Director of Accounts Payable

Job Description

The Director of Accounts Payable leads the companywide accounts payable function and corporate travel and expense program. The Director is accountable for accurate, timely, secure, and efficient vendor payments and employee reimbursements; a strong internal control environment; effective team leadership; and continued improvement of processes and systems. The role partners with Accounting, Treasury, Tax, Purchasing, Information Technology, operating departments, and external vendors to support reliable financial reporting and a consistent service experience.
Key Responsibilities
Accounts Payable
• Provide enterprise leadership and accountability for the end-to-end accounts payable operating model, including invoice processing, approval workflow, exception management, vendor service, and payment execution.
• Set and maintain AP policies, procedures, service expectations, and operating standards that promote accuracy, timely processing, compliance, and consistent execution across the organization.
• Build the capability and capacity of the AP organization through clear accountability, leadership development, succession planning, cross-training, and disciplined performance management.
• Own the AP control framework, including controls over vendor onboarding and changes, invoice approvals, segregation of duties, duplicate payment prevention, payment release, and access to AP systems and banking information.
• Establish payment governance and oversee vendor payment activity, coordinating with Treasury and Accounting on payment timing, liquidity requirements, bank activity, payment terms, and available discounts.
• Ensure AP activities supporting monthly, quarterly, and annual close are accurate, complete, and timely; review significant reconciliations, accruals, aging matters, account analyses, and unresolved items.
• Own oversight of AP-related tax compliance, including the accuracy and timely completion of 1099 reporting and coordination of applicable sales and use tax requirements with the Tax team.
• Establish performance measures and hold the organization accountable for results, including invoice cycle time, backlog, exception rates, on-time payments, aged items, duplicate or erroneous payments, and vendor service levels.
• Set the AP process and technology improvement roadmap and lead cross-functional initiatives that strengthen controls, improve service and visibility, increase automation, and reduce manual effort.
• Serve as the executive escalation point for significant or recurring vendor and internal stakeholder matters, including payment disputes, statement discrepancies, credits, control breakdowns, and process failures.
• Maintain audit readiness and accountability for AP audit support, findings, root cause analysis, and sustainable corrective actions.
• Provide concise reporting and recommendations to Finance leadership on operating performance, significant risks, control matters, strategic initiatives, and issues requiring executive attention.
Corporate Travel and Expense
• Own companywide travel and expense governance, including employee reimbursement and corporate credit card policies, standards, and enforcement.
• Set the strategy, controls, and operating expectations for expense management, corporate card, and travel booking systems, including workflow, access, issue resolution, and system improvement.
• Oversee expense activity, policy exceptions, card usage, and compliance trends, ensuring unusual or noncompliant activity is reviewed, resolved, and escalated appropriately.
• Ensure employees and managers receive clear training, communication, and support regarding travel and expense requirements.
• Use travel and expense data to identify savings opportunities, recurring issues, compliance risks, and process improvements, and report significant trends to Finance leadership.
Required Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field required; an equivalent combination of education and highly relevant experience may be considered in limited circumstances.
• At least 10 years of progressive accounts payable, travel and expense, or related finance operations experience, including at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of AP and travel and expense processes, internal controls, financial close requirements, 1099 reporting, and applicable sales and use tax considerations.
• Proven success improving processes and implementing AP, workflow, or expense management systems and automation tools.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with consistent attention to detail.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively with business leaders, employees, vendors, auditors, and other external parties.
• Sound judgment, integrity, discretion, and a strong commitment to internal controls and responsible stewardship of company funds.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience in a large corporate, multi-entity, or high-volume operating environment.
• Experience with enterprise resource planning, invoice workflow, and expense management platforms; Oracle Cloud and Concur experience are preferred.
• Familiarity with electronic and international payment processes, corporate card programs, workflow automation, and data analytics tools.
Leadership Competencies

Accountability and sound judgment; Servant leadership and a service-oriented mindset; People development and succession planning; Process discipline and continuous improvement; Cross-functional collaboration and influence; Ability to prioritize and execute in a high-volume environment.

BENEFITS:

R+L Carriers offers an excellent compensation and comprehensive benefits package that includes Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance, 401(k) Retirement Plan with company matching contributions, Paid Vacation & Holidays, and vacation lodging at our exclusive employee resorts in Daytona Beach, FL, Big Bear Lake, CA, Pigeon Forge, TN, and Ocean Isle Beach, NC.