Accounts Payable Analyst

Description

The AP Analyst owns the analysis, controls, and continuous improvement of ICAT’s accounts payable function. The role exercises discretion and independent judgment on matters of significance to cash flow and works independently with general direction from the Manager. While the AP team handles routine invoice processing, the AP Analyst resolves complex discrepancies, decides how and when payments are made, negotiates with key vendors, analyzes AP data, and recommends and implements improvements to AP processes, controls, and systems.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Cash Management and Payment Decisions

• Determine payment priorities and timing to manage cash flow, deciding whether to pay, hold, or dispute invoices based on analysis of terms, vendor risk, and the company’s cash position
• Develop AP and cash flow forecasts and recommend payment strategies to Finance leadership
• Approve exceptions and adjustments within delegated authority, and escalate those outside it with a recommendation
• Maintain healthy cash flow and support the financial stability of the organization

Analysis and Reporting

• Analyze AP data to identify trends, discrepancies, and opportunities for process improvement, using analytical tools and techniques to turn insights into recommendations that drive informed decision making
• Perform AP aging analysis and vendor statement reconciliations, and determine root causes of complex discrepancies, including mismatches between invoices, purchase orders, and receiving slips (3-way matching)
• Prepare and present periodic AP financial and KPI reports to Finance leadership, with analysis and recommendations

Controls, Compliance, and Audit

• Evaluate AP internal controls, identify gaps, and recommend and implement control and policy improvements
• Ensure compliance with company policies, internal controls, and relevant accounting regulations
• Lead AP support for internal and external audits, providing documentation and responding to auditor inquiries

Process Improvement and Systems

• Identify inefficiencies in AP processes and design solutions that streamline workflows and improve accuracy
• Collaborate with IT and Finance to enhance AP systems, tools, and processes, and own requirements, testing, and troubleshooting for AP automation tools and system implementations
• Develop and maintain AP procedures, and serve as a resource for AP team members on complex issues without formal supervisory authority
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

Qualifications & Skill Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration required
• 2+ years of accounts payable and analytical experience, preferably in the logistics industry
• Experience negotiating payment terms and managing vendor relationships
• Working knowledge of AP internal controls, audit support, and relevant accounting regulations
• Hands-on experience with major ERP or accounting systems such as Microsoft Dynamics Business Central, CargoWise, and World Track
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (PivotTables, XLOOKUP, VLOOKUP, SUMIFS) for large data sets and reporting

Key Competencies

• Sound judgment and independent decision making on matters of significance to cash flow and vendor relationships
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Negotiation and influencing skills
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong communication skills, including presenting analysis and recommendations to leaders
• Ability to work independently in a shared-services or fast-paced corporate environment
• Ability to plan and effectively set priorities and meet deadlines
• Ability to relate to and successfully interact across a variety of settings and work well with a broad and diverse workforce throughout the organization
• Highly motivated team player with an outgoing and positive work attitude
• Consistent in follow-up and follow-through
• Credible with a high level of personal integrity
• Adaptive to ICAT’s core values

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Most work is performed indoors in an office setting
• Flexible approach to work, due to business needs and project support requirements
• Regularly use hands to type, handle, or feel
• Required to use close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception and can focus
• Must have clear, easy to understand oral communication ability
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods. May occasionally need to stoop, climb, or squat

Supervisory Responsibilities: No

Travel Requirement: No 

Salary Range: $64,057 - $75,361