Spend Management Lead (Accounts Payable & T&E)

Who we are

Semafor is a global news platform for an increasingly complex world in which consumers are overwhelmed by too many news sources and unsure what to trust. We are building Semafor to enable world-class journalists to deliver reporting and insights with rigor in journalistic forms that ensure a new level of transparency. Our editors and reporters distill the most important stories from all over in formats that uncover the forces shaping the stories, explain the interests behind polarizing narratives, and replenish the stock of shared facts. As a global platform, Semafor recognizes that smart people can disagree and that informed readers need to understand alternative points of view from competing centers of power and culture in a multi-polar world. Want to join us? Read on. 

The Role

Semafor is seeking an Accounts Payable and T&E Manager to own end-to-end accounts payable operations and travel and expense management for the Finance team. The ideal candidate is an experienced accounts payable and expense professional who can manage the full payables lifecycle from vendor onboarding through payment application, serve as an administrator of our expense platform, and play a customer service role in supporting our employees with their travel. The successful candidate will be comfortable working independently and as part of a team, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities in a fast paced, high energy environment, and the desire to be on the ground floor of a rapidly growing startup.

This position is full-time and based out of Semafor’s New York office with the option to work remotely on Fridays.

What You’ll Do:

• Own the end-to-end accounts payable process, from vendor onboarding through payment processing and payment application, ensuring proper account and dimension coding for accurate financial reporting.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all vendor interactions, resolving vendor inquiries and issues, and partnering with management to ensure timely, accurate vendor payments.
• Manage annual 1099 filings and other required tax documentation, ensuring accurate vendor tax records (e.g., W-9s) and timely IRS reporting
• Ensure compliance with global tax/regulatory requirements (including VAT as applicable)
• Manage our virtual card platform, including card issuance, controls, and reconciliation.  
• Oversee end-to-end T&E processing, exception handling, and reimbursements in accordance with company policy.
• Serve as a super user of the expense platform, providing training and proactive troubleshooting support to employees.
• Assist employees with travel arrangements and regularly audit and report on T&E trends, recommending process improvements.
• Maintain organized, up-to-date files for vendor agreements and SOWs for contractors, ensuring documentation is complete and easily accessible for reference and audit purposes
• Monitor our vendor spend and assist management with identifying cost savings, contract renewals and duplication
• Assist with month-end close, including account reconciliations, AP and T&E accruals
• Provide assistance with ad hoc projects and other initiatives aimed at improving the financial performance of the business.

Where This Role Can Grow

• Champion the launch of our new expense platform, Emburse Enterprise, shaping how Semafor manages travel and expenses for years to come.
• Own the build-out of a new virtual card platform from the ground up, designing the controls and processes that will scale with the company.
• Help optimize our global payments processes as Semafor's footprint continues to expand into new markets.
• Grow into a trusted resource on travel, guiding the team through complex arrangements and uncovering meaningful savings along the way.

What You Offer

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field from an accredited university or college.
• 4+ years of experience in accounts payable and travel & expense management.
• Knowledge of basic accounting principles and an eagerness to learn
• Experience implementing a new expense platform is a plus.
• Experience managing a virtual card platform.
• Excellent Microsoft Office Skills with a strong emphasis on Excel.
• Bill.com or other payment platform experience is a plus.
• Strong attention to detail, proven organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and works well in a team environment.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

Compensation: 

The base salary for this position at the time of posting will range from $105,000. - $115,000.per year.  Individual compensation varies based on job related factors, including business needs, location, experience, level of responsibility and qualifications.

Additional Details;

This role is on site in our New York City Headquarters from Monday - Thursday and work from home on Fridays.

Additional job details

Semafor offers a Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) policy to our full-time, salaried employees who may take paid time off as-needed without a prescribed limit or defined balance.

Semafor, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and enthusiastically encourages people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. Semafor, Inc. will consider all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.