LGS Accounts Payable Specialist

Manages the accounts payable function for Lions Gift of Sight, ensuring accurate and timely processing of invoices, purchasing, and tracking expenses.

Key Responsibilities:

45% Accounts Payable:

• Process invoices accurately and efficiently, ensuring proper funding and approvals as required and in accordance with University of Minnesota (UMN) policies.
• Create blanket Purchase Orders annually with proper documentation that accurately reflect forecasted purchasing volumes for the Fiscal Year.
• Proactively follow up with suppliers to ensure accounts remain current and resolve any payment discrepancies or issues.
• Investigate and resolve vendor queries in a timely manner, maintaining positive relationships with suppliers.
• Process check refunds as needed for deposit with UMN Finance.
• Collaborate with LGS Supply & Inventory Coordinator, and LGS Allocation to anticipate significant fluctuations in spending.
• Verify monthly invoice to Minnesota Lions Vision Foundation with EFS data and post expenses to QuickBooks.
• Together with LGS Administrative Manager, forecast and report monthly expenses, providing accurate and comprehensive financial data.

40% Purchasing:

• Monitor and complete purchase requests from LGS Purchasing form, including check requests as needed.
• Business Unit expert on UMN purchasing methods and requirements.
• Organize, track, and monitor LGS purchasing activities including active follow up and communication with requesters.
• Act as a Purchasing Card (PCard) holder, overseeing assigned transactions and ensuring compliance with policies and guidelines.
• Facilitate necessary security reviews for software purchases. Maintain a tracking system for LGS software security reviews to ensure compliance with UMN policy.
• Facilitate Legal reviews with the Office of the General Counsel for purchases, as required.
• Set up and maintain suppliers in the Enterprise Financial System (EFS).
• Understand, and reference, the University of Minnesota purchasing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance at all times.

15% Other Administrative:

• Central point of contact and account admin for administrative accounts including FedEx, Verizon, Iron Mountain, Loffler, etc.
• Develop and maintain a proficient knowledge of eye banking operations to facilitate management of cross-functional financial responsibilities.
• Create, update, and maintain LGS AP operations manual, ensuring accuracy and reflecting changes and improvements as needed.
• Backup for onsite administrative functions as required.
• Act as backup for invoicing and accounts receivable operations as needed.
• Respond to supervisor feedback and meet established expectations.
• Remain current on all required training and submit documentation to Quality Systems in a timely manner.
• Represent the administrative team on internal committees as needed, actively participate in meetings and provide input.

Anticipated Starting Salary: $24.28hr to $27.74hr depending upon qualifications and experience.

Qualifications

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma/GED and four years of general accounts transaction experience. Training may be substituted for some of the years of experience.
• Strong organizational skills; able to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Excellent and proactive communication skills to work collaboratively with internal teams and external vendors, fostering strong relationships.
• Utilize available resources to ensure efficient and accurate accounts payable processes.
• Ability to understand the broader financial implications of accounts payable processes, connecting them to overall business objectives.
• Proficient in using Google Suite, including, Email, Calendars, Chat, and particularly Google Sheets for data analysis and reporting.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, displaying a high level of professionalism, integrity and follow through.
• Demonstrated ability to write clear, complete and concise purchasing justifications.
• Excellent organization skills and attention to detail, with the ability to accurately process a high volume of invoices and payments.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven experience in accounts payable or a similar financial role, demonstrating strong knowledge of accounts payable principles, practices, and procedures.
• Proficiency in financial software and systems, including experience with EFS, QuickBooks, and purchasing card systems.
• Knowledge of University of Minnesota purchasing policies and procedures.

About the Department

The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences and its success is built upon the innovation and drive of every member of our team, from faculty to administrators to technicians. Put simply, all of us are driven to provide the best eye care for our patients, discover new treatments, and educate the next generation of eye care professionals.

For more information, please visit our website at https://med.umn.edu/Ophthalmology

Lions Gift of Sight (formerly Minnesota Lions Eye Bank) was established after the partnership between the Lions and the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Neurosciences came to life in 1960, providing donor eye tissue for transplant, research, and teaching and promoting donation through education. Lions Gift of Sight has helped restore sight to more than 22,000 people by providing cornea tissue for transplantation and is one of the largest and most successful eye banks in the world.

For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.lionsgiftofsight.org/

Benefits

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you'll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, pharmacy, disability plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).