Accounts Payable Manager

University of Arkansas•Little Rock, AR

About The Position

The Accounts Payable Manager leads, administers, and oversees compliance, internal controls, continuous improvement, and daily operations for the University’s Accounts Payable function. Reporting to the Controller, the position ensures University obligations are processed accurately and promptly in accordance with University policies, state and federal requirements, and established controls. The manager supervises Accounts Payable staff and serves as the functional subject matter expert for Accounts Payable processes in Workday. The role oversees payment and settlement activities, card reconciliations, banking and fraud-prevention processes, Form 1099 reporting, sales and use tax processes, audit support, and year-end activities. It also works with Procurement Services, Research and Sponsored Programs, Payroll, General Accounting, and University departments to resolve issues and improve procure-to-pay processes. The position develops and maintains procedures, internal controls, training, and process documentation; monitors workloads and unresolved transactions; and identifies opportunities to improve efficiency, customer service, controls, and use of Workday functionality and automation. Salary is commensurate with education and experience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field.
Five years of related professional experience.
Two years of supervisory experience, including conducting employee performance evaluations.
Knowledge of Accounts Payable principles, practices, internal controls, and payment processes.
Knowledge of Form 1099 reporting requirements and sales and use tax concepts applicable to Accounts Payable.
Knowledge of internal control principles, including segregation of duties and fraud prevention controls.
Ability to supervise, develop, and cross-train staff and manage competing deadlines and workloads.
Ability to analyze complex transactions, research problems, exercise sound judgment, and develop appropriate solutions.
Ability to interpret and apply University policies, state requirements, and applicable financial procedures.
Ability to communicate effectively with University employees, suppliers, auditors, and other stakeholders.
Ability to develop clear procedures, training materials, and operational documentation.
Ability to work collaboratively across Procurement, General Accounting, Payroll, Research Administration, and campus departments.
Ability to identify process inefficiencies and recommend practical improvements.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, lookup functions, pivot tables, filtering, and other tools for reconciling, analyzing, and validating financial data.
Proficiency with enterprise financial systems and other technology used to support Accounts Payable operations.

Nice To Haves

Direct professional Accounts Payable experience, including progressively responsible Accounts Payable functions.
Experience supervising, leading, or providing functional oversight to Accounts Payable or other financial services staff.
Experience with Workday Finance or another ERP system.
Experience in higher education, government, or a state agency environment.
Experience with Form 1099 reporting, internal controls, audit support, and year-end Accounts Payable activities.
Experience developing or improving financial processes, procedures, and internal controls.

Responsibilities

Manage and direct daily Accounts Payable operations, ensuring timely, accurate, compliant, and efficient processing of University obligations.
Supervise, train, guide, cross-train, and provide performance feedback to Accounts Payable staff, while ensuring appropriate coverage for critical functions.
Review and approve supplier invoices and other Accounts Payable transactions in accordance with University policies, delegated authority, documentation standards, and internal controls.
Act as the primary escalation point for complex transactions, supplier payment issues, policy questions, system problems, and other matters requiring management review.
Oversee the resolution of match exceptions, invoice discrepancies, supplier issues, and other Accounts Payable exceptions; guide staff and approve exception overrides when appropriate and permitted by policy.
Collaborate with Procurement Services, the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, Payroll, General Accounting, and University departments to resolve issues and improve procure-to-pay processes.
Develop, maintain, communicate, and periodically evaluate Accounts Payable policies, procedures, desk guides, internal controls, and operating practices; maintain process documentation and continuity and cross-training plans.
Serve as the Accounts Payable subject matter expert for Workday, monitor business processes, identify system and workflow issues, participate in testing, and recommend improvements.
Oversee payment and settlement activities, including payment cycles, exceptions, returned or rejected payments, and issues affecting timely and accurate disbursement.
Oversee and assist with reconciliation of Procurement Card, Travel Card, and CTS card activity to Workday; resolve or escalate discrepancies.
Ensure Accounts Payable banking and fraud-prevention activities, including positive pay and payment exception processes, are completed while maintaining appropriate segregation of duties.
Manage annual Form 1099 reporting, including review of reportable transactions, reconciliations, corrections, coordination with University offices, and timely filing.
Oversee Accounts Payable sales and use tax processes, including identification, review, and reporting of taxable transactions, in coordination with other responsible University offices.
Coordinate Accounts Payable responses to internal and external audit requests and ensure supporting documentation and records are maintained.
Coordinate Accounts Payable year-end activities, including invoice cutoff, identification of outstanding obligations, support for related accruals, reconciliations, and coordination with General Accounting.
Provide University departments with guidance, training, and communication about Accounts Payable procedures, payment requirements, documentation standards, and Workday processes.
Monitor operations and identify opportunities to strengthen controls, improve efficiency and customer service, reduce delays, and leverage Workday functionality and automation.
Monitor workloads, unresolved issues, aged transactions, and other operational matters requiring management attention.
Perform other duties and responsibilities consistent with the scope and level of the position.