Finance Analyst, Accounts Payable

The Financial Analyst, Accounts Payable is responsible for analyzing, monitoring, and improving Accounts Payable operations through data-driven insights, financial analysis, and process optimization. This role supports internal stakeholders, external suppliers, and cross-functional teams by identifying trends, resolving complex invoice and payment issues, and ensuring the accuracy and integrity of AP financial data.

The Financial Analyst leverages reporting, analytics, and key performance metrics to identify process inefficiencies, mitigate financial risk, improve vendor experience, and support continuous improvement initiatives. This position partners closely with Procurement, Accounting, Supply Chain, IT, and business stakeholders to drive operational excellence and strengthen financial controls.

This position is not hybrid/remote and will be located at our Hinckley Parkway building in Cleveland, OH.

Because this role involves access to confidential financial information, the Company has determined that a review of criminal history is necessary to protect the business and its operations and reputation and to provide similar protections for its clients and potential investments.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

1. Accounts Payable Analysis and Exception Management

• Analyze invoice, payment, and vendor data to identify trends, processing inefficiencies, and recurring exceptions.
• Research and resolve invoice discrepancies related to pricing, quantities, purchase orders, receipts, and tax treatment.
• Perform root cause analysis on recurring issues and recommend corrective actions to improve processing accuracy and efficiency.
• Monitor invoice aging, exception queues, and unresolved transactions to minimize financial risk and payment delays.
• Support timely and accurate invoice processing while ensuring compliance with company policies and controls.

2. Financial Reporting and Data Analytics

• Analyze Accounts Payable reports, including aging, hold, open receipt, debit balance, and workflow performance reports.
• Develop reporting and dashboards to measure key performance indicators (KPIs) and operational effectiveness.
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement through detailed analysis of financial and operational data.
• Present actionable insights and recommendations to management and business partners.
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end reporting activities.

3. Vendor and Stakeholder Support

• Serve as a primary point of contact for supplier and internal stakeholder inquiries regarding invoices, payments, and AP processes.
• Utilize data analysis and transaction research to resolve complex issues and escalations.
• Build strong relationships with vendors and internal customers to improve communication and reduce recurring issues.
• Collaborate with Procurement, Receiving, Accounting, and operational teams to resolve process gaps and improve performance.

4. Account Reconciliations and Financial Controls

• Perform balance sheet account reconciliations and investigate reconciling items.
• Analyze account activity and aging to ensure accurate financial reporting and compliance with company policies.
• Validate financial data integrity across systems and reports.
• Support internal and external audit requests and ensure adherence to established controls.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen controls and improve reporting accuracy.

5. Process Improvement and Automation

• Identify opportunities to streamline AP processes through automation, standardization, and workflow improvements.
• Analyze operational metrics to measure process performance and improvement effectiveness.
• Participate in system implementations, enhancements, and testing activities.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives designed to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and improve service levels.
• Monitor and report on the effectiveness of implemented solutions.

6. Cross-Functional Collaboration and Strategic Support

• Partner with Accounting, Finance, Procurement, Supply Chain, Business Process Improvement, and IT teams to address operational challenges.
• Provide analytical support for special projects, business cases, and management reporting.
• Assist leadership with forecasting, risk assessments, trend analysis, and performance measurement.
• Contribute to strategic initiatives that enhance financial performance and operational effectiveness.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration
• 1+ years of experience in Business or Finance
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship
• Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age
• Experience using Microsoft Office products Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Preferred:

• 1+ years of accounts payable experience within a large manufacturing and/or retail sales environment.
• Adapt easily to technological advancements in a fast-paced environment

• Experience using data to identify trends, root causes, and opportunities for improvement.

• Experience with reporting tools, dashboards, or data visualization software.

• Oracle

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Travel: 10%