Accounts Payable Accountant

Job Description

Role summary:

Process and manage accounts payable transactions across multiple countries; prepare and support payment proposals; post and reconcile vendor invoices in SAP ERP 6.0; operate payment execution tools (Alusta or equivalent). Ensure accuracy, compliance with company policies and timely payment to vendors; perform AP reconciliations to the GL, record accruals for pending invoices and manage vendor communications. Support timely month end close and meet reporting deadlines.

General responsibilities and activities include, but is not limited to:  

1.     Ensure accuracy and completeness of AP transactions (invoice processing, GR/IR clearing, credit notes) in SAP ERP 6.0.

2.     Prepare and support payment proposals and coordinate payment execution with treasury/banks; meet payment cutoffs and month end deadlines.

3.     Maintain vendor account reconciliations, resolve vendor queries, and support month end AP reporting and close activities to meet reporting deadlines.

Key responsibilities and activities include, but is not limited to:  

1.     Receive, validate and post vendor invoices and credit notes in SAP ERP 6.0 according to invoice tolerances and approval workflows.

2.     Prepare, review and submit payment proposals (local and regional); ensure timely cutoffs and accurate bank/payment file generation.

3.     Match and clear GR/IR items, PO invoices and non PO invoices; process manual payments and vendor advances as required.

4.     Reconcile vendor statements, investigate discrepancies and drive timely resolution with vendors and internal stakeholders; handle day to day vendor communications.

5.     Perform AP reconciliation to the General Ledger (GL) and resolve variances in coordination with Finance/GL owners.

6.     Record and manage accruals for pending invoices and ensure accurate month end cutoffs and reporting.

7.     Perform periodic sampling tests for self audit and support internal/external audit requests.

8.     Perform periodic vendor master data checks and raise change requests per governance (coordinate with Master Data team as needed).

9.     Support EBT/end to end testing and system changes that affect AP processes; validate results and assist in cutovers.

10.  Generate regular and ad hoc AP reports and analysis to support decision making and audit requests; ensure reports are delivered on schedule.

11.  Author and maintain AP process documentation, work instructions and quick reference guides; provide user support and training to internal stakeholders.

12.  Participate in process improvement initiatives and automation efforts to improve efficiency and reduce errors.

Personal qualities:  

1.     Strong attention to detail with a methodical approach to transaction validation and problem solving.

2.     Responsive to business stakeholders and able to explain AP concepts clearly, while persistent in ensuring compliance with company standard procedures.

3.     Committed to meeting deadlines and willing to go the extra mile to support payment runs, month end close and urgent stakeholder needs.

4.     Collaborative team player who can work with cross functional and cross cultural stakeholders.

Required Skills & Experience  

Skills & Experience – Essential 

• Minimum 3 years’ AP experience in an ERP environment; hands on experience with SAP ERP 6.0 is required.
• Experience preparing payment proposals and operating Alusta (or equivalent) payment/treasury platform.
• Adequate Excel skill (formulas, pivot tables, lookup functions); comfortable with basic data manipulation and reconciliation.
• Solid understanding of AP processes: invoice posting, GR/IR, payment runs, vendor reconciliations, accruals and withholding/tax handling.
• Adequate written and verbal communication skills in English (required); proficiency in Chinese, Japanese, Thai or Vietnamese is an advantage.
• Experience supporting multi country AP operations or working with regional stakeholders.
• Diploma in Accounting, Finance, Business or related discipline (minimum requirement).

Skills & Experience - Desirable 

• Experience with AP automation tools, electronic invoicing platforms or RPA.
• Familiarity with reporting/BI tools (Power BI, Tableau) or basic SQL for analysis.
• Prior experience in manufacturing, distribution or multi entity corporate environments.
• Additional language skills relevant to supported countries.