AP Lead Accountant

Jennie Joiner with The Forum Group PNW is partnering with a growing organization in the construction and power infrastructure industry to recruit an experienced AP Lead Accountant. This is a newly elevated position created as the organization continues to grow and enhance its accounting operations. This is not simply an invoice-processing position. Our client is looking for an experienced AP professional who can manage day-to-day accounts payable responsibilities while also helping improve, streamline, and modernize AP processes across two affiliated companies. The two businesses currently operate with different AP workflows and systems, including a combination of manual and digital processes. A major focus of this position will be partnering with finance leadership and operational teams to help bring greater consistency, efficiency, and scalability to the AP function. This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys being hands-on but also wants to have a voice in how the work gets done.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Take a lead role in the day-to-day accounts payable function, including processing and managing a meaningful volume of invoices and payments.
• Serve as the primary AP resource for one of the affiliated companies while helping support AP improvements across both organizations.
• Review invoices for appropriate documentation, coding, approvals, and accuracy prior to payment.
• Work closely with project managers and operational teams to obtain coding, approvals, and supporting documentation.
• Assist with multi-state AP requirements, sales/use tax matters, and 1099 processing and reporting.
• Help evaluate current AP workflows and identify opportunities to reduce manual processes, improve accuracy, and create more efficient digital workflows.
• Partner with finance leadership to help standardize AP practices across two companies that currently process payables differently.
• Help develop procedures and controls that can scale as the organization grows and additional companies or users are added.
• Support and potentially provide day-to-day guidance to another AP team member.
• Assist with training and implementation of new AP processes and technology as needed.
• Build strong working relationships across accounting, project management, operations, and leadership.

What We’re Looking For

The ideal candidate will bring 8–10 years of strong accounts payable/accounting experience and be comfortable taking ownership of a function rather than simply processing transactions. Multi-state experience and hands-on knowledge of sales/use tax and 1099s are important for this position. A degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field is preferred, but our client is open to considering equivalent hands-on experience. Experience within construction, utilities, contracting, project-based accounting, or another multi-entity/multi-location environment would be especially helpful. Experience with Foundation construction accounting software, Procore, QuickBooks, or similar ERP/accounting systems is also valuable. Most importantly, this person needs to be tech savvy, detail-oriented, process-minded, and comfortable walking into an environment where there is an opportunity to make things better. They should enjoy asking questions, learning how the business operates, and finding practical ways to improve processes without losing sight of accuracy and controls.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

Our client is growing and investing in its finance and accounting infrastructure rather than continuing to run lean. Leadership wants this individual to have the opportunity to learn the business, understand why processes work the way they do today, and then help improve them.

The culture is collaborative and approachable. Leadership encourages questions, provides feedback, and does not believe success should be measured simply by how many invoices someone processes in a day. Quality, accuracy, attention to detail, and continuous improvement matter more than hitting an arbitrary transaction count. There is also meaningful room for professional growth. As the organization continues to expand, this individual could have the opportunity to take on additional responsibilities, help integrate future businesses, and train others on newly established AP processes.

Position Details

• This position can be based at any one of four locations: Quincy, WA; Umatilla, OR; Roseburg, OR; or Central Point, OR.
• The schedule is generally Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with some flexibility. The preference is for this individual to work onsite, particularly while learning the organization and helping develop new processes, although some hybrid flexibility may be considered for the right person.
• Benefits currently include medical, dental, and vision coverage, with the company paying 100% of the employee premium and 50% of eligible dependent/spouse coverage; a 401(k) with company match; paid vacation and sick time; and seven paid holidays.

If you are an experienced AP professional who enjoys being hands-on but also likes asking “How can we make this process better?”, this could be a great opportunity to have a real impact within a growing organization.

Reach out to Jennie Joiner directly with The Forum Group PNW to learn more or to be considered for this opportunity.