Financial Analyst I, Corp Accounts Payable

Amazon is looking for a driven Finance Operations Specialist to become a key contributor in the fast-paced world of Global Accounts Payable. This role offers an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a high-growth environment, where your ability to identify, communicate, and drive operational improvements will be critical to the success of our team. You will have ownership of a critical reporting function, manage relationships with multiple global stakeholders, and lead problem-solving initiatives to ensure timely payments to vendors.

We are seeking individuals with excellent communication and analytical skills, combined with a strong passion for process improvement and problem-solving. If you are motivated to dive into the details, take full ownership, and work effectively in a fast-paced environment, we have the perfect career opportunity for you!

The ideal candidate will have experience in finance roles, with a deep understanding of finance operations and a solid background in relationship management. The candidate will demonstrate excellent problem-solving abilities, with a focus on driving process improvements and enhancing payment practices. We are looking for an action-driven individual who is motivated to proactively address challenges, identify areas for improvement, and implement solutions to enhance overall efficiency. Additional traits we are looking for include a strong desire to exceed expectations, effective interpersonal skills (with persuasive written and oral communication), solid organizational capabilities, and the ability to assess and manage risk effectively.

The successful candidate will be a key member of Global Finance Operations, responsible for reporting on key performance metrics, identifying opportunities for improvement, and leading initiatives to optimize processes and reporting standards.

Responsibilities:

Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Accounts Payable: Take ownership of specific Accounts Payable areas and become the go-to expert for any operational queries or challenges within those areas.

Metrics Analysis and Reporting: Analyze key metrics related to operational performance, identifying trends, anomalies, and areas for improvement. Present these findings clearly and effectively to senior leadership and internal teams, offering actionable insights.

Independent Work and Problem-Solving: Work autonomously with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail. Proactively identify variances, discrepancies, and potential failures in the system, working quickly to resolve them in a timely manner.

Collaboration with Cross-Functional Teams: Interact closely with Operations, Business Partnering, and Finance teams to conduct root cause analysis, update standard operating procedures (SOPs), improve communication, and align backward planning efforts.

Continuous Improvement Initiatives: Partner with global stakeholders to identify and implement opportunities for process optimization. Champion a culture of continuous improvement through quality-driven initiatives such as Lean, Six Sigma, and other process optimization methodologies.

Payment Practice Reporting: Publish accurate and timely monthly/bi-annual reports on Payment Practices, ensuring compliance with both internal standards and external regulatory guidelines. Consistently meet deadlines for report submission and maintain high-quality standards.

Tech Solutions for Reporting Automation: Work closely with the technology teams to define business requirements and implement automated reporting solutions that improve operational efficiency and reduce manual intervention.

Dashboard Maintenance and Enhancement: Collaborate with AP-Analytics teams to maintain, update, and enhance financial dashboards, ensuring the accurate and timely addition of new entities as needed.

Regulatory Compliance and Updates: Regularly review Payment Practice regulations and proactively update reporting logic and rules to ensure compliance with any legal amendments. Work closely with legal teams to stay up-to-date with relevant regulations and ensure consistent application across all reports.

Data Inspection and Sampling: Perform self-inspections of data accuracy, including sampling invoices for new or updated ingestion sources. This will ensure the integrity of the data being processed and reported.

Audit Support: Respond to audit-related inquiries from internal teams (CSI, FORI) and external auditors, providing the necessary documentation, explanations, and support related to reporting and operational performance.

Skills and Qualifications:

Experience in Finance Operations: A strong background in finance, accounting, or related fields, with 6+ years of Accounts Receivable or Accounts Payable experience.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): 2+ years of experience in applying key financial performance indicators (KPIs) to analyze business processes and operational performance.

Software and Analytical Tools Expertise: Proficient in standard software such as Excel, Access, Oracle, Essbase, SQL, and VBA. Strong analytical skills to interpret and manipulate large datasets to influence business decisions.

Relationship Management: Proven experience in managing relationships with global stakeholders, including vendors, internal teams, and leadership.

Problem-Solving & Process Improvement: Demonstrated ability to identify and resolve complex issues, improve processes, and enhance payment practices. A proactive approach to identifying inefficiencies and implementing improvements. 2+ years of experience participating in continuous improvement projects, delivering measurable results.

Action-Driven and Results-Oriented: A self-motivated individual who takes ownership of challenges and strives to exceed expectations. The ability to work independently and take swift action when issues arise.

Communication Skills: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex data and information in a clear, concise, and persuasive manner to various stakeholders.

Organizational Skills & Risk Management: Strong organizational abilities, with an aptitude for managing multiple priorities. Skilled in assessing and managing risk, with a focus on minimizing potential disruptions to the payment process.

Attention to Detail & Accuracy: A keen eye for detail, ensuring the highest level of accuracy in all financial reporting and operational tasks.

Adaptability and Agility: Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment, with the flexibility to adapt to new challenges, processes, and technologies.