Senior Accounts Payable Analyst

AURA's mission is to provide innovative, open resources to enable discovery and excellence in research, to unify the astrophysics communities, and to promote public understanding of our universe and the benefits of science exploration. AURA carries out its role through its astronomical facilities.

AURA is hiring for a Senior Accounts Payable Analyst to be a key member of the Finance team, responsible not only for accurate and timely processing of vendor payments and travel reimbursements, but also for performing critical financial analysis to support compliance and operational decision-making. This role involves analyzing transactional data, identifying discrepancies, and ensuring alignment with federal regulations and internal policies. The ideal candidate brings strong attention to detail, a problem-solving mindset, and proficiency in accounting systems and Excel-based reporting. This position plays a vital role in maintaining financial integrity and supporting efficient workflows across the organization.

Essential Functions:

• Process AP transactions, ensuring invoices and travel reimbursements are processed timely to meet critical weekly and month-end deadlines.
• Works with Procurement and Internal managers to verify approval of invoices to ensure timely payment of vendor invoices.
• Review approved travel requisitions for completeness and create purchase orders.
• Travel expense report review for math accuracy, proper approval and receipts and adhering to federal compliance requirements.
• Act as the point of contact for audit requests.
• Responsible for efficiently performing assigned general accounting functions to include account reconciliations.
• Receives, researches and resolves a variety of routine internal and external inquiries concerning account status, account discrepancies and follows through to resolution.
• Run necessary accounts payable reports in Deltek Costpoint and utilize MS Excel to analyze data.
• Performs general analysis and reconciliations of employee and non-employee travel advances, reimbursements and requests.
• Participate in month-end accounts payable processes.
• Understands requirements for 1099 vendors and assists with annual reporting for IRS 1099 preparation and reconciliations.
• Maintains and distributes accounting documents, records and reports.
• Communicate with vendors via phone or e-mail.
• All AURA employees are responsible for the proper management and control of all AURA property within their work area, whether assigned to them or someone else. This responsibility includes reporting any known missing, stolen, or non-working property in their work area to their supervisor or the AURA Property Officer.
• Responsible for ensuring compliance with government award terms and conditions assigned to this position or subordinates of this position.

 Other Functions:

 Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Associate’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum of 5 years of accounts payable or general accounting experience
• Familiarity with accounting systems and Excel-based data analysis.
• Knowledge of federal travel regulations
• Understanding of travel allowable and unallowable costs
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to interpret and follow financial policies, procedures, and federal compliance guidelines.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills

Preferences:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience with Deltek Costpoint
• Understanding of IRS 1099 reporting requirements and federal travel compliance standards
• Experience with vendor banking and payment setup in accounting systems

Physical Demands:  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk; or hear.  
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop; kneel; crouch; or crawl.  
• The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.  
• Must possess - sufficient mobility, strength, or dexterity in both arms and hands and both legs to a) reach upward, sideways, downward to work with paper files; b) sufficient mobility and dexterity to utilize computer systems, fax machines, copiers, and other office machines. 
• Must possess – 1) ability to read and understand instructions, drawings, safety guides, and other written materials necessary to perform job; 2) sufficient visual capacity to perform the applicable functions without assistance of visual aids other than eye contacts or eye glasses; 3) sufficient spoken aural capacity to hear and understand instructions, warning bells, fire alarms, or shouted instructions without assistance of auditory aids other than a hearing aid; and 4) ability to impart information orally so that others understand and can respond appropriately. 

Salary and Benefits:

Salary Range: $65,000-$80,000. The final salary will depend on skills, qualifications, experience and location.

AURA offers an excellent benefits package including paid time off and retirement plan contributions, competitive salary commensurate with experience, and a very attractive work environment. Details on benefits can be found at  Benefits by Location - Aura Human Resources 

How to Apply: 

Apply by April 29, 2026 for priority consideration. This position will remain open until it is filled. Please submit a cover letter and a CV or resume, PDF files preferred. Please name any attachments with the following format: LastName DocName. 

Individuals needing assistance with the employment process can request assistance here.