Accounts Payable & Operations Manager

Brown Investment Advisory & Trust•Baltimore, MD

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Brown Advisory is seeking a professional, energetic, and detail-oriented Accounts Payable & Operations Manager for its Baltimore office. The role oversees the firm’s payment processes, including vendor and colleague payments, and advances strong financial controls, operational excellence, and process improvement across the finance function. The position includes oversight of accounts payable, review of monthly journal entries and account reconciliations, variance analysis, and ad hoc reporting and business insights for senior leadership. As a leader within the Controller’s organization, the manager develops and mentors team members, strengthens internal controls, improves operational efficiency, and supports finance transformation initiatives. The role manages a two-person Accounts Payable team and offers opportunities for professional growth and advancement within the accounting function. The successful candidate is thorough, proactive, collaborative, discreet, service-oriented, and a strong problem-solver. They use data and available tools—including automation and AI-enabled system features, subject to firm policies and privacy and regulatory requirements—to improve accuracy, efficiency, controls, and decision-making. They communicate clearly, manage multiple priorities, work independently while seeking guidance when appropriate, and build effective relationships across a collaborative, global environment. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer-sponsored work authorization. The anticipated Maryland base salary is $90,000–$125,000 annually, based on experience, qualifications, skills, location, and other job-related factors. The position is also eligible for a discretionary performance bonus and additional discretionary long-term incentive compensation.

Requirements

Associate degree or bachelor of science degree in Accounting or Business.
Experience with Workday.
Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office products.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong accounting acumen and attention to detail.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Strong organizational skills and a results-oriented, execution-focused approach.
Ability to take responsibility for delivering quality work in a timely manner, individually and as part of a team.
Ability to build, foster, and maintain positive professional relationships.
Ability to work independently, follow tasks through to completion, and seek guidance and feedback as appropriate.
Professional discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information.
Authorization to work in the United States without current or future employer-sponsored work authorization.

Responsibilities

Build a highly engaged, high-performing Accounts Payable team of two through coaching, development, accountability, and continuous feedback.
Manage full-cycle accounts payable, including invoice coding, accounts payable reconciliations, settlement runs, year-end regulatory reporting, and research into vendor invoice discrepancies.
Oversee vendor master data governance, maintenance, and compliance documentation, and develop strong relationships with key service providers.
Own and enhance accounts payable internal controls, including vendor onboarding, payment authorization, segregation of duties, treasury application, and fraud-prevention procedures.
Identify and lead improvements across the procure-to-pay lifecycle in partnership with accounting, finance, treasury, legal, and business stakeholders.
Plan and execute the month-end close schedule, including timeline development, sub-ledger cutoff, accrual preparation and review, and department communications.
Support year-end audits and regulatory examinations by preparing schedules and documentation and responding to requests; improve audit readiness through better data organization and controls.
Develop and monitor accounts payable performance metrics, including payment timeliness, reimbursement cycle times, exception rates, aging analysis, and process-efficiency measures.
Lead the accounts payable technology roadmap and automation strategy.
Serve as a subject matter expert for Workday AP workflows, including testing, enhancements, controls, and user adoption.
Participate in ad hoc projects, process-improvement initiatives, and system enhancements that advance the firm’s finance and accounting capabilities.
Manage Brown Advisory’s expense reimbursement program.
Partner with business leaders to improve spending visibility, streamline workflows, and provide decision-supporting insights.
Consider the impact of accounts payable issues on the General Ledger.
Ensure transactions are recorded in accordance with GAAP and firm accounting policies.
Use available automation and AI-enabled features to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and controls while complying with firm policies, data privacy standards, and regulatory requirements.
Provide support and coaching to team members and deliver high levels of service to colleagues inside and outside the accounting team.