Accounts Payable Travel & Expense Manager

Michael Baker International · Greenville

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What We’re Looking For:
Michael Baker International is seeking an experienced Accounts Payable & Travel & Expense (AP/T&E) Manager to join our Shared Services team. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Shared Services, this position will lead the company’s accounts payable and travel and expense operations, ensuring timely, accurate, compliant, and customer-focused service delivery across the organization.

The AP/T&E Manager will oversee daily operations, manage and develop team members, strengthen internal controls, support process improvements, and partner closely with Finance, Accounting, Procurement, Project Teams, and other internal stakeholders.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with strong technical AP and T&E knowledge, excellent communication and problem-solving skills, and a continuous improvement mindset.

What You’ll Do:
Leadership and Team Management

• Lead, coach, and develop AP and T&E team members within the Shared Services organization.
• Manage team workloads, priorities, performance expectations, training, and professional development.
• Foster a service-oriented culture focused on accuracy, responsiveness, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as an escalation point for complex AP, vendor, employee reimbursement, and policy-related matters.

Accounts Payable Operations

• Oversee end-to-end accounts payable processes, including invoice intake, coding, approvals, payment processing, vendor maintenance, and issue resolution.
• Ensure vendor invoices are processed accurately and on time in accordance with company policies, approval requirements, and contractual terms.
• Monitor AP aging, payment timing, exception queues, and unresolved items.
• Partner with Procurement, Accounting, Project Accounting, and business units to resolve invoice discrepancies and improve workflow efficiency.
• Support month-end and year-end close activities, including accruals, reconciliations, reporting, and audit support.
• Oversee vendor tax documentation and annual reporting support, including Form 1099 processes, as applicable.

Travel and Expense Management

• Manage the travel and expense reimbursement process, including expense report reviews, approvals, audit controls, and reimbursement timing.
• Ensure employee expense submissions comply with company travel and expense policies.
• Provide guidance to employees and managers regarding T&E policies, required documentation, and system use.
• Identify trends, exceptions, and opportunities to improve policy compliance and the employee experience.
• Support the administration and optimization of T&E systems and related workflows.

Controls, Compliance, and Reporting

• Maintain and strengthen internal controls related to AP and T&E activities.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, accounting requirements, audit standards, and applicable tax regulations.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, desk procedures, and training materials.
• Prepare and analyze operational metrics, including invoice cycle time, payment timeliness, expense report turnaround time, exception rates, and team productivity.
• Provide regular updates to the Vice President of Shared Services regarding operational performance, risks, improvement opportunities, and key initiatives.

Process Improvement and Systems

• Identify, recommend, and implement process improvements that increase efficiency, accuracy, transparency, and scalability.
• Support automation initiatives, workflow enhancements, system upgrades, and Shared Services transformation efforts.
• Partner with IT, Finance, Procurement, and other stakeholders to improve systems, reporting, data quality, and user experience.
• Promote best practices, consistency, and standardization across AP and T&E processes.

Stakeholder and Vendor Relationship Management

• Build effective working relationships with internal customers, vendors, employees, and business leaders.
• Ensure the timely and professional resolution of vendor inquiries, payment issues, and employee reimbursement questions.
• Communicate clearly and proactively regarding process changes, policy updates, deadlines, and service expectations.

What You Need to Succeed:
Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• At least 3 years of progressive experience in accounts payable, travel and expense, finance operations, or Shared Services.
• At least 2 years of supervisory, team lead, or management experience.
• Strong knowledge of accounts payable processes, expense reimbursement controls, vendor management, accruals, reconciliations, and month-end close support.
• Experience working with ERP, AP workflow, and/or T&E systems.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial reporting tools.
• Demonstrated ability to manage deadlines, competing priorities, and high-volume transaction environments.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and customer service skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a Shared Services environment.
• Experience within professional services, engineering, architecture, construction, consulting, or another project-based organization.
• Familiarity with project accounting environments.
• Experience with AP automation, invoice workflow tools, and T&E platforms such as Concur, Chrome River, or similar systems.
• Experience supporting process transformation, system implementations, or operational standardization initiatives.
• Knowledge of Form 1099 reporting and vendor tax documentation requirements.
• CPA, CMA, or another relevant professional certification is a plus but is not required.

Compensation:
The approximate compensation range for this position is $100,000 - $110,000 per year. This compensation range is a good-faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation is dependent upon factors such as education, qualifications, experience, skill set, and physical work location. 
 

Why Choose Us:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Life, AD&D, short-term, and long-term disability insurance
• Professional and personal development opportunities
• Generous paid time off
• Commuter and wellness benefits

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