper is responsible for Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s full-cycle accounts payable process, ensuring timely and accurate processing of invoices while maintaining compliance with internal controls and accounting policies. This role plays a key part in safeguarding company assets, managing vendor relationships, and supporting financial reporting through proper accruals, reconciliations, and documentation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 4 to 6 years of experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience
Knowledge of accounting and understanding of the general ledger and how they relate invoices
Working knowledge of MS Word and Excel
Proven facility in data entry, customer service, and problem resolution
Detail oriented
General ability to work independently and as a team
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Should be self-motivated, able to prioritize and plan work activities, and use time efficiently

Responsibilities

Review incoming invoices for completeness, accuracy, and proper authorization.
Prepare and process weekly payment runs (checks, ACH, wire transfers).
Verify pricing, quantities, tax calculations, and payment terms.
Maintain strong internal controls to prevent duplicate or fraudulent payments.
Identify and escalate discrepancies and missing approvals.
Set up and maintain vendor records to ensure all documentation is updated, including W-9 forms, contact information, and banking details.
Ensure compliance with IRS 1099 reporting requirements and assist in year-end 1099 filing.
Respond to vendor inquiries regarding payment status or discrepancies.
Reconcile vendor statements and resolve discrepancies, including resolution of prior balances.
Resolve payment issues in a timely and professional manner.
Assist with month-end closing, including accruals and account reconciliations.
Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and approval hierarchies.
Maintain organized and accurate account payables files and records.
Support audits by providing required documentation.
Identify opportunities to improve AP processes and increase efficiency.
Support implementation or upgrades of accounting AP systems.
Assist in automation initiatives (invoice scanning, workflow approvals, etc).
Acts as liaison between vendors and Business Office.
Maintain all accounts payable reports, spreadsheets, and files.
Monitor outstanding checks and follows up with payees, where appropriate.
Serve as custodian of petty cash for reimbursement of expenditures made by staff.
Prepare Postage Cost Allocations.
Perform any other department or related duties or special projects as directed.

Benefits

Health Insurance that begins the date of hire; employees are offered coverage through the City of New York’s Office of Labor Relations and can choose from a variety of plans, some at no cost to the employee.
Dental/Vision/Prescription Benefits
Pre-Tax Benefits including flexible spending, dependent care, transit/parking accounts
CIRS Pension/401K/Life Insurance: BBG is a member of the Cultural Institutions Retirement System (CIRS) and offers a pension and 401K plan for eligible employees. Life insurance is provided through CIRS as well.
Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Insurance
Generous Paid Time Off including sick time, vacation time, and 13 annual holidays
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligible Employer
Museum Pass, which provides employees the opportunity to enter many museums in New York City for free
Free Garden admission for employee plus one guest
Employee discount at BBG’s retail shop and food venues