Manager, Accounts Payable & Travel

The Manager of Accounts Payable and Travel manages all aspects of the university's travel program, including airfare, rental cars, and hotels and assisting with changes as necessary. The manager oversees the payment reimbursement process to employees and timely payment of obligations to vendors following all applicable UHD/UHS/state and federal policies

• Oversees the audit of incoming Travel Request documents, reviews, and processes executive card wire payments, reports taxable payments; makes travel arrangements and reservations as necessary for university faculty, staff, students, and administrators.
• Liaisons between UHD staff and vendors on complex payment issues; Investigates unusual issues that arise with Financial System and works with UHS as required; reviews payments as required for accounts payable and travel; communicates with Budget for payment review and Budget errors as needed
• Manages the travel card program for airfare, hotel and rental car reservations and ensures that each is paid in a timely manner and reconciled each month, directs departmental staff to ensure all travel payments to employees and vendors are audited and correct following all policies as required.
• Provides support, guidance, and instruction in compliance with UHD, UH System and State of Texas policy/procedures through training sessions, approves journal entries to correct expenditures related to accounts payable.
• Monitors, corrects and requests approval for payable transactions in USAS (Uniform Statewide Accounting System); Coordinates with the State Comptroller's Office and other state agencies as needed

• Performs all other duties as assigned

Direct Reports:

• Full Time Employees

Delegation of Work:

• Regularly assigns work to subordinate(s)

Supervision Given:

• Has primary responsibility for conducting performance evaluations and making recommendations for hiring and dismissing employees.

Required Education:

• Bachelor's degree required but may be substituted with years of experience

Required Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years of related job experience

License/Certification:

• None

• Experience in higher education.
• Experience with PeopleSoft Financials.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of trends, issues, and accepted practices relevant to the position
• Knowledge of the State of Texas procurement and expenditure laws and regulations

Skills:

• Excellent research skills;
• Good technical skills, including proficiency in MS Office and PeopleSoft;
• Good analytical and problem
  • solving skills; strong interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills.

Abilities:

• Ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse community

Primary Work Location:

• Works in an office environment.

Physical Demands:

• Work is performed in a typical, comfortable interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any unpleasant elements; individual has discretion in relation to walking, standing etc., and has minimal exposure to physical risks.

Commitment to Excellence - UHD

• Demonstrates a commitment to competently perform his/her job duties and responsibilities within established time frames.
• Continuously strives to improve work performance.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her commitments to the university.
• Contributes to the success of the university by consistently providing quality results in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.

Integrity

• Demonstrates high ethical standards of conduct in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her actions.
• Respects and complies with department and university policies, procedures, and work rules.

Respect and Cooperation

• Treats others with courtesy, respect, and dignity in the workplace.
• Promotes cooperation through open and honest communications and consideration of others ideas, thoughts, and opinions.

Dependability

• Takes responsibility to accomplish job assignments within reasonable deadlines.
• Willing to accept new projects and/or commitments.
• Does due diligence to complete projects within specified timeframes and/or fulfill commitments.
• Arrives to work on time prepared and ready to contribute.

Flexibility

• Willingly adjusts to changing work assignments or conditions.
• Open to changes in operational procedures, technology, and/or organizational structure.
• Views changes as opportunities for learning and professional development.
• Displays a positive attitude to encourage others.
• Promptly responds to changes in work priorities and/or unexpected circumstances or situations.

Proficiency

• Possesses required job skills and knowledge.
• Demonstrates the ability to apply those skills and knowledge to competently perform his/her job duties and assignments.

Focus on Customer Service

• Focuses on customer's needs and expectations. (Customers can be students, external constituents, employees, or university guests.)
• Respectfully ascertains customer's needs and determines appropriate response.
• Promptly responds by providing requested information, takes appropriate action, or refers customer to appropriate individual or department.
• If further actions need to be taken, advises customers of realistic timeframes for a response to their request.
• Follows up with customers on outstanding requests in a timely manner.
• Tactfully explains to customers why their needs and/or expectations cannot be met if the university does not provide the requested information or services.

Financial Management

• Manages assigned financial resources in compliance with federal, State, and university policies and procedures.
• Monitors expenditures to ensure they are authorized and within approved budget.
• Reports accurate and reliable data of financial transactions and resources.
• Promptly notifies management of budget issues and/or discrepancies.

Supervision

• Supervises the work of staff employees.
• Sets clear goals and expectations within reasonable timeframes.
• Motivates staff through constructive feedback, challenging assignments, and recognition of achievements.
• Provides mentorship and guidance by sharing expertise and best practices.
• Supports staff by providing essential resources, professional development opportunities, and open communication.
• Promptly addresses performance issues with appropriate measures and discretion.

Decision Making

• Demonstrates the ability to make informed decisions in a timely manner.
• Assimilates and/or secures relevant information to assess the risks and benefits of alternatives.
• Considers impact of decision in the long and short term.

Computer/Automated System Proficiency

• Proficient in the use of university applications or automated systems to perform job duties.
• Complies with related policies, procedures, and work rules to maintain system security and data integrity.

Instruction/Training

• Demonstrates the ability to orally convey subject or message clearly and concisely to the intended audience.
• Generates interest and enthusiasm in the subject or message from the participants.
• Responds to participants' reactions or comments, and adjusts delivery style and/or format of presentation as needed.
• Possesses a thorough understanding of the subject or topic to provide practical responses to questions or issues.
• Displays applicable visuals and provides appropriate written materials to support the presentation.

Student Success Indirect Support

• Contributes to student success by assisting students with anything that supports their student experience, whether directly or indirectly.
• Helps students navigate their way through the different offices, programs, and services at the university and/or connects students with the appropriate party(ies).
• Connects students with services or resources that can help them with career exploration, goal selection, and ongoing academic assistance.
• Helps students build peer support networks.
• Encourages student participation in out-of-class activities.
• Provides encouragement and guidance to foster student success.
• Treats students with respect
• Maintains the learning environment to ensure quality and/or sound pedagogy.