Accounts Payable Manager

Youth Enrichment Brands (YEB) is the nation’s leading youth activities platform, offering best-in-class camps, classes, leagues, and lessons for over one million kids each year. The YEB mission is to help as many kids as possible discover and develop their passion while building critical skills for life.

YEB encompasses i9 Sports (the nation’s largest youth sports league franchisor), School of Rock (the most revolutionary music education school in the world), Streamline Brands (the leading franchisor of swim school concepts), US Sports Camps (the official provider of Nike Camps), and more premier youth activity brands. Please visit www.yeb.com to learn more.

The role

YEB is looking for a highly-motivated, experienced Accounts Payable (AP) Manager. As the right-hand to the Functional Controller for Accounts Payable, this will be a highly visible position within the YEB accounting shared service organization with interactions across various departments and the opportunity to make a significant impact. This role will own the accounts payable processes from invoice receipt, through approval, to payment for the entire YEB Group. Primary responsibilities will also encompass the leadership and supervision of a team of on- and off-shore skilled AP professionals as well as the close collaboration with cross-functional business unit (BU) operational teams to ensure invoices are coded correctly, paid timely and that various vendor relationships are sustained and built in a professional manner. To be successful in this role, the AP Manager should possess the ability to conduct and oversee a wide variety of AP processes and projects as well as professionally team with multiple stakeholders and business partners. An ideal candidate would not only be a self-starter who is driven to learn and add value quickly but also should be savvy in Excel, have excellent organizational, analytical, interpersonal skills, and the ability to create and maintain a team-oriented environment. This position will play a crucial role in maintaining the effective functioning of our financial operations across multiple subsidiaries, aligning with established protocols and internal standards as well as reviewing and analyzing current processes for potential improvements. This role is for a self-motivated, reliable individual, who, by ensuring financial integrity and promoting financial transparency, will contribute to the rapid growth and success of the company.

Key Responsibilities

• Apply a broad knowledge of accounts payable methods and procedures. Review, evaluate, and implement enhanced accounts payable systems, policies, and procedures.
• Drive continuous improvement and standardization in the procure to pay workstream by leading projects to implement automation and improve processes with the goal of achieving better productivity and efficiency.
• Develop, maintain, and report key performance indicators and metrics related to accounts payable workstreams.
• Oversee the full accounts payable cycle, including vendor onboarding, invoice verification, coding, and data entry, ensuring compliance with company policies and procedures, and approving payments.
• Lead and supervise a team of accounts payable professionals, offering guidance, training, and support to ensure the timely and accurate processing of invoices, payments, and reconciliations. Manage the resolution of issues escalated from team members.
• Ensure invoices are recorded at the correct companies/subsidiaries.
• Arrange for and execute intercompany expense allocations as needed.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with vendors and other stakeholders. Resolve payment discrepancies promptly and professionally.
• Manage the payment process, which includes scheduling payments, scrutinizing payment runs, and optimizing cash flow management.
• Prepare and analyze expense reports, meticulously track and report expenditures, as well as contribute to budgeting process.
• Generate reports and provide financial data and insights to management about the organization’s expenses to support decision-making.
• Coordinate month-end and year-end closing activities related to accounts payable, including accruals, reconciliations, and journal entries.
• Ensure compliance with tax regulations (including 1099 filings), vendor agreements, and internal controls.
• Keep a constant and diligent eye focused on preventing, identifying and mitigating accounts payable related fraud.
• Ensure adherence to internal controls and financial policies across the organization, mitigating financial risks and maintaining compliance with relevant regulations.
• Coordinate and provide required information and support to external auditors for the annual audit.
• Perform other ad hoc accounting duties or projects as needed.
• Protect organization's value by keeping information confidential.

Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) in Accounting, Finance or equivalent required. A master’s degree and/or CPA or CMA certification are welcomed.
• 8 years of relevant experience with a minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience over a staff of 3 or more.
• Preference given to candidates with operational accounting experience in companies with $50M-$100M in Revenue.
• Proven ability to build effective relationships, influence decision-making and work with all levels across the organization.
• Strong and proven organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills; able to manage priorities and workflow. Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work within constantly changing priorities with enthusiasm.
• Commitment to excellence and high standards.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-starter and able to work independently with minimal direction and within a remote/hybrid environment.
• Proficient in MS Office, advanced user of Excel.
• Experience with NetSuite highly desired; experience with Ramp, Tipalti, and Power-BI are a significant plus.
• Experience in franchise business welcomed.

Personal Characteristics

• Analytical--Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures to improve efficiency.
• Problem-Solving--Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem-solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Teamwork--Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Business Acumen--Understands business implications of decisions; Displays orientation to profitability; Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; Aligns work with strategic goals.
• Cost Consciousness--Develops and implements cost-saving measures; Contributes to profits and revenue; Conserves organizational resources.
• Diversity--Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce.
• Project Management--Develops project plans/action steps; Coordinates projects tasks and timelines; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities (as appropriate).

#indspo