Job Description
The Associate Accountant AP (North America) is responsible for the timely and accurate processing of supplier invoices, employee expenses, and payment runs for the North America region. This role ensures adherence to accounting principles, internal controls, and company policies while supporting period-end closing activities and resolving vendor queries.
Responsibilities
Invoice Processing
- Review, validate, and process vendor invoices in accordance with company policies and regional tax requirements.
- Manage AP Inbox, sorting of emails and moving the same to the relevant folders.
- Ensure 2-way/3-way matching for PO-based invoices.
- Investigate and resolve invoice discrepancies (pricing, quantity, tax, missing PO, etc.).
- Process non-PO invoices with proper approvals and documentation.
- Timely and accurate accounting of Direct Debit / Auto Debit transactions
Payment Processing
- Prepare weekly and monthly payment runs (ACH, wire transfers, checks) for the North America region.
- Monitor due dates to ensure timely payments and avoid late fees.
- Support bank reconciliation activities related to AP.
Vendor Management
- Address vendor inquiries and resolve issues on time.
- Maintain vendor master data, ensuring accuracy and compliance (W9 forms, tax IDs, banking details).
- Support vendor onboarding, compliance checks, and documentation reviews.
Compliance & Controls
- Maintain proper documentation and audit trails for all AP transactions.
- Support internal and external audits by providing required information and reconciliations.
Month-End Closing
- Prepare AP-related journal entries and accruals (GR/IR, unbilled invoices, expense accruals).
- Assist in AP aging analysis and reporting.
- Ensure AP ledger integrity and timely month-end close.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with procurement, operations, FP&A, and regional finance teams.
- Assist stakeholders in resolving invoice hold-ups and process improvements.
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor's / master's degree in accounting, Finance, or related field.
Experience
- 35 years of hands-on experience in Accounts Payable, ideally supporting the North America region.
- Experience with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Sage Intacct etc).
Skills
- Strong knowledge of AP processes and accounting principles (GAAP preferred).
- Familiarity with North America tax concepts (sales tax, use tax, 1099 forms).
- Advanced Excel skills (VLOOKUP, pivot tables).
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- High attention to detail, accuracy, and ability to meet deadlines.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in a shared services or multinational environment.
Knowledge of automated AP tools (OCR, workflow systems).
