What are the responsibilities and job description for the ACCOUNTS PAYABLE SPECIALIST - AFFORDABLE HOUSING position at Housing Authority St. Louis County?
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE SPECIALIST - AFFORDABLE HOUSING
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
Since 1952, the Housing Authority of St. Louis County, now known as County Housing, has played a pivotal role in providing safe and affordable housing to St. Louis County residents. Our team takes pride in helping more than 7,000 eligible families find a place they can call home.
We are passionate about our mission to:
We are passionate about our mission to:
- Provide decent, safe, and affordable housing;
- Ensure equal housing opportunities;
- Promote self-sufficiency; and
- Improve the quality of life and economic vitality for low and moderate-income families.
We pursue our mission by using existing federal programs to the maximum extent feasible, by linking with other service providers, and by creating new opportunities of our own design.
In pursuit of our mission, we strive to achieve four core organizational objectives, which are to:
- Deliver services safely, effectively, and efficiently.
- Ensure residents, property owners, and employees feel respected during interactions with us.
- Help our residents and families gain self-sufficiency through partnerships with other organizations in the community.
- Expand access to desirable and affordable housing.
OUR CORE VALUES
At County Housing, we are guided by our core values, which are fundamental principles that shape our organization's culture, behavior, and decisions. Our commitment to the core values of service, respect, integrity, excellence, and collaboration helps us achieve our mission. If there is an alignment between your personal philosophy and the following core values, we invite you to apply for an exciting new career with County Housing!
- SERVICE: We provide a vital service to residents and families, and we are dedicated advocates for their health and well-being. The quality of our operations is the expression of our commitment to our residents and our community. We work hard to serve our residents and families in a responsive, reliable, empathetic, and caring manner.
- RESPECT: We are supportive, compassionate, and courteous to our residents, property owners, community partners, and teammates, and we treat them as valued partners in our service mission.
- INTEGRITY: In all circumstances, we do the right thing. We follow relevant laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. Our ethical, honest, and transparent actions are the foundation upon which we build trust with our residents, teammates, and community.
- EXCELLENCE: In our diligent pursuit of excellence, we are not satisfied with anything short of the highest standards of service, respect, and integrity. We think critically about our work, embrace innovation, and challenge the status quo. We are proactive in the performance of our duties and accept accountability for our work. We celebrate our successes and grow from our lessons learned.
- COLLABORATION: We nurture a work environment in which all team members have a voice. We act with transparency, help each other, and share information freely. We work together – teammates, residents, and communities – to build inclusive relationships and partnerships that enable us to fulfill our service mission.
Job Summary
The Accounts Payable Specialist position advances the mission of County Housing by providing accounting support to its internal stakeholders. The Accounts Payable Specialist will collaborate with other departments, providing financial expertise and support during decision-making. Utilize accounting software and tools proficiently for data entry, analysis, and reporting. Responsibilities include participating in accounts payables, accounts receivables, cash application, month-end close, and other assigned projects. The Accounts Payable Specialist is expected to provide a higher level of expertise and experience, contributing significantly to the strategic value, and developing methodologies to enhance the efficiency of the finance team.
The omission of specific statements regarding duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment in association with this position.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- None
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Ensure the efficient operation of the Accounts Payable and other accounting duties.
- Verify the accuracy of vendor invoices and general ledger account codes. Obtain appropriate invoice approvals and enter them accurately into Yardi or Real Page with proper cost allocations.
- Keep management informed of daily operations, promptly communicate any issues or challenges along with proposed solutions, and coordinate with external vendors and internal managers on all aspects of the accounts payable process.
- Reconcile vendor statements to account for all invoices and credits and research information to deliver accurate and timely solutions to internal clients and vendors.
- Collect and maintain IRS W9 information to ensure compliance with IRS regulations and assist with year-end 1099 processing by verifying all payments made during the applicable year.
- Contribute to preparing annual budgets and supporting the affordable housing process for RFPs and related activities. Contribute to preparing documents for external yearly audits, HUD inspections, and unscheduled audits, including year-end audit work papers and reconciliations.
- Assist in conducting monthly budget-to-actual variance analysis by collaborating with key business and departmental leaders to identify root causes of significant variances. Develop, implement, and monitor corrective action plans to ensure adherence to Board- and/or Under-approved budgets.
- Prepare monthly journal entries and perform accounting tasks for month-end closing, including bank account and general ledger reconciliations, analyses, and submission of positive pay files to the bank for issued checks.
- Perform other assignments as requested by the Consulting Chief Financial Officer and/or Interim Finance Director.
Required Skills/Abilities:
- Expert in data analysis and proficiency in all Microsoft Office applications, with advanced Excel skills highly desired and demonstrates exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey information concisely to diverse audiences, including senior management and external stakeholders.
- Possess strong organizational skills and acute attention to detail, along with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting tight deadlines, especially during accounting closes, audit periods, and other critical times.
- The ability to identify issues and develop long-term solutions, excellent judgment, and problem-solving abilities, and collaborate effectively with diverse internal and external customers. A solid understanding of payroll and general ledger interfaces, internal controls, and compliance is essential.
- Additionally, exhibit self-motivation, independence, and a commitment to maintaining customer confidentiality while demonstrating continuous learning, initiative, innovation, resourcefulness, and critical thinking.
Education and Experience:
- High school diploma or equivalent. Some college courses in accounting/bookkeeping or equivalent coursework. An associate’s Degree is preferred.
- Minimum 5 years of accounting experience in a position with similar duties preferred.
- Not-For-Profit Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivables experience is highly desired.
- Knowledge of HUD Procurement and Contracting policies and procedures and principles of budget
- Experience with property management software desired (Yardi, RealPage, AppFolio).
Physical Requirements:
The Accounts Payable Specialist will primarily work within the office environment but may also engage in occasional physical tasks such as bending, reaching, sitting, and walking during the workday. This role may require lifting items weighing at least 20 pounds. Moreover, the individual will also spend extended periods each day working on a personal computer. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable persons with physical disabilities to perform the job.
County Housing celebrates difference. All employment, including hiring, promoting, discipline or discharge at County Housing is based solely on a person’s merit and qualifications related to professional competence. We do not discriminate against our employees or applicants because of race, creed, color, religion, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, medical condition veteran status, ethnicity, marital or family status or other legally protected status.
County Housing is an
equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer.
County Housing is an
equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer.