Accounts Payable and Tax Manager

The East-West Center (EWC) promotes better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific through cooperative study, research, and dialogue. Established by the U.S. Congress in 1960, the Center serves as a resource for information and analysis on critical issues of common concern, bringing people together to exchange views, build expertise, and develop policy options.

The Center’s 21-acre Honolulu campus, adjacent to the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, includes conference facilities, three residence halls, and an office building that houses research, program, and administrative activities. The Center also has an office in Washington, D.C., that provides accessibility to US, regional government stakeholders, and program partners with innovative training, analytical and dialogue exchange, and public diplomacy products to meet US policy priorities and expressed needs in the Indo-Pacific region.

Our Finance team is currently seeking an Accounts Payable and Tax Manager who can provide exceptional leadership and organization to the Center's disbursing operations. This position provides strategic guidance and manages critical functions including vendor payments, student and employee reimbursements, and other outbound financial transactions. Additional duties include the supervision and training of staff, managing workflows and deliverables with our established financial systems, and partnering with internal and external stakeholders to support financial integrity and service excellence.

• Models appropriate behaviors and professional standards of conduct to ensure a high-performance, customer service-oriented work environment that supports the Center’s mission, objectives, and values.
• Oversees all disbursement transactions and activities, ensuring payments are processed in an accurate and timely manner. Assumes standard transactional duties alongside Disbursing staff during unusual or busy periods.
• Oversees processing of payments in accordance with organizational policies and contractual obligations. Ensures payments are allowable and appropriate in accordance with applicable federal and state regulations, tax withholding requirements, and with the established terms and conditions set forth.
• Monitors staff output to maintain service levels and the progression of departmental projects and activities. Serves as the point of contact for complex discrepancies and issues that require additional research. Escalates critical problems to the supervisor for guidance and direction.
• Oversees the organization and maintenance of both physical and digital disbursing files and records including documents related to reportable vendor, participant, or employee payments, executes file archival processes timely and in accordance with audit standards.
• Prepares and distributes federal and state tax forms as required by tax regulation authority.

• Recommends, maintains, and enforces internal controls both within the unit and across the Center to safeguard Center assets and ensure compliance with applicable regulations and audit standards.
• Ensures work and deliverables adhere to federal, state, and Center guidelines (e.g., grant compliance, tax reporting requirements, and procurement policies).
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge with federal and state agency disbursing regulations, federal travel, VISA, and IRS regulations, including the timely filing of W-2, 1099s, and other required reports. Communicates regulation changes and ensures staff are properly educated on how to apply changes towards their daily work.
• Provides technical and administrative support to the finance team during internal and external audits, including documentation and corrective action implementation in response to audit findings.
• Provides counsel and direction to programs regarding the classification and processing of expenditures related to travel arrangements, per diem allowances, foreign currency conversions, and other related travel expenses.
• Assists in the development of Center policies and procedures as it relates to disbursement, reimbursement,…