Manager, Accounts Payable

Job description

Position Overview: The Accounts Payable Manager is a key leader within KIPP NYC's Finance Team, responsible for overseeing the organization's accounts payable operations and ensuring the timely, accurate, and compliant processing of invoices, payments, employee reimbursements, and vendor transactions. Reporting to the Director of Accounts Payable, the Accounts Payable Manager plays a key role in strengthening financial operations, ensuring sound stewardship of organizational resources, and delivering responsive, high-quality financial services that enable KIPP NYC schools and regional teams to focus on student success. This role partners closely with school leaders, Shared Services teams, and external vendors to strengthen financial operations, maintain strong internal controls, and continuously improve accounts payable processes across the organization. This role requires a collaborative, customer-focused leader who can manage day-to-day operations, develop efficient systems, build strong relationships across the organization, and foster a culture of continuous improvement while ensuring compliance with accounting standards, organizational policies, and grant requirements. This is a full-time position with a hybrid schedule, requiring a minimum of three in-person days per week based out of our KIPP NYC Midtown Manhattan office. The role also includes travel to KIPP NYC campuses across the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. The cadence and frequency of school visits will be determined by your leadership team. Duties and Responsibilities: General responsibilities include (but are not limited to): Accounts Payable Operations Lead the full-cycle accounts payable process, including invoice receipt, coding, approval workflows, payment processing, employee reimbursements, and vendor maintenance. Ensure invoices, reimbursements, credit card transactions, and other financial obligations are processed accurately and in a timely manner. Oversee weekly payment runs, including ACH, wire transfers, checks, and electronic payment methods. Monitor accounts payable aging and proactively resolve outstanding vendor balances, payment discrepancies, and exceptions. Maintain accurate vendor records, including W-9 documentation, tax information, and payment profiles. Ensure timely resolution of payment inquiries while maintaining excellent customer service. Team Leadership & Development Develop cross-training plans that strengthen operational continuity and build team capacity. Foster a collaborative, customer-service-oriented culture focused on accuracy, responsiveness, and continuous improvement. Financial Controls & Compliance Ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), organizational policies, grant requirements, charter school regulations, and internal financial controls. Maintain and strengthen controls related to purchasing, approvals, vendor management, and payment processing. Support internal and external financial audits by preparing documentation, reconciliations, and audit schedules. Coordinate annual 1099 reporting and other required tax compliance activities. Process Improvement & Systems Management Evaluate and improve accounts payable processes to increase efficiency, accuracy, and service quality. Maintain policies, procedures, and documentation that support consistent financial operations. Partner with Finance and Shared Services teams to improve purchasing, payment, and procurement workflows. Support financial system implementations, upgrades, testing, and ongoing optimization. Vendor & Stakeholder Partnership Serve as the primary point of contact for vendor payment inquiries and escalations. Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors, school leaders, and Shared Services teams. Partner with departments across the organization to resolve invoice, purchasing, and payment issues. Deliver responsive, solutions-oriented customer service while ensuring compliance with organizational policies and financial controls. Reporting & Financial Analysis Prepare accounts payable reports, dashboards, and operational metrics for Finance leadership. Monitor key performance indicators, including invoice processing times, payment accuracy, aging reports, and vendor performance. Support month-end and year-end close activities, including accruals, reconciliations, and financial reporting. Assist with cash flow planning by providing payment forecasts and spending trend analysis. Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field required. Minimum of five years of progressive accounts payable or accounting experience. Strong knowledge of accounts payable operations, accounting principles, internal controls, and financial best practices. Experience with ERP systems, electronic invoice processing, and financial workflow management. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Google Workspace, and financial reporting tools. Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail. Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high levels of accuracy in a fast-paced environment. Experience in nonprofit, education, charter school, or public-sector finance preferred. Knowledge of grant-funded accounting and 1099 reporting requirements preferred. Experience leading process improvement initiatives, systems implementations, or operational change efforts preferred. Compensation & Benefits: KIPP NYC offers a salary ranging from $80,340 - $100,940 per year. Salary ranges at KIPP NYC are standardized based on role level and role function. Individual salaries are determined through a lens of equity, accounting for years of experience relevant to the role and scope of responsibilities, and are benchmarked against others within the same salary band. KIPP NYC offers a generous benefits package, including, but not limited to, the following: Robust benefits that include medical, dental, and vision. 403(b) retirement plan with a 50% match after 6 months. Generous Time-Off aligned with the school calendar Up to 12 weeks of 100% parental leave. Bright Horizon Back-up Child and Elder care. Employer-paid Life Insurance and Short-term/Long-term disability. Employee incentives include 8 Weeks paid Sabbatical after 10 years, annual professional development funds, and tuition reimbursement. This description is intended to describe the type of work being performed by a person assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required by the employee. This is a full-time, in-person role based in New York City and will require travel to our schools. If you are not in a school-based position, the cadence and frequency of travel to schools is determined by your leadership team. If you relocate outside of a commutable distance or out of the state of NY, your employment will be subject to review, which may include separation from KIPP NYC. It is important that you notify HR if you move or have plans to relocate. KIPP NYC LLC does not offer visa sponsorship or work authorization. KIPP NYC LLC is committed to creating a welcoming environment that includes employees with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We believe that enables us to better meet our mission and values while serving students and families throughout New York City. KIPP NYC LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KIPP NYC LLC is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment. About KIPP NYC: Founded in 1995, KIPP NYC Public Schools is a non-profit network of 18 free, public charter schools located in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. We partner with families and communities to create joyful, academically excellent schools where every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities. From our first middle school, KIPP Academy in the Bronx, to today’s network of eight elementary schools, nine middle schools, and one high school, KIPP NYC provides students with engaging academics, arts, athletics, and social–emotional learning that prepare them for college, career, and beyond. Our commitment doesn’t end at graduation. Through KIPP Forward, we continue to support our alumni as they navigate college, career, and life, helping them define success on their own terms and pursue the paths that align with their goals and sense of purpose. Together, we serve more than 9,400 students, support 4700 alumni, and employ over 1,100 dedicated team members who bring passion, expertise, and commitment to our mission every day.