Temporary Senior Accounts Payable Specialist

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, which manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Temporary Senior Accounts Payable Specialist based in the United States.
This is an opportunity for an experienced accounts payable professional to take ownership of critical financial operations during a temporary three-month assignment, with the possibility of extension. Working closely with the AP Director, you will oversee day-to-day invoice processing, payment preparation, vendor coordination, and reporting activities. You will play a hands-on role in ensuring transactions are accurate, compliant, and completed on schedule. The position calls for strong analytical skills, independent judgment, and the ability to resolve complex exceptions while anticipating potential issues. You will also contribute to month-end close activities and identify practical ways to improve workflows and financial processes. Candidates based in the New York and New Jersey tri-state area are preferred.

Accountabilities

Independently manage daily accounts payable operations, including invoice intake, coding, approval follow-ups, exception resolution, and payment preparation.

Monitor outstanding work, anticipate deadlines, identify bottlenecks, and proactively address issues that could delay processing.

Process and review invoices and Concur expense reports, ensuring accuracy, appropriate coding, complete documentation, required approvals, and compliance with internal policies.

Investigate complex or recurring invoice discrepancies, duplicate payments, vendor disputes, and missing information; identify root causes and recommend effective solutions.

Review accounts payable aging reports and outstanding items, investigate unusual or overdue balances, and support reconciliations, accruals, and timely month-end close activities.

Prepare and initiate domestic and international wire and ACH payment runs in accordance with approval workflows, segregation-of-duties requirements, and security procedures.

Identify unusual, urgent, or potentially risky payment requests and escalate them appropriately.

Coordinate vendor onboarding, maintain accurate vendor master records, collect and review W-9 and W-8 documentation, and respond to vendor inquiries.

Support annual 1099 reporting and other vendor compliance requirements.

Act as a dependable point of contact for employees, vendors, and Finance colleagues, resolving routine issues independently while keeping the AP Director informed of significant risks and trends.

Use ERP reporting tools and Excel to identify errors, analyze recurring issues, and recommend improvements through system functionality, automation, and approved AI tools where appropriate.

Requirements:

5–7 or more years of progressive accounts payable or related accounting experience, including substantial independent responsibility for managing AP workflows.

Strong understanding of general ledger coding, accruals, account reconciliations, internal controls, and the impact of accounts payable activities on financial reporting and cash requirements.

Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify patterns, investigate exceptions, and resolve unfamiliar issues independently.

Advanced Excel proficiency, including pivot tables, lookup functions, and analysis of large transaction datasets.

Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office and hands-on experience with ERP and expense management systems.

Experience with Concur is desirable; familiarity with Carta AP is an additional advantage.

Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize competing deadlines and maintain accuracy in a fast-paced environment.

Strong written and verbal communication skills for effective collaboration with vendors, employees, and Finance stakeholders.

High attention to detail, initiative, and sound professional judgment, including the ability to determine when to resolve issues independently and when to escalate financial, compliance, or control risks.

Ability to work autonomously and remain comfortable performing hands-on transactional tasks as business needs require.

Benefits:

Hourly compensation: $40–$43 USD per hour.

Assignment duration: Initial three-month temporary contract, with potential for extension.

Work arrangement: The position is advertised as remote, subject to the role's location and business requirements.

Eligible work locations: Applicants must reside in one of the following states or jurisdictions: California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, or Washington.

Location preference: Candidates based in the New York/New Jersey tri-state area will receive preference.

Healthcare coverage, paid time off, retirement benefits, and other additional perks are not specified in the available posting.