Senior Accounts Payable Specialist

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation ("FMIC") is located in Scottsdale, AZ. Our brand mission is to accompany each player at every stage with products and brand experiences that fuel the pursuit of musical expression. Within Fender's Finance team, we are focused on adding proactive value at every step of the business process. Our mission is to drive effective decision support that enables the company to make critical decisions timely and accurately.

An American icon, Fender was born in Southern California and has built a worldwide influence extending beyond the studio and the stage. A Fender is more than an instrument, it’s a cultural symbol that resonates globally.

We are searching for a Senior Accounts Payable Specialist to join our team. This role will play a vital role in ensuring the timely processing of payments and maintaining accurate financial records. You will be responsible for initiating workflow approval requests, processing vendor invoices in a highly automated environment, resolving discrepancies, responding to inquiries, providing general accounting assistance, reconciling vendor statements, and supporting special projects.

Essential Functions:

• Process vendor invoices including multi-currency and drop shipments, critical vendor pre-payments, returns, credit memos, and utilities.
• Manage accounts payable credit card purchases and submitting expense reports.
• Special request payments and approved pre-payments.
• Training new hires in invoice processing and research procedures.
• Perform audits on vendor updates and new setups.
• Collaborate with internal and external customers to resolve intricate processing discrepancies and source missing information
• Reconcile vendor statements.
• Initiate workflow approval requests for non-PO invoices to obtain GL coding and approval to pay.
• Initiate workflow approval requests to buyers on PO invoices for pricing or quantity discrepancies and/or missing information.
• Accrue use tax, secure discounts.
• Tackle special projects with a proactive and analytical approach.
• Identify and participate in process automation and improvement efforts.
• Support the preparation of journal entries for unrecorded liabilities.
• Support the accounts payable team, sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration.
• Adhere to department best practices and maintain accurate records.

Qualifications:

• Associate's degree in Accounting or Finance, professional certification, or 3+ years of Accounts Payable experience (manufacturing preferred).
• Minimum 3 years of Accounts Payable experience.
• Intermediate understanding of the purchase order, three-way, and two-way matching processes
• Intermediate understanding of processing payment for non-purchase order transactions.
• General accounting knowledge includes journal entry preparation, liability accruals, fixed assets, and prepaid assets needing to be amortized.
• Experience identifying purchases which require sales tax collection vs those which may be tax exempt.
• SAP experience preferred.
• Experience with vendor set up and maintenance a plus.
• Excellent communication, customer service, and teamwork skills.
• Proven problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.
• Strong math skills and general accounting knowledge.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and adapt to a fast-paced environment.
• Keen attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.

About Fender Musical Instruments:

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) is one of the world’s leading musical instrument manufacturers, marketers and distributors, whose portfolio of brands includes Fender®, Squier®, Gretsch®, Jackson®, EVH®, Charvel® and Groove Tubes®, among others. For more information, visit www.fender.com. FMIC offers a competitive benefits package which includes medical, dental, 401(k), paid time off, and an equipment purchase program to help you get the band back together. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, disability, veterans’ status, sexual orientation, or any other protected factor.