Crystal Wade
SENIOR LEVEL - AP DIRECTOR/MANAGER
Atlanta,GA
Summary
- Experienced Accounts Payable Director with over 20 years of experience managing daily accounts payable operations. Expertise overseeing invoicing, vendor relations, payment processing, and employee relations. Successful in reconfiguring workflow and staff responsibilities to improve efficiency. Successful at creating and managing new Accounts Payable departments from the ground up. Dynamic leader with talent and knowledge in managing Supplier accounts. Extensive knowledge about Accounts Payable internal control processes, policies, and procedures, including Prepaid, Accruals, and GAAP compliance.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Accounts Payable Director
Oldcastle Infrastructure -Construction Manufacture
01.2022 - Current
- Fostered a positive work environment by promoting open communication, collaboration, and professional growth opportunities for 29 team members.
- Review the P2P to AP cycle to quickly identify the source of bottlenecks and problems and drive issues to resolution, including impact and risk assessments and status reporting
- Support vendor relationships with Procurement, including negotiating payment terms, resolving disputes, and ensuring timely vendor payments
- Monitored department performance metrics regularly, identifying inefficiencies or bottlenecks in order to continuously improve overall productivity levels.
- Developed and managed the first point of contact for Vendor escalations, including Supplier profile creation, work order discrepancies, and complaints
- Responsible for monthly evaluation of the GRNI Report(Goods Received, Not Invoiced)
- Managed vendor maintenance process and 1099 annual process and all IRS notices
- Process invoices through Coupa, Netsuite, and Microsoft Dynamics AX
- Led the ERP implementation of SAP and Avalara Tax.
- Partnered with finance team to complete month-end accruals and account reconciliations.
- Provide leadership and guidance to the Travel & Expense (T&E) management process to ensure all functions are completed accurately, on time and within company policy
- Oversee annual review and revision of travel and expense policies and work with key stakeholders to update the policy as required
- Provide and manage Concur system administration activities as required.
- Spearheaded process improvements initiatives resulting in increased efficiency within the accounts payable department.
Sr. Accounts Payable Manager
Aramark Uniform Services (Retail)
09.2012 - 01.2022
- Led and managed 25 associates in two locations, Mexico and USA
- Managed the entire Accounts Payable full cycle process using Oracle R12
- Coach, led, and developed an accounting team in Mexico to drive performance and reduce department costs
- Lowered the cost per invoice to $1.65 from $11.40
- Responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the Canadian tax GST, HST, and PST taxes are properly captured with each payment
- Managed the Supplier Master Data, including 1099 processing and all IRS Notices.
- Implemented accounts payable workflow system to reduce manual entry, improved exception handling and visibility to invoices in-process, and added more robust process controls
- Project Manager during the Procure 2 Pay process implementation with the Procurement Team
- Implemented I-Expense, an Oracle Web-based Travel and Expense system, to replace obsolete paper (Excel)
- Managed the EDI A/P Project; over 80% of the A/P invoice transactions were through EDI
- Responsible for working with internal and external auditors to ensure all SOX controls were in place
- Implemented Virtual Card Payments, E-commerce, direct-to-consumer, and ACH.
Accounting Disbursement Manager
Crosstex Energy - (Oil & Gas)
06.2010 - 09.2012
- Responsible for managing a full cycle Accounts Payable Department of 5 direct reports, along with 23 indirect, remote Administrative A/P Associates, in a high volume, fast-paced department
- Developed metrics and scorecards to streamline processes and negotiate payment terms with high volume vendors
- Improved internal as well as external customer focus by establishing AP Website, Hotline
- Used People Soft ERP and Concur Travel and Expense Manager – Managed the implementation of T&E payments and related accounting.
- Managed a Team of Six in Accounts Receivable
- Checked payroll, vendor payments, commissions and other accounting disbursements for accuracy and compliance.
Sr. Manager of Disbursements-Shared Service Center
Staples Inc. (Retail)
06.2008 - 05.2010
- Managed Accounts Payable, Freight, and Payroll along with Shared Service Center Mailroom
- A combined staff of 91 indirect reports and seven direct reports in a high-volume, fast-paced Shared Service environment
- Project Manager for the Implementation of Concur Travel Expense.
- Ensure Service Level Agreements are met for all A/P functions
- Responsible for the A/P operations of 8 systems, interfacing systematically into Oracle 11i
- Reduced waste and pursued revenue development strategies to keep department aligned with sales and profit targets.
- Drive an annual settlement process for top 100 Suppliers with the highest annual spend.
- Identified cost improvement changes and cost savings plans to increase company savings.
Manager of Accounts Payable Support Center
Racetrack (Retail)
03.2007 - 05.2008
- Managed a staff of 24 Indirect Accounts Payable Associates and Five Direct Leaders in a centralized environment
- Redistributed responsibilities to improve workflow by focusing on individual strengths
- Ensured a smooth A/P operation using three different accounting systems, JD Edwards, PDI Fuel system, and Gaits Freight Payables
- Worked with other departments to improve procedures related to Payables
- Managed EDI processing of invoices for 60% merchandise and fuel vendors.
- Spearheaded process improvements that led to enhanced operational efficiency within the accounts payable department.
Director of Accounts Payable
Ashland APAC (Construction)
ATLANTA, GA
08.2003 - 01.2007
- Coordinated accounts payable functions and improved workflow for 38 staff members. Centralized all Payable Functions
- Led the entire Accounts Payable Department on JD Edwards
- Researched and handled all unclaimed checks for Escheatment Payables
- Implemented scanning and Imaging system on the front line, created a workflow approval process on IXOS, Developed desktop procedures for the entire Accounts Payable Department and the field support
- Designed weekly processing metrics for the imaging and scanning department to ensure all work was being processed accurately and timely
- Redesigned the department to meet the high level of expectations demanded by the Division Controllers
- Developed the Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable Customer Service Hotline for external vendors/customers and internal customers.
- Partnered with finance team to complete month-end accruals and account reconciliations.
- Developed compelling presentation decks to gain approval for ideas and communicate results.
- Improved invoice processing efficiency by implementing an electronic approval system.
- Developed strong relationships with vendors, resulting in improved communication and negotiation on payment terms.
Skills
- Specialize in developing policies and procedures, along with many department enhancements Instrumental in centralizing and developing Shared Service Centers for A/P and Procurement Teams Sarbanes Oxley compliance Serve as subject matter expert for any implementations or upgrades to existing A/P applications
- MS Office, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Outlook, Concur Expense Reporting
COMPUTERS SKILLS
- Accounting Software: JD Edwards, Vertex, Avalara Tax Software Implementation, PeopleSoft, Lawson, Solomon, Great Plains, Oracle R12, 11i, Oracle NetSuite, Kofax RSO, Oracle IExpense, Discover Reporting, AS400
- Coupa, Netsuite, Microsoft Dynamics AX, SAP
Timeline
Accounts Payable Director
Oldcastle Infrastructure -Construction Manufacture
01.2022 - Current
Sr. Accounts Payable Manager
Aramark Uniform Services (Retail)
09.2012 - 01.2022
Accounting Disbursement Manager
Crosstex Energy - (Oil & Gas)
06.2010 - 09.2012
Sr. Manager of Disbursements-Shared Service Center
Staples Inc. (Retail)
06.2008 - 05.2010
Manager of Accounts Payable Support Center
Racetrack (Retail)
03.2007 - 05.2008
Director of Accounts Payable
Ashland APAC (Construction)
08.2003 - 01.2007
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