Accounts Payable Specialist
Department: Finance
Reports to: Controller
Employment Status: Full-time FLSA
Classification: Non-Exempt
Position Summary
The Accounts Payable Specialist supports the financial operations of Veterans Village of San Diego (VVSD) by receiving,
reviewing, coding, recording, and coordinating payment of invoices, purchase orders, employee reimbursements, and related
obligations. The position maintains accurate and complete accounts payable records across VVSD programs and funding
sources, helps ensure expenditures are properly authorized and allowable under applicable grant requirements, and supports
timely financial reporting and audit readiness. The Specialist works closely with the Controller, Finance team, program
managers, and vendors while observing established approval procedures and internal controls.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Invoice Intake, Review, and Accounting
• Monitor incoming accounts payable email and physical mail; receive, organize, and track invoices, purchase orders,
receipts, and reimbursement requests.
• Review invoices for accuracy, completeness, proper authorization, and required supporting documents; follow up with
program staff and managers to obtain missing information or approvals.
• Verify vendor details, invoice dates, amounts, and appropriate general ledger, program, grant, and cost allocation codes
before processing.
• Assess expense coding against VVSD procurement and cost policies and applicable grant restrictions; identify
questionable, unsupported, or potentially unallowable costs and escalate them for review.
• Enter and post approved invoices accurately and in the appropriate accounting period, maintaining safeguards against
duplicate entries and payments.
• Prepare supporting journal entry documentation and submit entries or corrections to the Controller for required review and
approval.
Payment Processing and Vendor Relations
• Prepare and process authorized weekly vendor payments by check, ACH, or purchasing card in accordance with VVSD
policies and approval requirements.
• Maintain accurate vendor master records, payment histories, check registers, voided-check registers, and related
supporting documentation.
• Respond promptly and professionally to vendor, employee, contractor, and program inquiries; research invoice and
payment discrepancies and communicate status accurately.
• Track outstanding invoices and past-due vendor balances; elevate payment issues, missing approvals, and time-sensitive
matters to the Controller.
• Document completed disbursements and update payment status in the accounting system and electronic files to prevent
duplicate payments.
Reconciliations, Close, and Financial Support
• Reconcile purchasing card and credit card statements to receipts, approvals, and general ledger entries; research and
resolve variances.
• Review accounts payable transactions, aging, open items, and coding for accuracy; prepare necessary corrections for
approval.
• Maintain and update accounts payable expense allocations across programs and grants in coordination with Finance and
program management.
• Assist with month-end and year-end closing activities, including invoice cutoffs, reconciliations, and documentation of
outstanding liabilities.
Compliance, Records, and Audit Support
• Support annual vendor tax reporting, including gathering required vendor information and assisting with the preparation
and processing of Forms 1099.
• Maintain orderly, secure, and retrievable electronic vendor files; scan, name, and file invoices, approvals, payment
records, and supporting documentation using VVSD procedures.
• Apply VVSD Finance, Procurement, Cost Allocation, and records retention procedures to accounts payable activities.
• Provide accurate and timely documentation to support grant reimbursement, financial audits, and management review.
• Protect confidential financial and vendor information and follow internal controls, including separation of invoice
processing and payment authorization responsibilities.
• Identify recurring processing issues and recommend practical improvements to invoice tracking, workflow efficiency, and
recordkeeping.
Administrative and Operational Support
• Retrieve business mail from the Main Campus as assigned and route financial documents for prompt processing.
• Provide administrative support for approved equipment and supply purchases and help maintain an organized supply
storeroom and monthly inventory records.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Controller consistent with the needs of the Finance department.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience
• High school diploma or equivalent required; college-level accounting coursework or equivalent relevant work experience
required.
• 3 or more years of experience performing accounts payable or related accounting duties; nonprofit or grant-funded
accounting experience preferred.
Technical Knowledge and Skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and Outlook; familiarity with MIP Cloud and other
accounting software preferred.
• Working knowledge of invoice processing, general ledger coding, reconciliations, and financial recordkeeping.
• Ability to use a ten-key calculator accurately and efficiently.
Professional Competencies
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, organization, and ability to manage competing deadlines.
• Professional, respectful communication and effective collaboration with staff, management, vendors, and external
partners.
• Ability to work independently with appropriate oversight, exercise good judgment, resolve routine discrepancies, and
escalate issues promptly.
• Commitment to confidentiality, ethical conduct, accountability, and VVSD's mission of serving veterans.
Other Requirements
• Reliable transportation for assigned work responsibilities; if operating a vehicle on VVSD business, a valid driver's license
and proof of required automobile insurance.
• Ability to meet applicable bondability requirements for the position.
Physical and Work Environment Requirements
This position typically requires prolonged periods of computer use; operation of a keyboard and standard office equipment;
reading and reviewing financial documents; verbal and written communication; and occasional bending, reaching, or lifting of
light office materials. Work may occur in a busy office environment. VVSD will consider reasonable accommodations for
qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of the position
