Manager, Accounts Payable

General

The Manager of Accounts Payable (AP) oversees the accounts payable functions and reports to the Director of Accounting. This position performs a variety of financial activities for the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans), the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (JPB), the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA), and the San Mateo County Express Lanes - Joint Powers Authority (SMCEL-JPA).

Essential Functions & Duties

Examples of Essential Functions:

• AP Management & Modernization: Oversee and modernize the full-cycle accounts payable function for SamTrans, JPB, TA, and JPA, prioritizing the transition from manual processing to digital, automated environments to align with agency efficiency goals.
• Regulatory & Financial Compliance: Lead internal processes and financial reporting to ensure compliance with GAAP, GASB, and all applicable federal, state, and local requirements, including IRS 1099 and CDTFA submissions.
• Automation & Digital Transformation: Lead the implementation of AP automation technologies—such as automated invoice routing and OCR (Optical Character Recognition)—to eliminate manual data entry and streamline the end-to-end approval lifecycle.
• Data-Driven Reporting: Oversee the preparation of comprehensive financial statements and updates—such as cash flow analysis and AP aging reports—leveraging data visualization to provide actionable insights to management.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Act as a key liaison between Finance and external stakeholders, collaborating with Treasury, FP&A, and regulatory agencies to optimize forecasting and audit outcomes.
• Audit Leadership: Coordinate and lead external and internal audits by providing precise documentation, responding to inquiries, and ensuring all reporting deadlines are met.
• Process Optimization: Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) that integrate technology to streamline invoice approval, expense reimbursements, and capital asset tracking.
• Talent Leadership & Culture: Build a high-performance team by hiring, mentoring, and identifying professional development opportunities to foster staff growth and departmental excellence. Take appropriate corrective and/or disciplinary action. Ensure EEO and affirmative action policies and procedures are followed. Coordinate staff training, establish performance objectives, monitor and evaluate employee performance.

Examples of Essential Duties:

• Manage general ledger (GL) account analysis and ensure compliancewithapplicablefinancialstandardsandreportingrequirements.
• Oversee accounts payable operations, ensuring timely vendor payments, compliance with IRS 1099 requirements, and maintaining accurate accounts payable aging reports.
• Coordinate audits by providing documentation, responding to inquiries, and ensuring timely completion.
• Collaborate with Treasury and FP&A as a key stakeholder in forecasting and cash flow analysis for assigned areas.
• Collaborate with IT and Finance stakeholders to maintain and update the ERP systems for optimal AP performance and reporting accuracy.
• Manage vendor outreach initiatives to increase ACH adoption and ensure secure, efficient electronic fund transfers in compliance with internal controls.
• Review and approve invoices, check requests, and expense reimbursements for accuracy and adherence to policies.
• Review and identify accounts payable transactions as related to capital assets purchase and collaborate with capital assets team for capitalization process.
• Evaluate and update departmental procedures to improve efficiency, compliance, and alignment with organizational goals.
• Respond to requests and inquiries from regulatory agencies, partner agencies, and external auditors. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Evaluate job performance of staff which also includes the professional development of staff through the identification of on-the-job and other professional development opportunities.
• Perform all job duties and responsibilities in a safe manner to protect oneself, follow employees, and the public from injury or harm. Promote safety awareness and follow safety procedures to reduce or eliminate accidents.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Sufficient experience, training and/or education to demonstrate the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. In lieu of a degree, work-related experience that demonstrates the skills and experience necessary to perform this role will be accepted. Development of the required knowledge and abilities is typically obtained through but not limited to:

• A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, economics, construction management, or a directly related field.
• Five (5) years of full-time, progressive experience in full-cycle accounts payable operations demonstrating advanced knowledge of financial standards.
• Three (3) years full-time experience managing staff's performance and development.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite.
• Hands-on experience with PowerBI or similar data visualization software to drive departmental metrics.
• Direct experience with large-scale ERP databases; specific experience with PeopleSoft is highly desirable.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills for effective reporting and liaison activities.

Below is a summary of the comprehensive benefits provided to District full-time employees:

Health and Welfare Benefits:

• Healthcare Benefits -District employees are offered a choice of healthcare providers under the CalPERS Health Benefits Program.The District will contribute ninety (90) percent towards monthly premiums for full-time employees. Fifty (50) percent for part-time employees.
  
• Free Dental and Vision Benefits provided - Employer Covers Premiums
  
• Free Employee Assistance Benefit - Employees are entitled to 5 face-to-face sessions or telephonic or web-video consultations for problem-solving support per incident, per calendar year.
  

• Flexible Spending Accounts - Pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified Health or Dependent Care expenses.
  

Retirement Medical Benefits:

• Long Term Disability Insurance - After 90 days of total disability, Administrative full-time employees are eligible for 60% of monthly income covered by the District.
  
• Health and Wellness - Gyms located at most work locations and discounted Weight Watcher Membership Option.
  

Holidays and Paid Time Off:

• Paid Time Off - Newly hired employees accrue 6.5 hours bi-weekly when hired (if Exempt 8.25 hours).As you move up in years of service credit, the rate of the amount of PTO accrued will also increase.
  
• Paid Holidays - The District provides seven paid holidays throughout the year - New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day (July 4th), Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
  
• Floating Holidays - District employees can earn up to five (5) floating holidays.
  

Financial Planning Benefits:

• Pension Benefits through CalPERS -You must have a minimum of 5 years of service to be eligible for this pension.
  

• CalPERS PEPRA vs. Classic - All employees hired on, or after January 1, 2013, are considered PEPRA members and will contribute 8% of their salary up to the maximum IRS cut-off. All Classic members will contribute 6%
  
• Deferred Compensation Options - Select to contribute to one or both of our Tax Deferred Compensation Options
  
• Reliance Standard Life Insurance with 100% premium paid by the District - 1 times annual salary of employee - max $200,000
  
• Optional Life Insurance - Employees may purchase additional life insurance for themselves and their eligible family members.
  

Growth and Education Benefits:

• Professional Development - Access to LinkedIn Learning and San Mateo County’s professional training. District Tuition Reimbursement Program - A maximum of $5,250 per year for courses related to your job or career goals with the District.
  
• Computer Loan Program - Interest-free two-year loan with a maximum amount of $2,000.
  

Other Amazing Benefits:

• Credit Union - Employees and family members are eligible to join the San Mateo Credit Union and Patelco Credit Union.
  
• Employee Clean Commute (ECC) - Car/Van poolers and Public Transit riders receive a monthly reimbursement.
  
• Commuter Benefits - Free Employee Parking; Free Bus Pass for employee as well as children/spouse; Clipper Card/Go Pass Program for Central employees.
  

For union employees, all of the above benefits are subject to the employee’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. Benefits listed are also subject to change with or without notice and are subject to contract/provider terms and conditions.

Closing Date/Time: 4/19/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

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• San Mateo County Transit District

• 650-508-6308

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