What are the responsibilities and job description for the Accounts Payable Accountant position at Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan?
WHY WORK FOR GOODWILL?
Ready for a career with impact? Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan (Goodwill SWMI) gives you the opportunity to make a difference in your local community while building your professional skills. We reward creativity and innovation while offering competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package. Our team members enjoy a professional, fast-paced, and fulfilling work environment.
ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION
Goodwill SWMI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Our nearly 300 dedicated team members help achieve our mission of improving the community by providing employment, education, training, and support services across a six-county territory.
We operate eleven retail stores, a donation center, and several business units that support our mission and financial sustainability. Our core values—Success, Collaboration, People, and Positivity—guide everything we do.
Learn more: www.goodwillswmi.org
Position Summary
**This position is in-person only.**
The Accounts Payable Accountant is responsible for administering the organization’s full-cycle accounts payable function while ensuring the accurate, timely, and compliant processing of financial transactions. This role plays a critical part in maintaining the integrity of the general ledger, supporting month-end and year-end close activities, safeguarding internal controls, and ensuring compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), organizational policies, and applicable regulatory requirements. The Accounts Payable Accountant reviews, reconciles, and processes vendor invoices and payment transactions, resolves discrepancies, maintains vendor records, and collaborates with internal departments to ensure expenditures are properly authorized, coded, and recorded. This position also supports financial reporting, cash flow management, audit preparation, and continuous process improvement initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and strengthen financial controls. Success in this role requires advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, exceptional attention to detail, sound accounting knowledge, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy, confidentiality, and customer service. The ideal candidate demonstrates professionalism, accountability, and a commitment to building strong relationships with vendors and internal stakeholders while contributing to the overall effectiveness of the Finance and Accounting team.
Key Responsibilities
• Manage the full-cycle accounts payable process, ensuring accurate and timely processing of
invoices, expense reports, and vendor payments.
• Review, verify, and reconcile invoices against purchase orders, contracts, and receiving
documentation to ensure compliance with organizational policies.
• Maintain vendor master records, including onboarding new vendors, updating payment
information, and ensuring compliance with IRS W-9 and 1099 reporting requirements.
• Perform monthly accounts payable reconciliations, resolve discrepancies, and support month-end
and year-end financial close activities.
• Prepare and process electronic payments, ACH transactions, wire transfers, and check runs
while maintaining strong internal controls.
• Monitor accounts payable aging reports, prioritize payment schedules, and maintain positive
vendor relationships through timely issue resolution.
• Collaborate with department managers to ensure expenditures are coded accurately to the
appropriate general ledger accounts, cost centers, grants, or projects.
• Assist with annual audits by preparing schedules, supporting documentation, and responding
to auditor requests related to accounts payable transactions.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, organizational policies, and nonprofit grant funding
requirements, maintaining a high level of financial accuracy and accountability.
• Identify opportunities to improve accounts payable workflows, strengthen internal controls, and
increase process efficiency through automation and best practices.
• Generate and analyze accounts payable reports to support cash flow management, budgeting,
and financial decision-making.
• Partner with the Finance team to support continuous process improvement initiatives and
maintain accurate financial records.
• Process grant- and program-related expenditures, ensuring expenses are accurately allocated
to funding sources and comply with donor and grant restrictions.
• Support stewardship of organizational resources by maintaining strong fiscal controls and
ensuring compliance with nonprofit accounting standards.
• Collaborate with program managers and leadership to provide accurate financial information
that supports mission-driven operations and responsible fund management.
invoices, expense reports, and vendor payments.
• Review, verify, and reconcile invoices against purchase orders, contracts, and receiving
documentation to ensure compliance with organizational policies.
• Maintain vendor master records, including onboarding new vendors, updating payment
information, and ensuring compliance with IRS W-9 and 1099 reporting requirements.
• Perform monthly accounts payable reconciliations, resolve discrepancies, and support month-end
and year-end financial close activities.
• Prepare and process electronic payments, ACH transactions, wire transfers, and check runs
while maintaining strong internal controls.
• Monitor accounts payable aging reports, prioritize payment schedules, and maintain positive
vendor relationships through timely issue resolution.
• Collaborate with department managers to ensure expenditures are coded accurately to the
appropriate general ledger accounts, cost centers, grants, or projects.
• Assist with annual audits by preparing schedules, supporting documentation, and responding
to auditor requests related to accounts payable transactions.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, organizational policies, and nonprofit grant funding
requirements, maintaining a high level of financial accuracy and accountability.
• Identify opportunities to improve accounts payable workflows, strengthen internal controls, and
increase process efficiency through automation and best practices.
• Generate and analyze accounts payable reports to support cash flow management, budgeting,
and financial decision-making.
• Partner with the Finance team to support continuous process improvement initiatives and
maintain accurate financial records.
• Process grant- and program-related expenditures, ensuring expenses are accurately allocated
to funding sources and comply with donor and grant restrictions.
• Support stewardship of organizational resources by maintaining strong fiscal controls and
ensuring compliance with nonprofit accounting standards.
• Collaborate with program managers and leadership to provide accurate financial information
that supports mission-driven operations and responsible fund management.
Qualifications
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related
field preferred; equivalent combination of education and progressive accounting experience
will be considered.
