Accounts Payable Team Lead

Hills Bank • Hills, IA

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Accounts Payable Team Lead is responsible for overseeing all day-to-day accounts payable operations, leading and developing the AP team, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, maintaining strong internal controls, and serving as the primary point of contact for AP-related inquiries. This role emphasizes operational excellence, problem resolution, vendor management, and continuous process improvement while ensuring timely and accurate disbursement of payments.

Requirements

• Minimum of a two-year degree in accounting, finance, or a related field (four-year degree preferred).
• Four years of bank or similar regulated financial accounting experience.
• Progressive experience in accounts payable, including leadership or senior-level responsibilities
• Strong understanding of Iowa sales and consumer use tax guidelines.
• Strong understanding of IRS 1099 reporting requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret policies, maintain confidentiality, and exercise sound judgment.
• Work schedule flexibility required during month-end processing, year-end (December–February), and other critical reporting periods; occasional Saturdays and holidays may be required.

Nice To Haves

• Accounts payable system experience with Flexi is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Accounts Payable Operations & Leadership Assist with departmental leadership to ensure invoices and payments are processed timely, accurately, and in compliance with internal policies.
• Equalize work distribution, monitor daily output, and review check, ACH, and batch processing to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Review and approve accounts payable batches, ensuring appropriate approvals, documentation, and adherence to internal controls.
• Identify training needs and provide ongoing coaching related to systems, procedures, and best practices.
• Serve as the primary owner of the AP inbox, prioritizing requests, recognizing urgent issues, and ensuring timely and effective resolution of all correspondence.
• Vendor Management & Problem Resolution Act as the primary liaison with vendors and internal departments to resolve discrepancies, disputes, lost checks, payment inquiries, and system-related issues.
• Perform vendor setup, vetting, maintenance, and approval in accordance with Bank policies, including W-9 validation and tax compliance.
• Demonstrate strong problem-solving and conflict resolution skills when working with vendors and bank employees.
• Maintain familiarity with indemnities and related procedures, ensuring proper handling and documentation.
• Internal Controls, Compliance & Risk Management Maintain strict internal controls to prevent fraud, duplicate payments, and errors.
• Ensure compliance with IRS 1099 reporting requirements, Iowa sales and consumer use tax regulations, escheatment laws, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Oversee year end 1099 preparation, validation, reporting, and vendor corrections.
• Manage escheatment processes, including outstanding check cleanup and required reporting.
• Financial Accounting Support Review accounts payable transactions with a high degree of skepticism to ensure proper general ledger coding and alignment with accounting policies.
• Assist with the review and reconciliation of select general ledger accounts, prepare adjusting entries as needed, and provide supporting documentation.
• Assist with accounts payable and purchasing system administration, including testing, upgrades, and new implementations.
• Assist with year-end accounting processes, including compiling support for accrual entries.
• Provide financial accounting support and research as the primary AP subject matter resource for the Bank.
• Process Improvement & Technology Identify, recommend, and implement process improvements, automation opportunities, and efficiencies within the accounts payable function.
• Track AP batches, monitor workflow status, and respond to questions related to Visa and card-related notifications.
• Service & Outcomes Ensure the department meets all financial deadlines, adheres to internal controls, and provides high-quality service to both internal and external customers.
• Perform backup duties within the department as needed to ensure continuity during vacations, leaves, or peak periods.
• Other Duties: Assist the Controller with other projects as required.
• Maintain professional knowledge through job-related education, seminars, workshops, and conferences.
• Participate in bank and community events as appropriate.

Benefits

• Our employees are our most valuable assets, so we invest in them with a comprehensive and competitive benefits package.
• Our philosophy of taking care of the customer extends to taking care of our employees so that they, in turn, can take good care of themselves and their families.
• Join Hills Bank and let us surprise you with even more perks!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees