Accounts Payable Associate

At Cleco, we're not just powering lives—we're powering a cleaner, smarter future for Louisiana. With bold investments in innovative energy solutions, we’re transforming how we power our communities: smarter, cleaner, and more sustainable. This is a long-term commitment to our people and our communities because our future—and the future of generations to come—depends on it. If you're ready to make an impact where it matters most, join us at Cleco—where we're Energizing Your Tomorrow.

The Accounts Payable Associate II is a mid-level support professional requiring related work experience knowledge within the AP function. The incumbent is responsible for performing day-to-day administrative and clerical AP activities including processing, verifying and reconciling invoices according to established Accounting and Tax policies and procedures, in an efficient, timely and accurate manner. The incumbent assists with process improvement projects and initiatives in the AP department.

Key Responsibilities

- Maintain machine learning models in OpenText to ensure scalability and reliability. Retrain machine learning models as new data becomes available.

- Gather, preprocess, and analyze machine learning datasets to train and validate models, ensuring data quality and relevance.

- Conduct regular machine learning performance evaluations, identify bottlenecks, and implement optimization strategies to enhance model efficiency and accuracy.

- Participate in the day-to-day AP processes including reviewing invoices for proper coding, ensuring payments via check, ACH, wires and supplier payments are processed timely and accurately

- Accurately review, code, route, and process vendor invoices into Cleco’s ERP system for posting and payment; conduct data entry of accounting entries into the system ensuring data integrity, completeness, accuracy and adherence to company policy or procedure, and local & federal regulations

- Maintain vendor records, process and reconcile payments and expenditures and ensure adherence to company policy or procedure and federal regulations; Submit requests to update and maintain vendor database

- Analyze invoices for accurate tax coding. Aid Cleco Tax Department in correcting vendor tax configuration to ensure accurate tax assessment; maintain understanding of general tax policies and procedures to ensure accurate invoice taxation

- Monitor for potential duplicate invoices, investigate and resolve/clarify any unusual or questionable invoice items or prices, and ensure discounts are included in calculations

- Effectively communicate with vendors and internal departments to address inquiries, resolve issues, and ensure smooth payment processes

- Support and train less experienced colleagues

- Assist in strategic projects to identify business processes that can be improved or automated. Support the testing and implementation of new technologies and current systems enhancements to streamline AP processes. Work with AP Technical team to explore new validation and processing tools and techniques to enhance existing systems and develop innovative solutions

- Champion a corporate culture that emphasizes transparency, integrity, safety, environmental responsibility, employee development, diversity and inclusion, customer service, and operational excellence

Qualifications

Required Education, Skills & Experience

- Associates degree in Finance, Accounting Business, or related discipline preferred

- 2+ years of related experience

- Experience with Microsoft tools and applications required

- Experience with financial systems/SAP preferred

- Willingness and ability to learn new technologies on the job; technologically savvy

- Detailed-oriented and high work standards in support of seamless execution

- Strong Interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate at all levels of the organization

- Thrives on working in a team and supporting others to achieve goals/targets

Key Competencies

BEHAVIORAL

- Building Partnerships

- Leading Teams

- Business Acumen

- Communication

- Courage

- Building Self-Insight

- Driving for Results

- Energizing the Organization

- Driving Execution

- Building Trusting Relationships

- Driving Innovation

- Planning and Organizing

- Safety

- Establishing Strategic Direction

TECHNICAL

- Core Accounting

- Financial Reporting & Data Analysis

- Industry & Business Knowledge

- Regulatory Accounting

- Risk Management

- Financial Systems

- Business Partnering

- Financial Transaction Management

May perform other duties as assigned.

Salary dependent on experience, skills, education, and training.