• Five (5) or more years of progressive accounts payable and general accounting
experience, with demonstrated expertise in full-cycle accounts payable processing,
reconciliations, and month-end close activities.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including PivotTables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP,
formulas, and data analysis, as well as strong working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Extensive experience utilizing enterprise accounting and ERP systems such as Microsoft
Dynamics GP, Oracle, SAP, Sage lntacct, QuickBooks, NetSuite, or similar financial
management software.
• Thorough understanding of accounts payable principles, Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles (GAAP), internal controls, and financial compliance requirements.
• Experience processing high-volume invoices, vendor payments, ACH and wire transactions,
and maintaining vendor master records with exceptional accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to perform account reconciliations, resolve payment discrepancies, and
support month-end and year-end financial close processes.
• Knowledge of 1099 reporting requirements, sales and use tax, and vendor compliance
procedures preferred.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills with the ability to identify process
improvements and implement efficiencies.
• Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize
multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to build productive
relationships across departments and with external vendors.
• Proven ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain strict confidentiality, and uphold the
highest standards of professionalism and ethical financial stewardship.
• Self-motivated professional with the ability to work independently while contributing effectively
as a collaborative member of the finance team.
• Experience with grant accounting, fund accounting, or restricted funding as a preferred
qualification.
field preferred; equivalent combination of education and progressive accounting experience
will be considered.
• Five (5) or more years of progressive accounts payable and general accounting
experience, with demonstrated expertise in full-cycle accounts payable processing,
reconciliations, and month-end close activities.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including PivotTables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP,
formulas, and data analysis, as well as strong working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Extensive experience utilizing enterprise accounting and ERP systems such as Microsoft
Dynamics GP, Oracle, SAP, Sage lntacct, QuickBooks, NetSuite, or similar financial
management software.
• Thorough understanding of accounts payable principles, Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles (GAAP), internal controls, and financial compliance requirements.
• Experience processing high-volume invoices, vendor payments, ACH and wire transactions,
and maintaining vendor master records with exceptional accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to perform account reconciliations, resolve payment discrepancies, and
support month-end and year-end financial close processes.
• Knowledge of 1099 reporting requirements, sales and use tax, and vendor compliance
procedures preferred.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills with the ability to identify process
improvements and implement efficiencies.
• Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize
multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to build productive
relationships across departments and with external vendors.
• Proven ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain strict confidentiality, and uphold the
highest standards of professionalism and ethical financial stewardship.
• Self-motivated professional with the ability to work independently while contributing effectively
as a collaborative member of the finance team.
• Experience with grant accounting, fund accounting, or restricted funding as a preferred
qualification.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
• Comprehensive knowledge of accounts payable processes, accounting principles,
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and internal controls to ensure
accurate and compliant financial transactions.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to changing business needs, and
consistently meet critical deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical, reconciliation, and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify
discrepancies, determine root causes, and implement effective resolutions.
• Proficiency in analyzing financial data, interpreting reports, and making sound
recommendations to improve operational efficiency and financial accuracy.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain a high degree of accuracy, attention to detail,
and accountability while processing high-volume financial transactions.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize competing
responsibilities while maintaining exceptional quality standards.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across
departments and build productive relationships with vendors, leadership, auditors, and internal
stakeholders.
• Customer-focused approach to vendor and employee interactions, delivering responsive,
professional service while resolving payment inquiries and maintaining positive business
relationships.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while contributing effectively as a
collaborative member of the finance and accounting team.
• Demonstrated commitment to maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and security of sensitive
financial information and organizational data.
• Experience identifying opportunities to streamline accounts payable processes, strengthen
internal controls, and support continuous process improvement initiatives through automation
and best practices.
• Proficiency with ERP and financial management systems, leveraging technology to improve
reporting accuracy, workflow efficiency, and compliance.
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and internal controls to ensure
accurate and compliant financial transactions.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to changing business needs, and
consistently meet critical deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical, reconciliation, and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify
discrepancies, determine root causes, and implement effective resolutions.
• Proficiency in analyzing financial data, interpreting reports, and making sound
recommendations to improve operational efficiency and financial accuracy.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain a high degree of accuracy, attention to detail,
and accountability while processing high-volume financial transactions.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize competing
responsibilities while maintaining exceptional quality standards.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across
departments and build productive relationships with vendors, leadership, auditors, and internal
stakeholders.
• Customer-focused approach to vendor and employee interactions, delivering responsive,
professional service while resolving payment inquiries and maintaining positive business
relationships.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while contributing effectively as a
collaborative member of the finance and accounting team.
• Demonstrated commitment to maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and security of sensitive
financial information and organizational data.
• Experience identifying opportunities to streamline accounts payable processes, strengthen
internal controls, and support continuous process improvement initiatives through automation
and best practices.
• Proficiency with ERP and financial management systems, leveraging technology to improve
reporting accuracy, workflow efficiency, and compliance.
Physical Requirements
• Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and via email.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and via email.
Work Environment
• Standard business hours with occasional overtime during month-end, year-end, or audit
periods.
Must have a valid driver’s license. Reliable personal transportation. Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, theft-related background check, verification of education! Accounting credentials, and be insurable under the agency’s automobile insurance policy.
This job description outlines the primary responsibilities and qualifications for the Accounts Payable Accountant. The role may evolve overtime, and additional duties may be assigned as deemed necessary by the CEO & Executive Leadership of Goodwill SWMI.