Join our dynamic team as the Director of Accounts Payable! This pivotal role oversees and coordinates all aspects of disbursement management of our daily business operations within the accounts payable area. Responsibilities include directing, supervising, and coordinating the day-to-day functions of the Accounts Payable team, ensuring efficient resource utilization, accurate and timely reporting, and top-notch service delivery to internal and external customers, including vendors, students, and employees.

As a key player in the public higher education sector, the Director of Accounts Payable will direct disbursements within the public higher education governmental industry and its standards and will be involved in various financial analysis, reconciliations, and projects that support various accounting and other functions within the Accounts Payable area within Accounting and Payroll department, including disbursement functions and other projects as determined by the Controller. This position also monitors internal controls within the department; grows and maintains productive working relationships with customers, vendors, students, and employees as well as with other departments and their staff (e.g., Purchasing, Facilities, Student Navigation Center, other areas within Accounting and Payroll etc.).

Success in this role requires strong independent judgment, adaptability to changing responsibilities, and adept problem-solving skills. Excellent communication, interpersonal, team leadership, and supervisory skills are essential, as is a supportive, team-oriented management style.

1. Directs and supervises the day-to-day operations of disbursements related to accounts payable, including workflow, staff responsibilities, scheduling, issue resolution and proper filing of audit trail support within a unionized environment.
2. Oversees and ensures accounts payable disbursements including Massachusetts Management and Reporting System (MMARS) documents and wire transfers are properly scheduled, processed, and documented for all vendors, students and employee transactions.
3. Provides leadership and expertise on all People Soft Financials (PS) recordkeeping related to accounts payable and any general ledger accounts related with this activity. Utilizes Campus Financial Reporting System (CFRS) reports for analysis and reporting.
4. Maintains proficiency and utilizes all Commonwealth applications and utilities as they relate to disbursements and appropriations including but not limited to MMARS and other applications as developed and released by the Commonwealth.
5. Prepares financial analysis and reconciliations and engages in various projects that support accounting and other
   functions within the Accounting and Payroll department including, but is not limited to, an increasing growing proficiency of the university’s systems of record (e.g. General ledger, accounts payable) and other information systems, including MMARS, the Commonwealth Information Warehouse (CIW), and CFRS reports for analysis and reporting purposes.
6. Oversees as the lead for the Accounts Payable area the operation of PeopleSoft Financials, including data entry requirements, training, report generation, system interfaces/uploads, troubleshooting and system upgrades.
7. Serves as the MMARS Liaison with State Comptroller’s Office, their system of recordkeeping for appropriations and trainer for Salem State departmental personnel.
8. Serves as a functional expert with the university's bank
9. Responsible to oversee and support as needed selected payroll accounts (MMARS). This includes timely and accurate month-end closings and audit trail documentation along with account reconciliations. This is related to payables, cash held with state, state payroll and other appropriations and their reconciliations to the general ledger, chargebacks from the state
   and other liability accounts.
10. Responsible for all 1099 processing on an annual basis, due diligence, monitoring and filing of abandoned property as well as periodic filing with the State and for processing all federal loan uncashed check refunds and reconciliations. Also including performance taxes are submitted to the state, as required. 
11. Establishes and directs a yearly, monthly, and weekly calendar of deadlines in Accounts Payable.
12. Resolves problems and issues presented by other university community personnel or external parties and vendors.
13. Assures and directs staff adherence to university as well as department policies and procedures.
14. Assists in the evaluation, development and documentation of applicable fiscal policy and procedures.
15. Supports and prepares information for the yearend audit and other related duties.
16. Oversees, monitors, and updates policies and procedures for the MMARS and PeopleSoft (Accounts Payable) systems.
17. Responsible for the analysis, documentation, implementation, and assessment of internal financial controls. This includes the removal of any deficiencies within the functional areas under the span of their control.
18. Serves as resource for critical, complex, and high-level projects. Works directly with Controller on numerous projects.
19. Performs and supports accounting and disbursement activities and other related duties as required or deemed appropriate to accomplish the finance and business responsibilities for the university, including but not limited to monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting.

Required Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting and/or finance or equivalent combination of education and work experience
2. Minimum of seven to ten years of full-time professional progressive experience in disbursement management and accounts payable with demonstrated technical competence
3. Minimum of five or more years of supervisory experience. Proven ability to direct, supervise, including planning and assigning work according to the nature of the job to be accomplished, the capabilities of subordinates and available resources
4. Experience and proficiency of best practices in applying accounting principles as they relate to accounts payable and disbursements within a general accounting ledger and sub-ledger system

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Strong preference for experience within a complex and large public higher education or non-profit organization and/or governmental fund accounting environment
2. Ability to independently and accurately query and extract data from relational databases for multiple business purposes and convert to functional report formats and explain conclusions reached
3. Knowledge and understanding of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts reporting system (MMARS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts State appropriations strongly preferred
4. Advanced Proficiency using Microsoft Office suite such as Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access
5. Knowledge and proficiency of Accounts Payable/PeopleSoft and/or Oracle
6. Advanced experience with large volume computer-based vendor payments

Working Conditions:

This is a hybrid position with weekly on-campus, in-person responsibilities in Salem, MA.

Office activities are performed in an environmentally controlled office setting subject to extended periods of sitting, keyboarding and interaction with computer equipment; occasional bending, reaching, lifting, pushing and pulling up to 5-10 pounds.

Salem State University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. For accommodation information or requests please email eo-hr@salemstate.edu.

Application Instructions:

Please apply online and attach resume and cover letter.

Employment is contingent upon a completed background and CORI check satisfactory to the university. 

This position is not eligible for H1B visa sponsorship.

EEO Statement:
Salem State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Persons of color, women and persons with disabilities are strongly urged to apply.

Please Note: If there is no application deadline associated with a position, it may be removed at any time and additional applications will not be accepted.