Accounts Payable Supervisor - Legal Payments - Finance Department

The Finance Department is seeking a fulltime Accounts Payable Supervisor to assist the review reconciliation payment and reporting of agency obligations.

We fight for equal justice and human dignity by supporting our clients in achieving their legal and life goals. We zealously advocate for the rights of individuals and promote just public policy to protect the rights of all.

Our Values

Courage Accountability Respect Excellence

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENT

CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of our assigned clients through zealous advocacy communityoriented defense and the fullness of excellent legal representation. We are dedicated to building and maintaining strong professional relationships while striving to accept listen to and respect the diverse circumstances of each client as we dedicate ourselves to meeting their individual needs. It is our CPCS mission to achieve these goals and in furtherance thereof we embrace and endorse diversity equityand inclusion as our core values as we maintain a steadfast commitment to: 1 Ensure that CPCS management and staff members represent a broad range of human differences and experience; 2 Provide a work climate that is respectful and supports success; and 3 Promote the dignity and wellbeing of all staff members. CPCS leadership is responsible for ensuring equity diversity and inclusion. The ability to achieve these goals with any level of certainty is ultimately the responsibility of each member of the CPCS community.

AGENCY OVERVIEW

CPCSis the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing an attorney when the state or federal constitution or a state statute requires the appointment of an attorney for a person who cannot afford to retain one. The agency provides representation in criminal delinquency youthful offender family regulation guardianship mental health sexually dangerous person and sex offender registry cases as well as in appeals and postconviction and postjudgment proceedings related to those matters.

The clients we represent are diverse across every context imaginable and bring many unique cultural dimensions to the matters we address. This reality creates a critical need for CPCS staff to be culturally competent and able to work well with people of different races ethnicities genders and/or sexual orientation identities abilities and limited English proficiency among other protected characteristics.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The CPCS Finance Department is responsible for all financial functions within the agency. These include but are not limited to: Budget Accounting Procurement Accounts Payable Payroll Data Security Internal Control Compliance Audit & Oversight Conformity Fixed Assets Federal Grants Records Management and Facilities.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Accounts Payable Supervisor is responsible for assisting in the planning directing and managing the agencys accounts payable processes for agency services legal services and court related services including court experts. The Accounts Payable Supervisor will supervise the daily management of the accounts payable staff who focus on payments to Attorneys who represent CPCS clients.

This position will ensure compliance with the relevant requirements and guidelines of the office of the State Comptroller the Operational Services Division (OSD) Administration and Finance and the Committee for Public Counsel Services.

This position reports to the Accounting Manager.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelors degree in Business Administration Accounting Finance or similar field or an equivalent combination of relevant education training and experience;
• Five years of experience in accounting and/or accounts payable experience and one year of experience managing/supervising an Accounting Unit; and
• Access to a personal computer with home internet access sufficient to work remotely.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

• Proficiency with the state accounting system (MMARS) including reconciling accounts and managing accounts payable or similar accounting systems;
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office 2010 with a strong emphasis on Excel Access and Outlook;
• Two or more years of supervising or mentoring experience;
• Experience with implementation of new billing/platform systems;
• Ability to proactively identify solutions for process improvements and ability to implement effective solutions;
• Ability to create analyze and interpret financial information and scenarios;
• Knowledge and understanding of state finance law as well as payment and procurement regulations;
• Good communication skills; and
• Ability to work independently and as part of a group.

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL ATTRIBUTES

This person will possess personal and professional integrity strong communication skills and strong analytical and decisionmaking skills.

The individual must possess strong leadership and managerial skills strong interpersonal skills high energy level and a positive outlook.

This person must believe in strong customer service and always act with professionalism and responsiveness.

The individual who will succeed in this role can best be described as:

• motivated; you thrive in feeling accomplished without gloating or getting an ego;
• a stickler for accuracy; your attention to detail is critical for success and the success of the Agency mission;
• a believer in customer service; you understand that even difficult conversations should end with a smile and/or pleasantries and that responsiveness is a key component of great customer service;
• consistent across many communication mediums; whether it be over the phone text or email you provide superior support for whomever needs it;
• a tech enthusiast; you recognize that technology can improve processes and love to learn how technology can improve existing processes;
• a team player; no matter your peers education or experience you treat them as your equal;
• patient; you welcome differences and you understand that sometimes you are limited in what you can improve upon or change but you continue to look for opportunities to improve existing processes; and
• a believer; that our clients and staff are why we come to work every day and that nearly anything can be accomplished with dedication patience and hard work.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities and duties include but are not limited to:

• Supervising the agencys accounts payable processes for all bills related to agency services;
• Providing regular supervision of Accounts Payable staff including ensuring that annual performance evaluations are completed in a timely and comprehensive manner and identifying training needs of staff and providing any necessary training;
• Monitoring the timely completion of payments the application of payments and processing verifying and reconciling invoices;
• Reviewing weekly vendor payment reports for accuracy and routine scanning of documentation for audit compliance;
• Assisting the Accounting Manager by working with the Accounting Unit to ensure that funds are properly committed/encumbered during the fiscal year and that funds are reallocated/obligated as needed;
• Communicating with vendors on billing issues as well as providing technical assistance to vendors and CPCS employees to ensure superior customer service and compliance with agency rules and regulations;
• Participating in the development and implementation of agency accounts payable policies and procedures including the CPCS Internal Control Policy;
• Supporting ongoing department initiatives which include moving to paperless cross training standardized/routine reporting and performance management;
• Assisting in resolving all issues that concern the unit during the fiscal year including the opening and closing of the state accounting system MMARS and other agency payment systems;
• Preparing and disseminating information internally regarding payment statuses and processes; maintaining related electronic and hardcopy files; and
• Other duties as assigned.

EEO Statement

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race color national origin ethnicity sex disability religion age veteran or military status genetic information gender identity or sexual orientation as required by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and other applicable federal and state statutes and organizational policies. Applicants who have questions about equal employment opportunity or who need reasonable accommodations can contact the Chief Human Resources Officer Sandra DeBowHuang at