Accounting Assistant 4
- Req. Number: IRC144301
- Organization : Controller Accounts Payable and Disbursements (CNTL-APD)
- City, State: Los Alamos, New Mexico
- Salary: $54,900 - $84,300
The Controller Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) provides trusted financial services that support national security and the Laboratory's mission. We offer efficient, transparent financial solutions across areas such as accounting, compliance, payroll, benefits, institutional tax, retirement, travel, disbursements, financial reporting, corporate accounting, and business systems. Our specialized groups ensure operational excellence and financial accountability. Driven by integrity, innovation, and collaboration, we continuously strive for world-class financial operations that align with LANL's broader goals. Join us in shaping the future of financial management and supporting our scientific and security missions.
The Controller Division is seeking to hire highly motivated, energetic, and customer-focused Accounting Assistant 4 to join the Accounts Payable and Disbursements Group supporting the Vendor Master File Team. The Accounts Payable and Disbursements group supports LANL's multi-billion vendor payment operation, ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely processing of financial obligations. The group maintains financial controls through invoice validation, tax compliance, vendor master integrity, and audit preparedness while supporting a diverse supplier base and internal stakeholders. The selected candidate will report to the Vendor Master File Manager and will provide support to the mission of the group by performing detailed invoice validation across 2-, 3-, and 4-way match transactions to prevent duplicate payments, overcharges, and fraud. This position may be rotated across functional teams within the group or division to support operational needs and perform other related duties as assigned within the same job level. This position requires the selected candidate to be onsite at Management's request and/or as needed.
Key Responsibilities:
- Oversees vendor onboarding, profile updates, and validations in accordance with federal and institutional compliance requirements.
- Maintains accurate and complete vendor records, including IRS documentation (W-9/W-8), OFAC screening, and entity classifications.
- Partners with Accounts Payable, Procurement, and Compliance to maintain a centralized, secure, and audit-ready supplier database.
- Supports tax compliance and audit readiness through documentation standards, periodic vendor file reviews, and timely resolution tracking.
- Verifies cost allocations, purchase order accuracy, and approval hierarchies to ensure alignment with financial policies and contract terms.
- Collaborates with buyers, cost account managers, and vendors to resolve invoice discrepancies, match exceptions, and processing bottlenecks.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Accounting Experience
- Knowledge and experience in accounting principles, accounts payable bookkeeping or similar. Experience working with a large organization.
Technology
- Experience or ability to learn and use the various financial software programs and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). Intermediate or advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
Customer Service
- Proven strong customer service and interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with all levels of employees, vendors and management. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Problem Solving
- Knowledge and experience researching, gathering, analyzing data, summarizing results, resolving problems and issues both independently and as a team member.
Organizational Skills
- Demonstrated experience organizing and prioritizing tasks with the ability to work effectively under pressure with frequent interruptions and changing priorities. Proven record of high productivity, accuracy and attention to detail.
Communication, Organization, and Collaboration
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to independently manage priorities and projects.
- Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with experience presenting complex financial data in an understandable way.
- Proven ability to work under strict deadlines, adapt to shifting priorities, and maintain accuracy and accountability.
- Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with customers, staff, and stakeholders while providing exceptional customer service.
- A dependable team player who thrives in both independent and collaborative environments
Education/Experience
- Position requires a minimum of 3 years' related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. At this level, additional training, certification, and/or education may be expected, such as college level business courses.
Desired Qualifications:
- Exerience using Oracle Accounts Payable, Ariba, S4/HANA and other Financial systems.
- Knowledge of Lab structure and administrative policies and procedures
- College level coursework in accounting or equivalent combination of relevant education and professional level work experience
Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation):
Work Environment:
Work Location: The work location for this position is telework and is located in Los Alamos. Telework is defined as working from offsite but within 2hours ground commute of this location. Reporting onsite may be periodically necessary. All work locations are at the discretion of management and can change at any time with appropriate notice.
Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.
Note to Applicants:
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
- PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
- Dental and vision insurance
- Free basic life and disability insurance
- Paid childbirth and parental leave
- Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
- Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
- Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
- Onsite gyms and wellness programs
- Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Additional Details
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.
New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.