Accountant II – Accounts Payable Specialist

Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is about more than power. We’re about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas’ Best Places to work by Arkansas Business and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on!

We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.

We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package:

- Competitive and transparent pay with bonus opportunities

- Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans to choose from, employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance

- Relocation bonus (if applicable)

- Hybrid working environment for positions that are eligible

- Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a pension (defined benefit plan) fully funded by SPP

PLEASE NOTE:SPP is not able to sponsor employment visas or student-work authorizations (STEM OPT) for this position. Please ensure you are eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship prior to applying.

COMPENSATION INFORMATION

The salary range(s) represents our good faith estimate for the role at this time. While we strive to provide competitive and transparent compensation, there may be circumstances where an offer is above or outside of the listed range. We are open to discussing salary expectations with qualified candidates considering factors such as the candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, experience and geographic location will all be considered during the hiring process.

Accountant II | Pay Range: $64,060.00 - $78,465.00

Join our team as an Accountant II – Accounts Payable Specialist and make an impact in a fast-paced environment!

SPP is a growing and dynamic organization seeking an experienced, detail-oriented accounting professional to join our Accounting team as an Accountant II - Accounts Payable Specialist. This role offers an opportunity to play a vital part in day-to-day accounting operations while helping to strengthen and evolve our accounts payable processes through continuous improvement and collaboration.

In this role, you will contribute to system implementations, process enhancements, and best practices, making a meaningful impact on how we operate today and in the future. The Accountant II supports core accounting functions, including financial statement and account analysis, month-end close activities, general ledger entries, and account reconciliations, while also managing end-to-end accounts payable processes such as invoice review, coding, approval, payment processing, and weekly disbursements.

You will research and resolve invoice discrepancies and vendor inquiries, ensuring invoices are processed accurately and timely. This position also contributes to audits, internal controls, special projects, and cross-functional initiatives, working closely with the Controller, Supervisors, and internal teams across the organization, including SPP subcommittees, working groups, and task forces. This role is critical in building strong vendor relationships and supporting overall business continuity.

Other Essential Functions:

- Perform general accounting activities, ensuring accuracy and compliance with established policies and procedures

- Execute month-end and year-end close activities, including preparation of schedules and reconciliations

- Prepare and post journal entries to the general ledger in accordance with accounting standards

- Conduct detailed account analysis to identify and resolve variances or discrepancies

- Reconcile general ledger accounts on a regular basis to ensure accuracy and completeness

- Assist with annual financial statement audits and other audits as needed

- Prepare and maintain documentation to support SOC 1 and internal control requirements

- Participate in the development, implementation, and improvement of accounting processes and controls

- Provide analytical support and complete ad hoc reporting requests for the Controller, Supervisors, and other SPP teams

If you enjoy combining technical accounting expertise with opportunities to improve processes and support organizational growth, this role offers a rewarding next step in your accounting career.

To be successful as an Accountant II - Accounts Payable Specialist, we're looking for:

Education Requirements:

- Bachelor’s degree in accounting/business-related field. Two (2) years of job-related experience may be considered in lieu of degree requirement

Experience Requirements:

- Three (3) years of job-related experience (in excess of educational requirements above)

Required:

- Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Word

- Demonstrated attention to detail with strong organizational skills

- Communicate effectively with accountants, engineers, management and senior management for the purposes of requests, analysis, coordination, guidance and presentations

- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines

- Experience in basic financial statement analysis

- Understanding of, compliance with and enforcement of SPP Policies and Procedures

Preferred Qualifications:

- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

- Familiarity with ERP systems

- Working knowledge of 1099 reporting requirements

Position Type, Location, and Expected Hours of Work:

- This is a full-time, onsite hybrid position based in Little Rock, Arkansas. The standard workweek is Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with extended hours may be required.

Travel Requirement:

- This position requires moderate travel for in-office employees (10-15%) and moderate travel for remote employees (15-25%).

SPP is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans and is committed to excellence. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us at HR@spp.org and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process. We will accommodate the needs of any qualified candidate who requests a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

At SPP we believe in a culture of belonging. Learn more here: Culture of Belonging - Southwest Power Pool.

Full job descriptions will be made available to those selected for an interview.