Accounts Payable and Banking Executive
The Economist is an organization dedicated to driving progress and providing insights to tackle global challenges. The Accounts Payable and Banking Executive will manage end-to-end accounts payable operations and banking activities for the US region, ensuring compliance with internal controls and financial policies.
Responsibilities
- Process vendor invoices accurately and in a timely manner in ERP systems (e.g., PeopleSoft, Oracle, SAP)
- Coordinate with internal stakeholders to obtain invoice approvals and resolve discrepancies
- Manage vendor queries and maintain strong relationships with US vendors
- Monitor invoice aging and ensure payments are processed within agreed payment terms
- Review credit notes, adjustments and check for duplicate invoices
- Prepare and process weekly/bi-weekly payment runs for US vendors
- Execute vendor payments via ACH, wire transfers, and checks
- Ensure compliance with the company’s payment authorization matrix and internal controls
- Maintain payment documentation and audit trails
- Review and validate vendor creation requests for the US region
- Maintain a repository of invoice documentation and supporting records, including hard copies where required
- Ensure compliance with US accounting standards and company policies
- Assist with 1099 reporting and maintain vendor tax documentation (W-9 forms)
- Manage the corporate credit card program by ensuring there is back up for the company card charges and monitor the balances for all team member cards; handle card charge disputes and file applications for new cards
- Maintain proper documentation to support internal and external audits
- Coordinate with regular vendors to ensure timely resolution of invoice and payment issues
- Monitor daily bank transactions for US bank accounts
- Manage check issuance and related payment processes
- Support the opening and closing of bank accounts when required
- Post bank entries including bank fees, FX differences, and other adjustments
- Coordinate with banks for payment confirmations, banking queries, and issue resolution
- Manage US payroll payments and ad-hoc payment requests when required
- Perform and maintain bank reconciliations using reconciliation tools (e.g., BlackLine)
Skills
- Demonstrated experience in Accounts Payable and Banking operations
- Hands-on experience handling US region transactions and vendors
- Experience with ERP systems such as PeopleSoft, SAP, Oracle, or similar
- Knowledge of ACH, wire payments, check processing, and US banking practices
- Experience with bank reconciliations and financial close processes
- Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills
- Good communication skills to interact with US stakeholders and vendors
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting / Finance / Commerce
- Experience in shared services or global finance teams
- Knowledge of US GAAP basics
- Familiarity with reconciliation tools such as BlackLine is preferred
Benefits
- Highly competitive pension or 401(k) plan
- Private health insurance
- 24/7 access to counselling and wellbeing resources through our Employee Assistance Program
- Work From Anywhere program, which allows you to work from any location where you have the legal right to do so for up to 25 days per year
- Generous annual and parental leave
- Dedicated days off for volunteering and even for moving home
- Free access to all The Economist content, including an online subscription, our range of apps, podcasts and more
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