Accounts Payable and Tax Specialist

About the role

The Finance team at the East‑West Center is seeking an Accounts Payable and Tax Specialist to provide strategic guidance and manage critical financial functions, including vendor payments, reimbursements, and tax compliance. The role involves supervising staff, overseeing workflows, and partnering with internal and external stakeholders to ensure financial integrity and service excellence.

Key responsibilities

• Pre‑audit and approve payment documents, ensuring compliance with purchasing policies, travel regulations, and federal and state tax laws.
• Determine taxability of participant awards, manage tax withholding, reconcile tax reports, and prepare year‑end tax forms such as Form 1042‑S.
• Review and process participants’ health and medical insurance payments, cancellations, and related inquiries.
• Develop and maintain work methods, schedules, and vendor code listings for timely participant‑related expenditures.
• Assist with accounting system specifications, testing, implementation, and user training; perform encumbrance entries and pre‑audit approvals.
• Maintain up‑to‑date files, ledgers, and surveillance over aging encumbrances to prevent payment delinquencies.

Required profile

• High school diploma or equivalent with at least five years of full‑time experience in accounts payable, pre‑auditing, or related financial functions.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and maintain high accuracy while interpreting internal and external policies, handling confidential information, and communicating effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Required skills

• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including complex formulas and data manipulation.

What we offer

• Competitive starting salary of $57,231.55 per year.
• Comprehensive health insurance, generous retirement match, and paid time off.
• Opportunities for career growth and additional responsibilities within the organization.
• Supportive work environment that values open communication and collaboration.