Accounts Payable and Disbursements Specialist

Who are we?

Named for several years as a "great place" to work by The Washington Post and Washington Business Journal, Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. is proud to be one of the most highly regarded intellectual property specialty law firms in the world. We recognize that it is the talent and dynamism of each individual at Sterne Kessler that makes that possible. With that in mind, we have cultivated an environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating with just the right touch of fun and exuberance. We offer a competitive compensation package with excellent benefits and are Metro-accessible in a prime downtown location with many nearby restaurants and shops.

What do we need?

We are looking for an Accounts Payable & Disbursements Specialist who will be responsible for the timely processing of vendor invoices, employee expense reports, domestic and international payments, and related accounting functions. This role partners closely with attorneys, staff, vendors, and the Accounting team to ensure accurate financial processing, exceptional customer service, and compliance with firm policies and internal controls. This position is hybrid from the D.C. area with some in-office presence as needed.

How will you make an impact?

• Processing vendor invoices through the firm's electronic invoice workflow.
• Reviewing invoices for accuracy, approvals, coding, and compliance with firm policies.
• Researching and resolving invoice discrepancies with vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Processing employee expense reports through Emburse (Chrome River).
• Maintaining vendor records and assisting with vendor onboarding.
• Monitoring and responding to the Accounts Payable shared mailbox.
• Responding professionally to vendor and employee payment inquiries.
• Ensuring invoices are processed in accordance with payment terms and firm policy.
• Preparing and processing ACH payments, wire transfers, checks, and credit card payments.
• Uploading payment files to banking platforms and validating successful processing.
• Coordinating domestic and international payments, including foreign exchange transactions.
• Uploading Positive Pay files and supporting payment fraud prevention procedures.
• Researching payment issues and coordinating stop payments, voids, and reissues.
• Reconciling vendor statements and investigating outstanding balances.
• Assisting with month-end close activities.
• Supporting internal and external audit requests.
• Preparing reports and analyses using Microsoft Excel.
• Identifying opportunities to improve efficiency through automation and workflow enhancements.

What will you bring to the role?

• 2+ years of Accounts Payable or Accounting experience in a professional services firm preferred
• Associate’s or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or related field preferred.
• Experience processing high-volume invoices and electronic payments.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills; proficiency with Outlook and Microsoft Office.
• Experience with Elite 3E, Emburse (Chrome River), banking platforms, or similar ERP systems preferred.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while providing outstanding customer service.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Flexible to work overtime on an as-needed basis.

The good faith base salary range for this position is $57,500 to $67,500 per year. The actual salary rate offered to candidates within that range will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, years of relevant experience, education, and the candidate’s overall qualifications for the position as assessed by the Firm.

To Apply

Please include a resume and cover letter with your application.

Sterne Kessler is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.