Finance & Accounting Professional – Accounts Payable

Job Description

Finance & Accounting Professional 1 – Accounts Payable | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

The Tone:
This is an entry-level professional role at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, located in Richland, WA. PNNL is a world-class research institution that operates on behalf of the Department of Energy, focused on scientific research and operational functions. This position is vital for supporting Accounts Payable operations within the Business Services Directorate, ensuring efficient, effective, and compliant financial business operations that contribute to PNNL’s scientific impact. Individuals will develop their skills, take on leadership roles, and contribute to high-impact projects while advancing their careers.

The TL;DR
• Role: Early Career
• Type: Full-time
• Location: In-person Richland, WA
• Pay: $27.50–$40.38 hourly
• Team: Financial Operations Division of the Business Services Directorate, reports to the Manager, Payable Services.
• Mission: Develop expertise in Accounts Payable operations, financial systems, data analysis, internal controls, and business processes to support effective and compliant financial operations.
• Tech Stack: Excel, other analytical tools

What You’ll Actually Do
• Support: Support AP Administrators by researching and resolving transactional, accounting, system, and process-related questions and issues.
• Analyze: Research and analyze Accounts Payable transactions and financial data to identify discrepancies and assist with appropriate resolution using Excel and other analytical tools.
• Reconcile: Perform routine reconciliations and analyses to support the accuracy and completeness of Accounts Payable liabilities on the general ledger and assist with month-end and year-end activities.
• Maintain compliance: Learn and apply Accounts Payable policies, procedures, financial controls, and system functionality to support effective and compliant operations, including assisting with internal control testing and audit requests.
• Collaborate: Work collaboratively with the Senior AP Professional, AP administrators, and other business partners to research transactional exceptions and resolve routine issues, contributing to team and organizational objectives.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Entry-level professional with a Bachelor’s or higher degree in accounting, finance, or a business-related field.
• Experience: Foundational knowledge of accounting and financial concepts, and experience using Excel functions and tools such as formulas, PivotTables, lookups, filtering, and sorting for data analysis.
• Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail, strong teamwork and interpersonal skills, effective written and verbal communication, and the ability and willingness to learn new financial systems, processes, policies, and procedures.
• Bonus: Demonstrated initiative, curiosity, and a willingness to develop new technical and professional skills, along with the ability to organize work, manage multiple priorities, and meet established deadlines.