Baltimore, MD — Comptroller Bill Henry and Deputy Comptroller Erika McClammy announced today that the Department of Accounts Payable (AP) has formally moved from the Department of Finance to the Office of the Comptroller.

“This is an important day for the Office of the Comptroller,” Deputy Comptroller Erika McClammy said. “AP is a welcome addition and incorporating their important function will further the Comptroller’s goal of ensuring that government processes are increasingly transparent and accountable.”

The groundwork for the department’s transition began last summer with the City Council’s support and passage of 22-2042 Charter Amendment – Accounts Payable. This legislation was signed into law by Mayor Scott in August, authorizing Question J – which established AP’s transition to the Office of the Comptroller, to appear on the ballot in November’s General Election. City voters overwhelmingly supported this measure

Accounts Payable becomes one of five agencies serving under the Office of the Comptroller, joining the Departments of Audits, Real Estate, Telecommunications, and the Municipal Post Office. 

AP will continue its mission critical work of focusing on vendor payments, while the City’s financial accounting and payroll functions remain under the Department of Finance.

We are looking forward to taking our experience modernizing the Board of Estimate's processes over the last two years and applying it to the City's Accounts Payable efforts," Comptroller Bill Henry said. "We will also need to work closely with the Administration on their procurement reform efforts to optimize the performance of our vendor payment pipeline and we will be relying on clear communication and cooperation to manage this transition successfully."

In the next few months, Accounts Payable will launch four strategic initiatives that strive to improve the customer experience, transparency, and accountability in the City’s vendor payment process:

1. Comprehensive review of Workday’s functionalities, workflows, and policies that touch AP.
2. Virtual Supplier training, with the Bureau of Procurement to assist suppliers in navigating the City’s new Workday financial system. AP will also provide step by step instructions on the Department’s website.
3. Virtual City agency training, including weekly meetings, beginning in February, to support agency efforts to clear internal backlogs of vendor invoices and ensure prompt processing of new invoices.
4. System updates to permit weekly open, public reports listing all checks cut by AP for the preceding week.

Comptroller Henry continues, “A top performing Accounts Payable department, with a strong focus on customer service, is critical to effective government.”

Suppliers may submit an invoice to City by two methods:

1. Workday Supplier Self Service Portal; or
2. Via email to City-Payables@Baltimorecity.gov Prospective suppliers may visit the Baltimore Prospective Supplier Registration Site to become an active supplier and gain access to the Self Service Portal.

Suppliers needing assistance may contact our helpdesk at (443) 984-1000 or email workdaysuppliers@baltimorecity.gov.