Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine is seeking a detail-oriented and organized Accounts Payable Specialist to join our accounting team. In this role, you will manage day-to-day accounts payable operations, process vendor invoices and employee expense reports, and ensure compliance with internal financial policies and procedures. The ideal candidate excels at cross-functional communication, problem-solving invoice discrepancies, and maintaining accuracy within our ERP system.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Accounts Payable & Vendor Management
- Invoice & Payment Processing: Review purchase orders, invoices, and supporting documentation to ensure compliance; enter approved vendor invoices into the accounting ERP system.Discrepancy Resolution & Vendor Communication: Contact vendors for missing bills, resolve invoice discrepancies, and assist with the electronic delivery of vendor statements.Expense & Travel Management: Review and process employee expense reports and travel requests, ensuring adherence to policy guidelines, budget limits, and proper documentation standards.
- Purchase Order & Budget Support: Verify account numbers on purchase orders, assist with annual recurring PO renewals, analyze usage costs, and report significant budget variances.
- Internal Customer Support: Provide guidance and support to internal staff regarding purchasing, invoicing, and expense policies.
- Inventory & Asset Support: Conduct physical inventories of fixed assets and storeroom items as needed.
General Expectations & Professional Development
- Special Projects & Continuous Improvement: Complete ad-hoc financial reports.
- Serve as operational back-up for receiving at the Oakland location.
- Continuous Learning: Stay informed on new technologies, software updates, and organizational policy or procedure revisions.
- Ability to work on weekends and evenings to complete time sensitive projects.
- Acquires knowledge for new technology and policy/procedure revisions.
- All other duties as assigned.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
- Associate’s degree or equivalent in accounting plus minimum two years accounting/bookkeeping experience in general office environment.
- Advanced knowledge of personal computing systems and basic to advanced knowledge of accounting software packages including Excel or other spreadsheet programs also required.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS:
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Ability to operate automated standard office equipment such as multi-line phone system, calculator, copier, fax machine, shredder, etc.
- Ability to type at least 50 wpm.
- Ability to use a numeric keypad with a speed of at least 12000 keystrokes per hour.
- Ability to effectively communicate with others verbally and in writing.
- Ability to meet assigned deadlines.
- Ability to interpret, comprehend, and transmit complicated and detailed instructions accurately.
- Ability to accept and apply feedback.
- Regular and predictable attendance is expected.
- Demonstrates the ability to recognize priorities in organization of work flow.
- Able to perform duties independently, with a minimal need for direct supervision.
