Accounts Payable Manager

University of Arkansas System•Little Rock, AR

About The Position

The Accounts Payable Manager reports to the Controller and leads the administration, compliance, internal controls, continuous improvement, and daily operations of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Accounts Payable function. The position ensures that University obligations are processed accurately, on time, and in accordance with University policies, applicable state and federal requirements, and established internal controls. The manager supervises Accounts Payable staff; oversees invoice, payment, settlement, card reconciliation, tax, and reporting activities; and serves as the functional subject matter expert for Accounts Payable processes in Workday. The position collaborates with other University financial and administrative units, supports audit and year-end activities, and develops procedures, documentation, training, and process improvements.

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 collaborate 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 experience in Accounts Payable, including progressively responsible Accounts Payable functions.
Previous 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 to ensure timely, accurate, compliant, and efficient processing of University obligations.
Supervise Accounts Payable staff by providing training, guidance, performance feedback, cross-training, and 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-related problems, and matters requiring management review.
Oversee resolution of match exceptions, invoice discrepancies, supplier issues, and other Accounts Payable exceptions; guide staff and approve exception overrides when appropriate.
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 an effective cross-training and continuity plan for critical Accounts Payable functions.
Serve as the functional subject matter expert for Accounts Payable processes in Workday, monitoring business processes, identifying system or workflow issues, participating in system testing, and recommending improvements.
Oversee payment and settlement activities, including payment cycles, exceptions, returned or rejected payments, and other issues affecting timely and accurate disbursement.
Oversee and assist with reconciliation of Procurement Card, Travel Card, and CTS card activity to Workday, resolving or escalating discrepancies.
Ensure completion of Accounts Payable banking and fraud-prevention activities, including positive pay and payment exception processes, 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-related sales and use tax processes, including identifying, reviewing, and reporting taxable transactions in coordination with responsible University offices.
Coordinate Accounts Payable responses to internal and external audit requests and maintain appropriate documentation and supporting records.
Coordinate Accounts Payable year-end activities, including invoice cutoff, identification of outstanding obligations, support for related accruals, reconciliations, and coordination with General Accounting.
Provide guidance, training, and communication to University departments on 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 use Workday functionality and automation effectively.
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.