Accounts Payable & Operations Manager

Company Overview Every firm has a culture – the values, beliefs, methodology, attitudes and standards that reflect an organization’s DNA. But the truly inspiring firms – the game-changers, the industry leaders and the disruptors – have cultures that propel them to innovate and stand out. At Brown Advisory, we aim to be one of those inspired firms. Over the years, we have purposefully built and nurtured our client-first culture. Brown Advisory is an independent investment management and strategic advisory firm committed to delivering a combination of first-class performance, strategic advice and the highest level of client service. The firm’s clients—including individuals, families, family offices, endowments, foundations, charities, institutions, consultants, and financial intermediaries—are served by over 1,000 colleagues worldwide, all of whom are equity owners of the firm. Job Description Brown Advisory is seeking a professional, energetic, and detail-oriented individual to join our Baltimore office as an Accounts Payable & Operations Manager. This role oversees the firm's payment processes, including vendor and colleague payments, while driving strong financial controls, operational excellence, and process improvement across the finance function. Responsibilities include oversight of accounts payable function, reviewing monthly journal entries and account reconciliations, performing variance analysis, and delivering ad hoc reporting and business insights to senior leadership. As a key leader within the Controller's organization, this individual will be responsible for developing and mentoring team members, strengthening internal controls, enhancing operational efficiency, and supporting the firm's ongoing finance transformation initiatives. The role offers opportunities for professional growth and advancement within the accounting function of a global independent investment management and strategic advisory firm. We Expect the Accounts Payable & Operations Manager to : Be thorough and accurate. You will be tasked with ensuring data integrity, identifying and addressing process improvements in our operations and developing solutions. You will leverage available tools—including automation and AI enabled features within our systems—to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and controls, while maintaining exceptional attention to detail. Be curious and proactive. You are eager to contribute and learn, ask lots of questions, and provide solutions before issues arise. You are excited about making ongoing process improvements and are open to exploring new tools, including AI assisted workflows, to streamline processes and surface insights. Be a team player. You raise your hand to help others on the team and offer support without being told to do so. You bring a positive attitude, assume positive intent from colleagues and managers, and share knowledge—particularly around new tools or efficiencies—with the broader team. Be a natural problem-solver. You identify challenges, analyze root causes, seek to understand the rationale behind current processes, and then propose solutions—leveraging data, system capabilities, and emerging technologies—to improve outcomes. Work independently. You follow tasks through to completion, meet commitments, and proactively seek guidance and feedback as necessary. You are comfortable using modern tools to manage workflows, track progress, and improve team productivity. Be discreet. You exhibit a high level of professionalism with respect to maintaining confidential and sensitive information, including the responsible use of AI tools in accordance with firm policies, data privacy standards, and regulatory requirements. Have a positive, service-oriented mindset. You provide impeccable support and coaching to team members and regularly interact with colleagues within and outside of accounting. You communicate directly, concisely, and clearly—both in writing and verbally—and are able to adapt your tone and message across audiences while providing high level of customer service. Demonstrate strong accounting acumen and communication skills . The ideal candidate has an interest in accounting, outstanding writing and communication skills, and the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously in a collaborative, global environment. You will build strong relationships with cross-functional partners and various levels of management, using data and insights to support decision-making. Have a positive attitude and the desire to provide impeccable support to Brown Advisory team members. You will regularly interact with team members within and outside the accounting team, providing the highest levels of customer service. Duties/Responsibilities of Position: The duties of this position include but are not limited to: Build a highly engaged, high-performing team through coaching, development, accountability, and continuous feedback (Accounts Payable team has 2 reports) Full cycle accounts payable duties including coding invoices, reconciling accounts payable, settlement runs, year-end regulatory reporting and researching vendor invoice discrepancies Oversee vendor master data governance, maintenance, and compliance documentation while developing strong relationships with key service provider Own and enhance AP internal controls, including vendor onboarding, payment authorization, segregation of duties, treasury application and fraud prevention procedures Identify and lead improvements across the procure-to-pay lifecycle, partnering with accounting, finance, treasury, legal, and business stakeholders Planning and executing the month-end close schedule, including timeline development, sub-ledger cutoff, accrual preparation/review, and department communication Support year-end audits and regulatory examinations, including preparation of schedules, documentation, and responses; assist in improving audit-readiness through better data organizat