Account Payable Specialist

Job Description

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Accounts Payable Specialist

The Company

Cognex is the global leader in the dynamic and rapidly growing field of machine vision, generating annual revenue of $1 billion. We are a financially strong international organization with a culture that combines the energy and creativity of a startup with the stability of an established company.

Our employees, proudly known as “Cognoids,” take their work seriously—but never themselves. Our Work Hard, Play Hard, Move Fast culture celebrates innovation, perseverance, and results in a fun and rewarding environment. At Cognex, we value in-person collaboration and teamwork, fostering an environment where ideas thrive and careers grow.

The Role

The Accounts Payable Specialist is responsible for performing daily invoice processing, vendor support, and payment activities for assigned regions. This role focuses on accurate data entry, timely processing, and effective communication with vendors and internal teams. The position follows established procedures and supports the overall Procure‑to‑Pay (P2P) process.

Essential Functions

Global Invoice Processing (PO \& Non‑PO)

• Manage daily AP operations for U.S. and European entities, ensuring accurate and timely processing of PO and non‑PO invoices.
• Perform detailed 3‑way match validations (PO, goods receipt, invoice) and coordinate with Procurement, Receiving, and business teams to resolve discrepancies.
• Process non‑PO invoices (e.g., utilities, rent, legal, professional services) ensuring appropriate approvals, cost center assignment, and documentation.
• Verify required documentation is attached before processing.
• Maintain accurate global vendor master data, including EU bank details (IBAN, SWIFT/BIC) and U.S. ACH/wire validations.

Global Payment Execution

• Manage and execute scheduled payment runs for U.S. and European entities, ensuring proper payment methods based on region (ACH, SEPA, manual wires)
• Verify payment approvals, bank instructions, and foreign currency transactions when needed.
• Monitor and resolve payment failures, returned payments, and reissue requests across varying regional banking systems.

Vendor Management, Issue Resolution \& Stakeholder Support

• Serve as the escalation point for complex invoices, vendor, tax, and payment issues across regions.
• Collaborate with vendors across time zones to resolve discrepancies, credits, missing documentation, or invoice disputes.
• Ensure accurate vendor setup and maintenance, including W‑9/W‑8 management and banking verification.

Month End Close and Reporting Responsibilities

• Perform month-end AP close for U.S. and EU entities, including posting accruals, reconciling GR/IR, clearing open items, ensuring proper cut‑off, and validating VAT/tax codes for compliance.
• Complete monthly AP reconciliations by matching supplier statements, resolving differences with the AP subledger, reconciling AP balance sheet accounts, and reviewing aging to follow up on overdue or exception items.
• Support audits by providing reconciliations, documentation, and samples, ensuring compliance with U.S. GAAP, SOX controls, and EU standards, and resolving recurring close issues like unmatched POs, delayed receipts, and late approvals.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Core Competencies

Global Mindset

Understands regional differences and can operate effectively across markets.

Operational Excellence

Ensures accuracy, timeliness, controls, and high‑quality service delivery while managing high-volume invoice processing

Problem Solving

Resolves complex invoices, tax, system, and payment challenges independently.

Customer Focus

Provides strong vendor and stakeholder support across multiple time zones.

Collaboration

Works effectively with cross‑functional and cross‑regional teams.

Technical Aptitude

Quickly adapts to systems, automation tools, and global P2P technologies.

Qualifications

Required

• B.S. degree in Finance-related field
• 3+ years of progressive Accounts Payable experience, preferably in a shared services or global delivery model.
• Strong understanding of P2P processes, 3‑way match, purchasing policies, and invoice controls.
• Experience with enterprise ERP (e.g., SAP, SAP Concur, Levelpath, Workday, Service Now).
• High attention to detail, analytical mindset, and strong problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in tight corporate deadlines and fast paced environment.
• Ability to work independently and communicate with all levels of the organization and customers.

Location

Onsite – Noida, India