Accounts Payable Manager

About the Company

Palette is a rapidly expanding startup operating in the creator economy. Its team of more than 80 people is focused on setting the benchmark for talent management and marketing in a new-media landscape driven by digital-first entertainers.

The company’s management systems are built with the same level of care typically reserved for major entertainment icons, and now support a network of 200+ creators and influencers with a combined audience exceeding 1 billion and more than 45.8 billion impressions each month. Palette’s creators have appeared in Super Bowl commercials, introduced national brands, and been covered by nearly every major publication.

Its marketing agency also develops strategy for some of the world’s most influential brands and institutions, including The Biden White House, Amazon, simplehuman, and the Gates Foundation. With 42% of Americans under 40 no longer reachable through conventional marketing channels, the company helps organizations connect with these audiences. The marketing team has earned 5 Shorty Impact Awards and has advised three U.S. Presidents on the future of the internet.

Role Summary

In this position, you will take ownership of the accounts payable function and help it scale within a fast-moving creator economy business. The role calls for a high degree of independence and includes responsibility for the full AP cycle, along with the creation of processes, controls, and documentation that can support a growing organization.

You will manage vendor payments, invoice handling, reconciliations, and AP reporting while working closely with Finance, Operations, Talent, and business leaders. In addition to daily execution, you will help bring structure to the function, refine workflows, and introduce systems that improve efficiency and strengthen financial oversight.

This opportunity is well suited to someone who enjoys bringing order to complex operations, values disciplined execution, and wants to influence how finance infrastructure evolves as the business grows.

Accounts Payable Operations

• Take full ownership of the AP cycle, from invoice receipt and coding to approvals, payment runs, vendor updates, and reconciliations.
• Make sure invoices are handled correctly and on time in line with internal policies and approval steps.
• Process vendor payments through ACH, wire, check, and any other approved method.
• Track AP aging, manage upcoming obligations, stay on top of payment terms, and communicate with vendors as needed.
• Match vendor statements, look into mismatches, and work with vendors and internal teams to close out issues.
• Keep vendor files current, including W-9s, banking/payment details, contracts, tax records, and backup documentation.
• Act as the main contact for AP questions from vendors, employees, and finance leadership.

Month-End Close and Financial Support

• Contribute to month-end and year-end close through AP accruals, reconciliations, aging reviews, and expense reporting.
• Build schedules and supporting documents needed for financial reporting and closing activities.
• Assist with 1099 preparation and other reporting tied to compliance requirements.
• Support audits by organizing AP schedules, reconciliations, and any requested records.
• Maintain documentation and records that improve close readiness and reporting accuracy.

Process Improvement and Systems

• Spot opportunities to streamline AP work through automation, system upgrades, and process refinement.
• Develop, update, and maintain AP documentation such as SOPs, process maps, approval flows, payment procedures, close checklists, and escalation paths.
• Design scalable workflows that lower manual effort while improving accuracy and visibility.
• Work with cross-functional partners to improve upstream processes that affect AP efficiency and financial accuracy.
• Help define best practices and controls as the company scales.

Controls, Compliance, and Vendor Management

• Maintain strong controls over vendor setup, invoice approvals, payment execution, and recordkeeping.
• Ensure company policy and documentation standards are followed.
• Monitor approval timing and follow up with stakeholders so payment and close deadlines stay on track.
• Identify operational risks and put practical safeguards in place to reduce mistakes and improve accountability.
• Build constructive vendor relationships through clear communication, professionalism, and prompt issue resolution.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience in accounts payable, accounting, or finance operations.
• A bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related discipline is preferred.
• Hands-on experience managing full-cycle AP, vendor relationships, and payment execution.
• Solid grasp of accounting basics, expense coding, accruals, reconciliations, and month-end close processes.
• Experience creating or maintaining SOPs, workflow documents, operating procedures, or similar guides.
• Comfort using accounting and AP systems such as NetSuite, QuickBooks, Sage Intacct, Bill.com, Ramp, Brex, Expensify, or comparable tools.
• Advanced Excel or Google Sheets capability, including reconciliations, reporting schedules, pivot tables, and data review.
• Strong accuracy, organization, and follow-through.
• Ability to juggle several priorities in a fast-paced and changing environment.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills.
• High ownership, accountability, and discretion when dealing with sensitive financial information.

Preferred, But Not Required

• Background in a high-growth startup, media, entertainment, creator economy, technology, or professional services environment.
• Experience with AP automation tools or approval workflow improvements.
• Exposure to purchase order processes, vendor onboarding, or internal control frameworks.
• Experience preparing 1099s and supporting external audits.
• Prior work as an AP Manager, AP Lead, or owner of the function.
• Experience building finance processes from the ground up in low-structure environments.
• History of working closely with Operations, Legal, Talent, Production, or executive teams.

Additional Information

This is a full-time onsite role based in the United States.