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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Accounts Payable Manager

💰 $80,000 - $115,000

AccountingFinanceAccounts PayableVendor ManagementLeadership

🎯 Role Definition

An Accounts Payable Manager oversees the daily operations of the accounts payable department, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant disbursement of company funds. This role leads a team responsible for invoice processing, vendor management, and expense control, while maintaining financial integrity and supporting business efficiency. The AP Manager collaborates with finance, procurement, and operations teams to optimize processes, enhance cash flow management, and uphold accounting best practices aligned with GAAP and corporate policies.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Accounts Payable Specialist
  • Accounts Payable Supervisor
  • Accounting Analyst

Advancement To:

  • Senior Accounting Manager
  • Controller
  • Director of Accounting / Finance

Lateral Moves:

  • Accounts Receivable Manager
  • Procurement Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  1. Oversee the daily operations of the accounts payable department, ensuring efficient and accurate processing of invoices, expense reports, and vendor payments.
  2. Manage, mentor, and train AP staff, establishing clear performance goals and professional development plans.
  3. Develop, implement, and maintain accounts payable policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure compliance with corporate standards and GAAP.
  4. Supervise invoice validation, three-way matching (PO, receipt, invoice), and approval workflows.
  5. Review and approve payment runs including checks, ACH, and wire transfers while ensuring compliance with payment terms.
  6. Manage vendor relationships by addressing inquiries, resolving disputes, and fostering long-term partnerships.
  7. Oversee vendor setup, maintenance, and data integrity in ERP or accounting systems.
  8. Prepare and analyze AP aging, accruals, and other financial reports for management review.
  9. Collaborate with procurement and finance teams to optimize the procure-to-pay (P2P) process.
  10. Ensure compliance with tax laws, including 1099 and other regulatory filings.
  11. Support month-end and year-end closing activities by reconciling AP accounts and preparing necessary journal entries.
  12. Coordinate and respond to internal and external audits by providing documentation and explanations as required.
  13. Lead initiatives to automate and streamline accounts payable processes to improve efficiency and accuracy.
  14. Maintain and enforce approval hierarchies, delegation of authority, and spend controls.
  15. Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for accounts payable operations and implement corrective actions as needed.
  16. Assist in cash flow forecasting by providing accurate and timely information on payment obligations.
  17. Manage employee expense reimbursement programs in compliance with company policies.
  18. Ensure SOX compliance and maintain appropriate documentation for audit readiness.
  19. Partner with Treasury and Accounting departments to align disbursement schedules with cash management strategies.
  20. Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and lead cross-functional initiatives to modernize AP systems and workflows.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc financial analyses, reporting requests, and operational data reviews.
  • Contribute to ERP system upgrades, testing, and automation initiatives.
  • Collaborate with IT, Procurement, and Finance teams on digital transformation projects.
  • Participate in strategic planning sessions related to accounts payable and financial operations.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Advanced proficiency with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Workday, or similar)
  • Deep understanding of GAAP and accounting principles related to accounts payable
  • Expertise in procure-to-pay (P2P) workflows and vendor management processes
  • Strong Excel and data analytics skills (pivot tables, formulas, reporting dashboards)
  • Knowledge of tax compliance, 1099 reporting, and audit requirements
  • Familiarity with expense management tools (Concur, Expensify, etc.)
  • Ability to manage cash flow forecasting and payment scheduling
  • Competence in internal controls and SOX compliance
  • Experience with process automation and financial system integrations
  • Strong financial reporting and reconciliation skills

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional leadership and team management abilities
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Strategic thinking with strong operational execution focus
  • Analytical mindset and problem-solving proficiency
  • Strong organizational and time management capabilities
  • High attention to detail and accuracy in financial data handling
  • Ability to build and maintain strong cross-functional relationships
  • Adaptability to changing business environments and systems
  • Customer service orientation with professionalism in vendor interactions
  • Integrity, accountability, and commitment to process excellence

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration

Preferred Education:
Master’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or MBA

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Accounting
  • Finance
  • Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:
5–8 years of progressive experience in accounts payable, finance, or accounting

Preferred:
7+ years of experience in AP operations, including at least 3 years in a supervisory or managerial capacity; experience in a mid-to-large corporate environment with ERP systems and demonstrated success in process optimization and team leadership.

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