AP Journal Online - American Accounts Payable Association

AP Benchmarks for a Balanced Scorecard of Success

To maximize their contribution to the company, the Accounts Payable department needs to know how their performance compares to other departments. Benchmarking—the process of identifying a standard of excellence against which to be judged—helps identify opportunities and provides a method to collect ideas for process improvement. Not only does benchmarking impart powerful tools for initiating, but the process assists in continuous improvement. Here are 12 steps to get started. more››

Procedures and Fixes for Vendor
File Management

A vendor file must be kept up to date with current and relevant data. It is a difficult undertaking and there is hardly a simple fix once your vendor file has become saturated with outdated information and duplicate records. Maintenance and management is an ongoing process and requires constant attention. Any firm promising immediate vendor-file cleansing should be avoided. more››

Why Achieving True AP Automation Demands ERP Integration

Ever since the first American business opened its doors, the accounts payable, procurement, and accounts receivable departments have been the foundation of modern commerce. Technology has driven productivity, efficiency, and cost-savings through automation. But those benefits comprise only a small portion of AP automation’s value. more››

Protect Employee Morale
Cash-Flow Communication In Hard Times

Consistency is the foundation of success to avoid multiple invoices and vendor name variations when entering invoices into the AP system. We know it can be a challenge. Inconsistency may lead to issues in locating paid invoices, or result in an eventual duplicate payment. It often begins with the invoice number. more››

Prevent Duplicate Payments Within Your AP System

Purchasing Card Strategies in the Payables Process

As an accounts payable professional, you have undoubtedly noticed the rising use of purchasing cards, or p-cards, in the month-end check run (payables process). Many AP departments are replacing checks, and sometimes Automated Clearing House payments, with p-cards to pay suppliers. more››

Best Practices in Purchase-to-Pay Automation

Despite the many benefits organizations can gain from purchase-to-pay automation and tighter cooperation between finance and procurement, many still find themselves stuck in old-world manual paper-handling processes. A recent report commissioned by Basware, “Lost in Transaction,” surveyed 550 AP departments worldwide and found that weaknesses in finance processes are actually resulting in additional costs for businesses. more››

From Submission to Reimbursement: The Business Argument for Outsourcing Expense Management

Expense management has always been a vital component of any business strategy. With the growth in corporate travel, the Accounts Payable and Finance departments have assumed the burden of processing higher and higher volumes of more detailed expense reports. more››

Top AP Honors Go to Parsons and Ruhm

American Accounts Payable Association members Jodi L. Parsons, CPP, and Michael J. Ruhm, CPP, share something in common—a strong dedication to the AAPA.

Parsons and Ruhm were honored with the 2011 Accounts Payable Woman of the Year and the Accounts Payable Man of the Year awards during the AP General Session on May 25 at the 29th APA / AAPA Annual Congress. Parsons and Ruhm each joined AAPA at its founding in 2008, and have been involved members of the American Payroll Association since 2001. more››

IN THE NEWS

SAPLTF Announces Co-Chairs Humbarger and Parsons

The AAPA announced that the Strategic Accounts Payable Leadership Task Force (SAPLTF) will be co-chaired by two people long familiar to the organization, Jamie Humbarger APS, CPP, and Jodi Parsons, CPP. Both leaders ask for your participation. More››

Education Grant Helps AAPA Member Grow Her Career

Curious as to how an education grant might help grow your career? Hear firsthand from an AAPA member who was the recipient of the AP Education Grant this year, and how it encouraged her professional growth. Also, learn how you can earn your very own education grant. More››

Specifications Issued for Private Printing of Forms

In Rev. Proc. 2011-60 (2011-52 IRB 934), the IRS published updated requirements for preparing acceptable paper substitutes for Forms 1096, 1098, 1099, 5498, and certain other information returns More››

PUBLISHED BY
American Accounts Payable Association

MANAGING EDITOR
Frank J. Mendelson

EDITORIAL ADVISORS
Marcia L. Aamodt
Director of HRIS/Payroll Serv.
Apple, Inc.

La Tanya Cherry
Sr. Accountant, A/P
Intelsat

Philip Cavoretto
Director of Disbursement
BJC Health System

Daniel B. Dycus, CPP
Director, Payroll and Accounts Payable
Living Social

Carl A. Imhof
Sr. Tax Accountant
Tyson Foods, Inc.

Donna Michele, CPP
Director,Payroll/Accounts Payable
MVP Health Care

Jodi L. Parsons, CPP
Manager, Payroll and Accounts Payable
Telligen

Karen Salemi, FLMI, CPP
North American Payroll Manager
IBM

Alba L. Taber, CPP
Accounts Payable Associate Manager
YMCA of Greater Miami

Sandy Tomasko, CPP
Accounts Payable/ Payroll Manager
Sacred Heart Hospital

Sarona-Lee Wilde, CPP
Owner
Ecova

Web publishing services provided with assistance from Publishing Resources, Inc.

For these and many more accounts payable, payroll, accounting and finance positions throughout the US, visit
www.americanap.org/
job-board

Director Payroll & Accounts Payable Services

Milwaukee, WI

As Director of Payroll and Accounts Payable Services for at Aurora Health Care, imagine yourself developing, implementing, and evaluating system-wide payroll and accounts payable (expenditure cycle) operations, ensuring a consistent approach to delivery and management and oversees related regulatory compliance. Ensuring expenditure cycle strategies are based on best practice which aligns with organizational strategies and objectives.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE SPECIALIST

Alpine, CA

Will be responsible for matching invoices to pack sheets, purchase orders, check requests, or any other available document. Verifies quantities, purchase order numbers, signatures, ledger account numbers and other items. Verifies whether the purchase order authorized freight expenses. Sends invoices to appropriate department to complete a check request when needed. Ensures check request is signed by authorized person and within authorization limits. Monitors receipt of processed paperwork and follows up if it is not returned in a timely manner. more››

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Coming Up...

Form 1042-S: What You Need to Know to Comply with IRS Reporting
Requirements for Payments to Nonresident Aliens
How to Create an Effective TIN Solicitation Program & Avoid All Pitfalls.
Unclaimed Property Basics: A Best Practice Approach
Combined State & Federal Information Reporting