Accounts Payable Lead

Job Summary

The Accounts Payable Team Lead serves as a trusted subject matter expert and operational leader, ensuring the efficient execution of AP processes while supporting a high-performing team. This role drives cross-functional collaboration, resolves complex issues, and champions automation and process optimization initiatives that improve accuracy, compliance, and scalability. The successful candidate is a critical thinker with strong oil & gas cost coding expertise and a passion for building efficient, scalable processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary resource for the AP team on day-to-day processing questions, policy interpretation, and issue resolution.
• Train and mentor AP staff; support onboarding of new team members by developing and maintaining training materials and reference guides.
• Review escalated invoices, discrepancies, and vendor disputes; coordinate resolution with the appropriate internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the AP Supervisor to identify skill gaps and growth opportunities within the team.
• Review, validate, and process a high volume of invoices related to oil and gas operations, ensuring adherence to company policies and contractual terms.
• Process payment runs (ACH, checks, and wires).
• Serve as backup for AP Accountant and AP Specialist processing functions during peak periods or absences.
• Support month-end close activities.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives and technology adoption, including AP automation, OCR tools, and AI.
• Ensure all AP transactions comply with company approval matrices, internal controls, and regulatory requirements.
• Support internal and external audits by providing documentation, schedules, and reconciliations, and responding to audit requests.

Required Qualifications

• 4+ years of accounts payable experience, including at least 1–2 years in a senior or above role.
• Understanding of AP workflows, invoice processing, and payment controls.
• Proficiency with ERP and invoice processing systems.
• Advanced Excel skills (VLOOKUPs, pivot tables).
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to collaborate cross functionally.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Familiarity with upstream, midstream, or oilfield services vendor management.
• Experience supporting AP during acquisitions, divestitures, or system migrations.
• Demonstrated ability to develop training materials and lead team process improvements.
• Problem solving and analytical thinking.
• Ability to thrive in a deadline driven environment.
• Strong customer service mindset