Accounts Payable Manager

Accounts Payable Manager

The Accounts Payable Manager is responsible for leading the daily operations of the University’s accounts payable department, ensuring the accurate and compliant processing of invoices and disbursements in accordance with University policies. This role focuses on optimizing operational efficiencies by leading the team's transition from manual, paper-based workflows to automated technology solutions. The Manager provides direct supervision, mentorship, and professional development to the AP staff, fostering a culture of engagement and continuous improvement. The Manager oversees a comprehensive scope including invoice processing, the AP helpdesk, systems administration, and unclaimed property compliance.

Responsibilities

• Team Leadership: Directly supervise, mentor, and evaluate the performance of the Accounts Payable staff. Foster a high-performance culture by promoting team engagement and providing opportunities for professional development and skill-building. Manage daily workloads to ensure invoices are processed accurately and timely. Lead recruitment and onboarding efforts for the AP team, ensuring staff are trained in evolving technologies and best practices.
• Systems Administration & Automation Efficiency: Serve as a functional lead for AP systems. Identify bottlenecks in current workflows and lead the transition from manual entry to automated invoice processing. Collaborate with IT and Financial Systems to troubleshoot integration issues and test system enhancements.
• Operational Management: Oversee the Accounts Payable Helpdesk, ensuring responsive and professional customer service to internal departments and external vendors. Serve as the primary point of escalation for complex payment disputes. Manage "Payment Exceptions," including the research and resolution of returned payments (ACH/Wires) and uncashed/stale-dated checks. Lead the "Due Diligence" process for unclaimed property to ensure compliance with Florida’s escheatment laws, attempting to reunite funds with rightful owners before state reporting.
• Compliance & Quality Assurance: Enforce compliance with university expenditure policies and State of Florida statutes. Conduct regular quality control and post-processing reviews to ensure data integrity, internal control adherence, and prevention of duplicate or improper payments. Own and maintain departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensuring documentation reflects current regulatory requirements and Accounts Payable best practices.
• Training & Campus Support: Develop and deliver training programs for both the internal AP team and campus wide users to support accurate, compliant, and efficient transaction processing. Maintain AP related policies, procedures, web resources, user guides and other guidance or tools to support department needs. Promote process improvements through training, communication, and adoption of updated tools and workflows. Produce and analyze monthly performance metrics (KPIs) related to productivity, service levels, and system utilization. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree -OR- equivalent combination of education and related experience; 5+ years of related experience.
• Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree. Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
• Preferred Qualifications: 5+ years’ experience supervising a high volume accounts payable team. Demonstrated experience with automated invoice processing tools. Direct experience leading a team through an ERP implementation or a major technology upgrade (e.g., transitioning to Workday, Oracle, or SAP).

About Us

Working at USF With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts. About USF The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu .

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check. Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws: The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process. Equal Employment Opportunity The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract. Key skills/competency:

• Accounts Payable Management
• Team Leadership
• Process Automation
• Systems Administration
• Compliance and Quality Assurance
• Training and Development
• Financial Systems
• ERP Implementation
• Invoice Processing
• Vendor Management