Accounts Payable Senior Specialist

JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY

The Senior Specialist Finance (Accounts Payable) is a subject matter expert responsible for managing complex accounts payable activities, financial reconciliations, and compliance requirements while ensuring the accuracy, efficiency, and integrity of financial transactions. The role plays a critical function in supporting working capital optimization, financial reporting accuracy, and internal control effectiveness across the Accounts Payable function.

As a senior individual contributor, this role provides technical leadership in accounts payable processes, treasury coordination, financial risk mitigation, and system optimization initiatives without direct people management responsibility. The Senior Specialist supports the Finance Manager to enhance operational efficiency, strengthen internal controls, and drive continuous improvement initiatives aligned with organizational financial strategies.

Additionally, the role acts as a technical advisor and mentor to junior finance team members, providing guidance, knowledge transfer, and coaching to strengthen team capability and ensure adherence to financial policies, Delegation of Authority (DOA), regulatory requirements, and audit standards.

This position requires strong analytical capability, deep financial expertise, attention to detail, and the ability to independently manage high-value and complex financial activities while contributing to strategic financial objectives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Accounts Payable Operations & Financial Transactions (30% of time)

• Manage complex and high-value accounts payable transactions, ensuring accurate invoice verification, approvals, and timely payment processing in compliance with company policies and procedures.
• Perform detailed reconciliations of supplier accounts, resolving discrepancies, disputes, and outstanding balances through root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Review and validate financial postings, ensuring accuracy of ledger entries, liability recognition, and supporting documentation.
• Support month-end and year-end closing activities related to accounts payable, accruals, and financial reporting requirements.
• Provide expert guidance on financial treatment of transactions, contracts, and vendor arrangements to ensure compliance and financial accuracy.
• Analyze payment trends, liabilities, and vendor performance data to support decision-making and financial planning.

2. Working Capital & Treasury Coordination (15% of time)

• Support cash flow forecasting and liquidity planning by providing accurate payable projections and payment schedules.
• Coordinate with treasury and finance teams to optimize payment timing, vendor terms, and working capital efficiency.
• Assist in evaluating financial instruments and payment strategies to support short-term funding requirements and cash management optimization.
• Monitor financial exposures related to foreign currency transactions and payment obligations, ensuring alignment with financial risk management practices.

3. Compliance & Regulatory Oversight (15% of time)

• Ensure compliance with Delegation of Authority (DOA), financial regulations, tax requirements, and internal policies across all accounts payable activities.
• Review financial transactions to identify potential compliance risks or control gaps, recommending corrective measures where necessary.
• Act as a subject matter expert during regulatory reviews, audits, and financial assessments, providing technical explanations and documentation support.
• Promote adherence to financial governance standards and ethical practices within the finance team.

4. Audit Preparedness & Internal Controls (15% of time)

• Maintain complete and audit-ready documentation for financial transactions, reconciliations, and approvals.
• Support internal and external audits by preparing schedules, responding to queries, and ensuring timely resolution of audit observations.
• Evaluate existing controls within accounts payable processes and recommend enhancements to mitigate risks and improve financial accuracy.
• Participate in internal control reviews, compliance testing, and risk assessments to strengthen financial governance frameworks.

5. Process Improvement & Automation (15% of time)

• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and cost effectiveness within accounts payable workflows.
• Support implementation and optimization of ERP systems, automation tools, and digital solutions related to invoice processing and payments.
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as invoice cycle time, reconciliation accuracy, and exception rates to drive performance improvement.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives aligned with finance transformation objectives.

6. Technical Advisory, Coaching & Special Projects (10% of time)

• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to Specialist, Senior Officer, and Officer roles within the finance team to enhance capability and knowledge sharing.
• Support the Finance Manager in financial projects, system enhancements, and process transformation initiatives.
• Participate in cross-functional initiatives requiring financial expertise, analysis, or process design input.
• Prepare financial analyses, reports, and recommendations to support strategic decision-making and operational improvements.

9. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES

Minimum Qualifications:

(Education/Certification/Licensure/Professional Membership)

• Bachelor's degree in Accountancy, Finance, Commerce, or a related field.
• Professional certification such as CMA, CA, ACCA, or CPA is mandatory.
• Master's degree (MBA/Finance) or additional certifications in treasury, financial risk management, or ERP systems are advantageous.

Minimum Experience:

• At least 7 years of experience in accounts payable, finance operations, or financial management roles.
• Proven experience handling complex financial transactions, reconciliations, and compliance requirements.
• Experience in ERP systems and financial automation initiatives is preferred.
• Experience in a multinational or regulated industry environment is advantageous.
• Preferably with experience in team leadership, coaching, mentoring, or project management.

Job Specific Competencies:

1. Financial Management
2. Strong understanding of accounts payable processes, financial controls, cost management, and financial reporting to ensure accurate and efficient financial operations aligned with organizational objectives.
3. Technical Expertise in Accounts Payable & Liability Management
4. Advanced knowledge and ownership of accounts payable operations, vendor payments, reconciliations, accruals, and financial liabilities, ensuring compliance with financial policies and regulatory requirements.
5. Communication & Stakeholder Management
6. Ability to effectively coordinate with internal departments, vendors, finance, treasury, procurement, auditors, and management to ensure seamless financial operations and issue resolution.
7. Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills
8. Capability to analyze financial data, identify discrepancies, investigate root causes, and implement corrective actions or improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and financial accuracy.
9. Attention to Detail & Quality Orientation
10. Ensures accuracy and completeness in invoice processing, reconciliations, reporting, and financial documentation while maintaining compliance with policies and audit requirements.
11. ERP & Financial Systems Proficiency
12. Proficiency in SAP, Oracle, or similar ERP systems, including automation tools and reporting platforms, to ensure accurate transaction processing, data integrity, and system optimization.
13. Internal Controls, Compliance & Audit Management
14. Strong knowledge of internal controls, Delegation of Authority (DOA), regulatory requirements, and audit standards, ensuring financial integrity, fraud prevention, and audit readiness.
15. Working Capital & Treasury Awareness
16. Understanding of cash flow management, payment strategies, liquidity planning, and financial risk considerations to support effective working capital optimization.
17. Process Improvement & Continuous Enhancement
18. Ability to identify inefficiencies, recommend improvements, and support automation or transformation initiatives to improve operational efficiency, cost effectiveness, and financial performance.
19. Coaching, Knowledge Sharing & Technical Leadership
20. Ability to provide guidance, mentoring, and technical support to junior finance team members, fostering capability development, knowledge transfer, and adherence to financial best practices without direct supervisory responsibility.