Accounts Payable Specialist

Organization Overview:

Colorado Legal Services (CLS) is Colorado’s statewide nonprofit legal aid program, with thirteen offices providing civil legal assistance to low-income Coloradans throughout the state. CLS provides free legal assistance in a broad variety of legal areas, including family law, public benefits, eviction defense, consumer protection, services to survivors of serious crime and human trafficking, and many others.

CLS has strengthened lives, assisted families, and supported communities–one person at a time for over 90 years. We are committed to providing high-quality, free legal advice and representation to eligible individuals throughout Colorado. We have a long history of successful impact and advocacy. CLS strives to bring about substantive, transformational change in the lives of those we serve.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a detail-oriented and organized Accounts Payable Specialist to join our finance team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for managing the organization’s accounts payable functions, ensuring accurate and timely processing of invoices, payments, and reconciliations. The Accounts Payable Specialist will play a crucial role in maintaining vendor relationships, ensuring compliance with internal policies, and supporting the overall financial operations of the organization.

Essential Duties:

• Invoice Processing: Accurately process and verify invoices and purchase orders for payment, ensuring all entries are compliant with CLS’ policies.
• Payment Management: Prepare and process vendor payments by check, ACH, wire transfer, or any other payment method ensuring all payments are made on time and within agreed-upon terms.
• Vendor Reconciliation: Perform monthly reconciliations of accounts payable to ensure all transactions are accurate and up to date.
• Expense Report / Disbursement Request Review: Assist in the review of employee expense reports / disbursement requests and ensure proper documentation and approval are in place before processing.
• Recordkeeping: Maintain organized, detailed records of all accounts payable transactions and ensure proper filing of invoices, payment confirmations, and supporting documents.
• AP Module maintenance: Keep the AP Module with accurate balance and recommend adjustments if necessary.
• Unclear checks: Track uncleared checks and recommend adjustments if necessary.
• Discrepancy Resolution: Investigate and resolve any discrepancies related to accounts payable, including issues with vendors, payments, or invoicing.
• Vendor Relations: Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors, addressing inquiries and resolving issues related to billing, payment terms, or account discrepancies.
• Month-End and Year-End Support: Assist with the month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring timely and accurate reporting of accounts payable.
• Compliance and Audits: Ensure adherence to company policies and accounting principles, and support internal and external audits as needed.
• Key Contributor to Finance and Accounting Team: Our accounting team is small, committed, and reliable. We depend on each staff member to work together and be willing to pitch in for each other when needed, demonstrating flexibility and good teamwork.
• AP Change Management: Assist with the identification and implementation of new AP tools as we increasingly move from checks to digital tools.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or higher degree in accounting, finance, or a related field preferred.
• Experience: 2 years of experience in accounts payable or a similar financial role.
• Technical Skills: Proficient in accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, SAP, Oracle) and Microsoft Excel. We use Abila MIP, so familiarity with this system is a plus but is not required.
• Attention to Detail: Strong attention to detail and accuracy in processing transactions.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact with vendors and internal teams effectively.
• Time Management: Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify and resolve discrepancies.
• Team player: Excellent ability to flexibly and reliably work with a small team, maintaining a positive attitude and can-do spirit.
• Customer Service: Excellent customer service mindset, including responsiveness and helpfulness to CLS staff submitting AP requests.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles.
• Experience with automated accounts payable systems.
• Previous experience in a high-volume or multi-location environment.
• Familiarity with tax regulations related to accounts payable.

Compensation and Benefits:

We offer a generous plan that includes 100% employer paid premiums for employee health, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance, as well as partial employer paid premiums for spouses/dependents, based on a sliding scale. We also offer Dependent Care and Medical Flexible spending accounts, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). CLS contributes $200/month to each employee's 403(b) retirement account and also matches 100% of employee contributions up to 3% of employee salary; vesting occurs gradually will full vesting after 3 years of employment. Additionally, CLS offers generous paid time-off and 13 paid holidays per year.

CLS values its employees’ commitment to working hard for the population it serves and recognizes the importance of work/life balance. We promote and foster a diverse, inclusive, equitable, and psychologically safe work environment, striving to be a “Best Place to Work” in Colorado.

How to Apply: Please use the “Apply for This Job” link for this job opening on our careers page. We will not be reviewing applications sent via e-mail or physical mail. If you have questions about this position or any other positions at Colorado Legal Services, contact Karen Masciulli Vilner, Director of People and Culture, at kvilner@colegalserv.org.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging:

CLS embraces diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging as an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building and retaining a workforce that respects and empowers each individual and represents a variety of diverse cultures, perspectives, skills, and experiences. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply for this position.