Accounting Consultant

Aston Carter•Austin, TX

8d•$30 - $45•Hybrid

About The Position

This consulting role focuses on overseeing and optimizing accounts receivable (AR) and accounts payable (AP) processes in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. The analyst will act as a key liaison between onshore operations and offshore AR/AP teams, troubleshoot financial and process issues, and drive improvements that align with manufacturing and procure-to-pay workflows. The position emphasizes high-level process management rather than transactional processing, with a strong focus on root cause analysis, cross-functional collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

At least 5+ years of experience in accounts payable and accounts receivable, specifically within a manufacturing company or a similar environment.
Strong understanding of the procure-to-pay process, including vendor returns and related workflows.
Solid general accounts receivable knowledge and familiarity with GL and financial accounting operations.
Demonstrated ability to identify issues in AP/AR processes and implement effective process improvements, with a proven track record supported by references.
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and strong overall Microsoft Office skills.
Experience working with ERP systems; familiarity with Oracle ERP is highly beneficial, though not strictly required.
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and with offshore teams.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks, priorities, and stakeholders simultaneously.
Results-driven, proactive approach with strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Demonstrated ambition and a desire to grow and advance professionally, including taking on additional responsibilities and actively pursuing learning and development opportunities.
Experience in accounts payable leadership or AP specialist roles, particularly in solving complex AP problems.
Experience collaborating with offshore teams in functions such as AP, AR, tax, and general ledger.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Oracle ERP systems.
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field (preferred but not required).
Management or leadership experience, including running and facilitating meetings and touchpoints with cross-functional teams.
Experience in office management, administration, or roles that required wearing multiple hats, such as executive assistant positions.
Hands-on experience with invoice processing, purchase orders, reconciliations, general ledger entries, journal entries, and cash application.
Experience in a manufacturing industry environment and familiarity with its operational and accounting nuances.
Demonstrated ability to work in a structured yet evolving environment, contributing to continuous improvement initiatives.
Comfort working as an intermediary between onshore stakeholders and offshore accounting teams, including managing communication queues.

Responsibilities

Oversee the end-to-end AP process at a high level, ensuring that offshore processing aligns with company policies and operational needs.
Investigate and resolve invoice discrepancies by working closely with suppliers, receiving, purchasing, and other internal departments.
Communicate with vendors to clarify invoice issues and ensure AP practices comply with internal financial policies and procedures.
Serve as a liaison between buyers and the offshore AP team, helping buyers update and correct information in the AP queue to prevent errors and delays.
Monitor and manage communication queues used by the offshore team, ensuring timely responses and resolution of AP-related inquiries.
Collaborate with procurement and receiving teams to ensure accurate purchase orders, receipts, and vendor returns, reducing AP exceptions and rework.
Support accounts receivable activities by partnering with customer service, shared services, and production control to process pending aged credit memos.
Investigate and identify root causes of errors on invoices and credit memos, and propose and implement practical corrective actions.
Work closely with the offshore AR team to resolve AR issues and streamline processes, ensuring accurate and timely billing and cash application.
Proactively identify and resolve AR/AP issues related to ERP system discrepancies, inventory-related accounting mismatches, and internal control weaknesses.
Analyze recurring AP and AR problems, develop root cause solutions, and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency and reduce errors.
Lead cross-functional initiatives with operations, procurement, and finance to improve AP/AR accuracy, workflow, and information flow.
Support internal and external audits by ensuring that documentation related to AP, AR, and related accounting processes is complete, accurate, and well-organized.
Collaborate closely with internal departments, suppliers, customers, and offshore accounting teams to align financial practices and resolve issues promptly.
Facilitate and run meetings or touchpoints with various team members and teams to review issues, track progress, and drive accountability in AP/AR processes.
Assist with broader accounting resolutions and functions such as general ledger activities and reporting, depending on experience and capabilities.
Utilize Microsoft Excel and ERP tools to perform reconciliations, analyze data, and support decision-making in AP/AR and related accounting functions.
Demonstrate leadership by guiding stakeholders through process changes, encouraging best practices, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.