Senior Accounts Payable Analyst

AURA's mission is to provide innovative, open resources to enable discovery and excellence in research, to unify the astrophysics communities, and to promote public understanding of our universe and the benefits of science exploration. AURA carries out its role through its astronomical facilities.

AURA is hiring for a Senior Accounts Payable Analyst to be a key member of the Finance team, responsible not only for accurate and timely processing of vendor payments and travel reimbursements, but also for performing critical financial analysis to support compliance and operational decision-making. This role involves analyzing transactional data, identifying discrepancies, and ensuring alignment with federal regulations and internal policies.

The ideal candidate brings strong attention to detail, a problem-solving mindset, and proficiency in accounting systems and Excel-based reporting. This position plays a vital role in maintaining financial integrity and supporting efficient workflows across the organization.

Essential Functions

• Process AP transactions, ensuring invoices and travel reimbursements are processed timely to meet critical weekly and month-end deadlines.
• Works with Procurement and Internal managers to verify approval of invoices to ensure timely payment of vendor invoices.
• Review approved travel requisitions for completeness and create purchase orders.
• Travel expense report review for math accuracy, proper approval and receipts and adhering to federal compliance requirements.
• Act as the point of contact for audit requests.
• Responsible for efficiently performing assigned general accounting functions to include account reconciliations.
• Receives, researches and resolves a variety of routine internal and external inquiries concerning account status, account discrepancies and follows through to resolution.
• Run necessary accounts payable reports in Deltek Costpoint and utilize MS Excel to analyze data.
• Performs general analysis and reconciliations of employee and non-employee travel advances, reimbursements and requests.
• Participate in month-end accounts payable processes.
• Understands requirements for 1099 vendors and assists with annual reporting for IRS 1099 preparation and reconciliations.
• Maintains and distributes accounting documents, records and reports.
• Communicate with vendors via phone or e-mail.

Requirements

• Associate's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum of 5 years of accounts payable or general accounting experience
• Familiarity with accounting systems and Excel-based data analysis.
• Knowledge of federal travel regulations
• Understanding of travel allowable and unallowable costs
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to interpret and follow financial policies, procedures, and federal compliance guidelines.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills

Preferences

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience with Deltek Costpoint
• Understanding of IRS 1099 reporting requirements and federal travel compliance standards
• Experience with vendor banking and payment setup in accounting systems

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk; or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop; kneel; crouch; or crawl.
• The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Must possess - sufficient mobility, strength, or dexterity in both arms and hands and both legs to a) reach upward, sideways, downward to work with paper files; b) sufficient mobility and dexterity to utilize computer systems, fax machines, copiers, and other office machines.
• Must possess

• 1. ability to read and understand instructions, drawings, safety guides, and other…