Accounts Payable Accounting Specialist

General Description:

Metropolitan Family Service position descriptions are guidelines. They are not intended to identify every task that an employee will be asked to complete. They are intended as a general outline of the essential work responsibilities and qualifications of the position.  

Values:

• We use creative and proactive problem solving to build and sustain dynamic community-based programs and quality services.
• We believe in the potential of families and individuals at all life stages and focus on prevention, wellness, and independence.
• We build strong relationships by collaborating with our funders, partners, and highly trained volunteers, always striving for an extensive commitment to diversity.

General Function:   

Under the supervision of the Controller or CFO, the Accounts Payable Specialist is responsible to support the MFS Finance Department. Position will support accounts payable, billing support, general ledger support, and other duties as assigned.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Diversity

• Values working in a multi-cultural, diverse environment
• Values and supports inclusion and program access for clients
• Supports agency goals for enhancing diversity within department areas

Collaboration

• Ability to work effectively in collaboration within all departments of MFS as well as other agencies, and within MFS program areas
• Ability and commitment to work effectively within a team-dependent environment 
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with a broad range of individuals and groups

Teamwork

• Ability to work independently and to collaborate with other MFS staff and volunteers to model effective teamwork skills  

Finance Responsibilities

• Processing Invoices: Utilizing the Financial Edge accounting software package, handling all functions related to paying vendors, including receiving, obtaining approval, and coding of invoices
• Vendor Management: Establishing and maintaining strong relationships with vendors, resolving issues, and negotiating payment terms 
• Support the maintenance of accurate vendor records including retiring old vendors out of the system
• Maintain accurate and current list of A/P aging schedule
• Lead annual 1099 issuance process
• Manage petty cash review and reconciliation
• Ensuring compliance with tax regulations and internal controls to safeguard company assets 
• Help organization staff transition to a Purchase Order system
• Ensure payable transactions are correctly entered into the bank’s positive pay system
• Process Improvement: Identifying opportunities for process automation and efficiency improvements within the AP workflow
• Working with cross-functional teams, including Programs, HR, and IT, to ensure policy compliance and resolve issues
• Comply with Metropolitan Family Service policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Other duties may be assigned by the Controller

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:   

• Demonstrated experience with attention to detail
• Demonstrated experience with basic software skills
• Familiarity and high level of functionality with Google and Microsoft products, especially with Google sheets and Google drive, is essential
• Ability to meet weekly deadlines and manage variable workload
• Ability to document processes and identify appropriate internal control measure
• Sound technical accounting skills, analytical abilities, good judgement including ability to effectively use financial IT tools, systems and programs
• Ability to provide excellent support and responsiveness to both internal staff and external partners
• Well organized and self-directed
• Values working in a multi-cultural, diverse environment
• Ability to work within a team dependent environment
• Ability to proactively problem-solve 
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality
• Manual and physical dexterity allowing for performance of job functions, including computer use, phone use, copying, filing and using office equipment

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Prefer Bachelor degree in Finance, Accounting or related field or related, equivalent experience
• Minimum of five years of A/P experience
• Experience with bank credit card management systems
• Familiarity with Financial Edge accounting software especially the A/P and General Ledger modules is very beneficial

Other Requirements:

Personal transportation allows for travel within the Portland Metropolitan area in a timely manner.  If driving a personal vehicle must maintain a valid driver license for the state of residency, personal auto liability insurance coverage and a driving record permitting coverage under the agency auto liability policy.

MFS requires all employees and volunteers to complete a criminal background check.  We review the results of all background checks individually and consider all of the circumstances of any issues that arise in a background check during the hiring process.

Work Environment:

Position requires the following schedule each week to meet essential departmental needs:

Tuesday – 4 hours a day during the working hours of 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, working at the Civic office (with possible remote work opportunities)

Wednesday – 4 hours a day during the working hours of 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, working at the Civic office (with possible remote work opportunities)

Thursday – 8 hours a day during working between the hours of 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. This is a required in office (at the Civic office) working day.

Friday – 4 hours a day during the working hours of 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, working at the Civic office (with possible remote work opportunities)

Work is normally performed in an office environment and/or at other locations as deemed necessary.  May require occasional early morning, weekend or evening work.  Position requires ability to sit for extended periods as well as stand occasionally.  Position requires use of computer, telephone, copier and may require accessing locations by use of stairs.

Metropolitan Family Service is committed to building a diverse workforce to broaden and deepen our work in the communities we serve. We strongly urge candidates from communities of color, disability, LGBTQIA2S+ linguistically diverse populations, older adults and military veterans to consider application to our positions. MFS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.