Accounts Payable Accountant

Position: Accounts Payable Accountant

Department: Finance & Administration

Reports to: Controller

FLSA Status: Full-time, Exempt, Non-Union

Grade: 7

Position Description:

The accounts payable bookkeeper is responsible for Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s full-cycle accounts payable process, ensuring timely and accurate processing of invoices while maintaining compliance with internal controls and accounting policies. This role plays a key part in safeguarding company assets, managing vendor relationships, and supporting financial reporting through proper accruals, reconciliations, and documentation.

Responsibilities:

• Review incoming invoices for completeness, accuracy, and proper authorization.
• Prepare and process weekly payment runs (checks, ACH, wire transfers).
• Verify pricing, quantities, tax calculations, and payment terms.
• Maintain strong internal controls to prevent duplicate or fraudulent payments.
• Identify and escalate discrepancies and missing approvals.
• Set up and maintain vendor records to ensure all documentation is updated, including W-9 forms, contact information, and banking details.
• Ensure compliance with IRS 1099 reporting requirements and assist in year-end 1099 filing.
• Respond to vendor inquiries regarding payment status or discrepancies.
• Reconcile vendor statements and resolve discrepancies, including resolution of prior balances.
• Resolve payment issues in a timely and professional manner.
• Assist with month-end closing, including accruals and account reconciliations.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and approval hierarchies.
• Maintain organized and accurate account payables files and records.
• Support audits by providing required documentation.
• Identify opportunities to improve AP processes and increase efficiency.
• Support implementation or upgrades of accounting AP systems.
• Assist in automation initiatives (invoice scanning, workflow approvals, etc).
• Acts as liaison between vendors and Business Office.
• Maintain all accounts payable reports, spreadsheets, and files.
• Monitor outstanding checks and follows up with payees, where appropriate.
• Serve as custodian of petty cash for reimbursement of expenditures made by staff.
• Prepare Postage Cost Allocations.
• Perform any other department or related duties or special projects as directed.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and 4 to 6 years of experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience
• Knowledge of accounting and understanding of the general ledger and how they relate invoices
• Working knowledge of MS Word and Excel
• Proven facility in data entry, customer service, and problem resolution
• Detail oriented
• General ability to work independently and as a team
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Should be self-motivated, able to prioritize and plan work activities, and use time efficiently

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary Range: $64,000–$80,000
  
  Brooklyn Botanic Garden considers several factors when determining the appropriate salary to offer a candidate within the listed salary range. These factors include (but are not limited to), the scope and responsibilities of the position, a candidate’s relevant work experience and education/training, prior union/ DC37 experience (for union positions), job skills, equity across the institution, as well as market and organizational considerations.
  
• BBG offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
  
  • Health Insurance that begins the date of hire; employees are offered coverage through the City of New York’s Office of Labor Relations and can choose from a variety of plans, some at no cost to the employee.
  • Dental/Vision/Prescription Benefits
  • Pre-Tax Benefits including flexible spending, dependent care, transit/parking accounts
  • CIRS Pension/401K/Life Insurance: BBG is a member of the Cultural Institutions Retirement System (CIRS) and offers a pension and 401K plan for eligible employees. Life insurance is provided through CIRS as well.
  • Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • Generous Paid Time Off including sick time, vacation time, and 13 annual holidays
    
• As a 501(c)3, BBG is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligible Employer.
• Museum Pass, which provides employees the opportunity to enter many museums in New York City for free
• Free Garden admission for employee plus one guest
• Employee discount at BBG’s retail shop and food venues

To be considered for this position, please submit an application by clicking Apply below. Applications submitted without a résumé and cover letter will not be considered.

No telephone calls for position inquiries, please. Applicants with disabilities who need assistance with the online system, or who may require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, should contact Human Resources at hr@bbg.org.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.