Accounts Payable Specialist

About the California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences is a globally renowned scientific and cultural institution located in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Home to a world-class planetarium, aquarium, research center, and natural history museum—all under one living roof—our mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration.

Our extensive collections span plants, animals, fossils, and cultural artifacts from across the globe and throughout history. We are a diverse team of leading biodiversity scientists, educators, storytellers, designers, and communicators who work collaboratively to advance knowledge and inspire action through science and storytelling.

When you join the California Academy of Sciences, you become part of a mission-driven community that values curiosity, collaboration, and innovation. Whether you're working behind the scenes in research or engaging the public on the museum floor, your work will help connect people to the natural world and empower them to protect it.

About the Opportunity:
The Accounts Payable Specialist reports to the Senior Accountant and supports the Accounts Payable and Procure to Pay processes, the corporate credit card program, and cash handling in addition to performing other duties as assigned by the Senior Accountant. The Accounts Payable Specialist will receive training to become a backup for Accounts Receivable and Payroll processing.

Organizational Culture:
Join a team dedicated to the Academy’s mission, vision and values! Currently, the Academy’s strategic plan includes three initiatives – Hope for Reefs, Thriving California, and Islands 2030 – that leverage biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement to regenerate fragile ecosystems around the world. Learn more at https://www.calacademy.org/about-us/major-initiatives.

We are committed to ensuring diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are intrinsic to Academy culture and operations, from recruitment and retention to science and advocacy. 

We hope you are inspired by what we do and are excited to contribute to our mission. The mission of the California Academy of Sciences is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. The Academy is looking for candidates who do great work, and we know they may come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every one of the qualifications for the position.

This position is based in San Francisco, California. Staff are currently expected to work from the Academy offices at least 2-3 times per week, which may fluctuate based on business needs. Please do not apply if you are not able to work onsite. This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by Cal Academy Workers United. Once the Academy has a Collective Bargaining Agreement with Cal Academy Workers United this position will be subject to the terms and conditions of that contract. Candidates are required to have up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment, absent qualifying exemptions in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals receiving a conditional offer of employment from the California Academy of Sciences will be provided the full text of the vaccination policy.

About the (Business Finance/Accounting) Team:
This position will be part of the Accounting department under the Business & Finance division. This position will work towards ensuring all payables pertaining to the Academy are processed and paid in an accurate and timely manner which will allow internal business partners to keep track of the their expenses and budgets.

Key Responsibilities:

Accounts Payable

• Review invoices to ensure that submissions are in line with the Academy’s policies to reference Purchase Orders when applicable and contain approval and supporting documentation prior to entry in Oracle Fusion, the accounting system.
• Respond verbally or in writing to internal business partner and external vendor inquiries regarding various Procurement and Accounts Payable related matters in a timely manner.
• Review approved purchase requisitions and create corresponding purchase orders in Oracle Fusion.
• Maintain vendor relationships and records.
• Identify, investigate, and follow up on 2-way and 3-way match system payment holds.
• Identify and submit n