What are the responsibilities and job description for the Head of Accounts Payable - US position at Houlihan Lokey?
Business Unit:
Accounting
Industry:
No Industry
Overview
Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) is a global investment bank with expertise in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, financial restructuring, and financial and valuation advisory. Houlihan Lokey serves corporations, institutions, and governments worldwide with offices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region. Independent advice and intellectual rigor are hallmarks of the firm’s commitment to client success across its advisory services. The firm is the No. 1 investment bank for global M&A transactions under $1 billion, the No. 1 M&A advisor for the past eight consecutive years in the U.S., the No. 1 global restructuring advisor for the past nine consecutive years, and the No. 1 global M&A fairness opinion advisor over the past 25 years, all based on number of transactions and according to data provided by Refinitiv.
Scope
We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Head of Accounts Payable to lead our accounts payable team at Houlihan Lokey. This individual will be responsible for overseeing the accurate and timely processing of all accounts payable transactions, ensuring compliance with financial policies and regulations, and managing relationships with internal stakeholders and external vendors. The Head of Accounts Payable will be a key partner in optimizing financial operations and driving improvements in efficiency and controls within the finance department.
Responsibilities
- Lead, manage, and mentor a team of accounts payable professionals, fostering a high-performance culture.
- Provide guidance and training to ensure team members are equipped to perform at their best.
- Develop and implement processes for team productivity, performance tracking, and professional development.
- Oversee the end-to-end accounts payable process, including invoice receipt, approval, coding, payment, and reconciliation.
- Ensure timely and accurate processing of vendor invoices, expense reports, and payment disbursements.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal departments (e.g., procurement, legal, operations) and external vendors.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant financial regulations, policies, and internal controls.
- Manage the preparation and review of accounts payable reports, providing insights and recommendations to senior leadership.
- Lead audits related to accounts payable and ensure proper documentation and support for financial audits.Develop and implement best practices for the department, ensuring alignment with the bank’s overall financial goals.
- Drive continuous improvement in the accounts payable function, identifying opportunities for automation and streamlining processes.
- Oversee the management of payment schedules and optimize cash flow management.
- Negotiate payment terms with vendors to ensure favorable outcomes for the bank.
- Act as the primary point of contact for resolving vendor disputes and issues related to payments, invoices, and account discrepancies.
- Work closely with Treasury, Tax, and other finance functions to ensure smooth payment processes and accurate reporting.
- Collaborate with senior leadership to develop and execute strategies for managing the company’s liabilities and cash flow efficiently.
Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field (CPA or equivalent certification preferred).
- Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in accounts payable or finance, with at least 5 years in a leadership role within a complex organization, preferably in the banking or financial services industry.
- Proven track record of successfully managing large-scale accounts payable operations.
- Strong understanding of accounting principles, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance requirements.
- Exceptional leadership and people management skills.
- Proficiency in financial software (e.g., SAP, Oracle, or similar ERP systems).
- Advanced Excel and data analysis skills.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
- Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
Preferred
- Experience with automation tools and initiatives to optimize the accounts payable process.
- Familiarity with the financial regulations specific to investment banking and financial institutions.
Compensation and Benefits
Houlihan Lokey is committed to providing its employees with an exciting career opportunity and competitive total compensation package, which may include other components such as discretionary incentive compensation. The firm’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the possible salary range for this role at the time of posting is:
$125,000.00-$160,000.00
Actual salary at the time of hire may vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant qualifications, skills, and experience and the location where this position may be filled.
Houlihan Lokey provides a competitive benefits package. Our current benefits offerings can be found here:
2025 Benefits
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Salary : $125,000 - $160,000
