Accounts Payable Analyst

Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a resume, cover letter and three references in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities. 

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

Position Summary:

The Accounts Payable Analyst is an integral member of the Accounts Payable and Expenses team. This position plays a critical role in the enhancement and ongoing maintenance of the university's service reputation with its internal customers and external suppliers across a variety of interest points, primarily in terms of timely and accurate payments.  The Accounts Payable Analyst has a strong, pivotal role to ensure that payment issues are communicated internally, responses are assembled and distributed to customers quickly and accurately and done so with a positive and helpful attitude that reflects the values of the Controller's Office at Rice University.  

This position will also provide direct support and overflow services to the accounts payable team. This role can expect continued cross-training and exposure to invoice processing.

Ideal Candidate Statement: 

Ideal candidates should display courtesy, tact, consideration, efficiency and discretion in all interactions with other members of the Rice community and with the public

Workplace Location: 

This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range: $49,187 - $61,408 annually

*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime. 

Minimum Requirements: 

• Bachelor's Degree
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year for year basis may be substituted
• One or more (1 ) years of accounts payable experience
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted 

Skills: 

• Proficient computer skills and demonstrated experience with office software and email applications (Outlook and Gmail)
• Experience working with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems such as SAP, Oracle, Workday
• Demonstrated success in follow-through and completing routine tasks 
• Advanced organizational, critical thinking, verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Strong problem-solving skills: ability to work well in a fast-paced environment
• Efficiently handle high-volume workload
• Excellent attention to detail
• Accounts Payable experience

Preferences:

• Oracle experience
• Demonstrated success with basic accounting skills

Essential Functions:

• Ensure that payment run is processed in a timely manner by preparing and analyzing the payment file
• Perform a thorough audit of payment files for errors and make corrections
• Perform general accounting activities, including the preparation, maintenance and reconciliation of ageing reports and outstanding checks.
• Prepare and analyze accounting transactions and ensures the integrity of accounting records for completeness, accuracy and compliance with accepted accounting policies and principles 
• Identify, prioritize, and resolve financial issues; probe beyond stated situation; identify underlying issues; recognize and troubleshoot exceptions
• Effectively communicate, update, persuade, and facilitate discussions with all levels of management
• Recommend, assist, test, or implement process streamlining, system improvements or workflow changes; participates as a project team member
• Reconcile vendor statements and resolve any outstanding issues
• Proactively escalate risks and unresolved issues to leadership
• Maintain appropriate disbursement processing controls and assist with processing the file for deductions, garnishments, and direct deposits, including returned monies and payment cancellations.
• Process stop payment requests and coordinates with general accounting for checks that are ready to be escheated, including stop payment requests and re-issuing outdated payments as appropriate.
• Identify, review, and process credit memos timely
• Process invoices using 3-way match
• Participate in internal and external audit processes by compiling required documents
• Enforce the University’s policies and procedures as applicable
• Assist with the Pcard program on a backup basis, including card administration and issue resolution.

Additional Functions:

• Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, email, and database software
• Basic knowledge of accounting and accounting principles
• Working knowledge of accounting systems 
• Maintains confidentiality of organizational information

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits 
Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University 

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at facstaffada@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu . Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.

Salary : $49,187 - $61,408