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Accounting job descriptions

Accounts Payable Specialist Job Description

The Accounts Payable Specialist plays a crucial role in managing the company's financial obligations. This position ensures timely and accurate payment of invoices, contributing to the overall financial health of the organization.
Alexandra
Linkedin
4/3/25

Accounts Payable Specialist Job Overview

Similar Job Titles

🔹Accounts Payable Specialist
🔹 AP Clerk
🔹 Payables Coordinator

Main Missions

The Accounts Payable Specialist plays a crucial role in managing the company's financial obligations. This position ensures timely and accurate payment of invoices, contributing to the overall financial health of the organization.

Key Responsabilities

✔ Process vendor invoices and ensure timely payments
✔ Reconcile accounts payable transactions
✔ Maintain vendor records and resolve discrepancies
✔ Assist in month-end closing procedures
✔ Prepare and analyze financial reports related to payables
✔ Ensure compliance with financial policies and procedures
✔ Collaborate with internal departments to resolve payment issues
✔ Manage and respond to vendor inquiries

Tools

  • ERP Systems: Manage financial data (e.g., SAP, Oracle, QuickBooks)
  • Microsoft Excel: Data analysis and reporting (e.g., Google Sheets, Zoho Sheet)
  • Invoice Processing Software: Streamline invoice management (e.g., Bill.com, Tipalti)
  • Communication Tools: Coordinate with vendors and departments (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams)

Skills

  • Attention to detail
  • Analytical thinking
  • Time management
  • Communication skills
  • Problem-solving abilities

Key vocabulary

  • Invoice: A document detailing a transaction and amount owed.
  • Reconciliation: The process of ensuring financial records match.
  • Vendor: A company or individual providing goods or services.
  • Ledger: A book or other collection of financial accounts.
  • ERP: Enterprise Resource Planning, software for business management.

Career path

An Accounts Payable Specialist can advance to roles such as Accounts Payable Manager or Financial Analyst, depending on experience and additional skills.

Salary

In the USA, salaries range from $40,000 for junior positions to $65,000 for senior roles annually.

Benefits

Common benefits in the USA include health insurance, 401(k) plans, and paid time off.


Accounts Payable Specialist Job Description

Job Title

Accounts Payable Specialist

To help you :
✅ A clear, concise sentence to describe the role
✅ The job title must be clear and reflect the role, as it's the first thing candidates see
✅ Needs to match with the keywords candidates search for on job boards and search engines.
🚫 Avoid company-specific titles.

Company Description

This section is specific to your business activity - we cannot provide you with a ready-to-use template.
To help you, here are the elements that must be included:
✅ Your mission
✅ The products and/or services that support this mission
✅ The type and number of customers you serve
✅ Your mid- and long-term goals, with concrete figures
✅ Any other ambitious projects (geographic expansion, new verticals, etc.)

💡 Bonus: Add engaging content like photos, videos, CEO podcasts, or anything else that showcases your vision and ambitions.

Job Brief

As an Accounts Payable Specialist, you will be instrumental in maintaining the financial integrity of the company by ensuring all vendor invoices are processed and paid promptly. Your role will support the finance team in achieving accurate financial reporting and compliance.

To complete this section, here are the essential elements that must be included :
✅ A clear and concise sentence describing the role
✅ Its position in the organizational chart
✅ The scope of responsibility including (if applicable) the size of the team to be managed
✅ One or two specific, long-term objectives for the position

Key Responsabilities

  • Review and verify invoices and check requests
  • Sort, code, and match invoices
  • Set invoices up for payment and process electronic transfers and payments
  • Monitor accounts to ensure payments are up to date
  • Research and resolve invoice discrepancies and issues
  • Maintain vendor files and correspond with vendors and respond to inquiries
  • Assist with month-end closing and provide supporting documentation for audits

Skills & Qualifications

🎓 Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field is preferred.

💪 Typically, 2-4 years of experience in accounts payable or a similar financial role is expected.

🎯 Main Hard Skills

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel
  • Experience with ERP systems
  • Knowledge of accounting principles
  • Familiarity with invoice processing software

🙂 Main Soft Skills

  • Attention to detail
  • Effective communication
  • Organizational skills

Conditions & Benefits

This section is specific to your company - we cannot provide you with a ready-to-use template.
To help you, here are the elements that can be included:
✅ Employment type: Full-time, part-time, freelance, contract, etc.
✅ Location: City + any location-specific benefits
✅ Work schedule: Remote, in-office, or hybrid (ideally with details on the expected balance)
✅ Salary: You can choose to provide a range or leave it unspecified.
✅ Benefits: Outline what you offer in terms of healthcare, wellness programs, parental leave, transportation stipends, and more.

💡 Tip: Work conditions are one of the most important factors for candidates when considering a job. Transparency and honesty go a long way.

Interview Process

This section is specific to your company - we cannot provide you with a ready-to-use template.
To help you, here is a typical process:
1️⃣ Initial phone screening with (Recruiter’s Name), our (Recruiter’s Title) - 30 min
2️⃣ Interview with (Hiring Manager’s Name “HM”), our (HM’s Role) - 45 min
3️⃣ Case study with (HM’s Name), our (HM’s Role) - 1 hour in person
4️⃣ Cultural fit interview with (HM’s Manager’s Name), our (Manager’s Role) - 30 min in person
5️⃣ Team meeting with (HM’s Team Name) – in person
6️⃣ Reference checks

FAQ

🔹What are the key duties of an Accounts Payable Specialist ?

The key duties include processing invoices, reconciling transactions, maintaining vendor records, and assisting in financial reporting.

🔹What teams will I collaborate with ?

You will collaborate with the finance team, vendors, and other internal departments to resolve payment issues and ensure compliance.

🔹What essential skills are required for this role ?

Essential skills include attention to detail, analytical thinking, proficiency in Excel, and experience with ERP systems.

🔹What is the typical career progression for this role ?

Career progression can lead to roles such as Accounts Payable Manager or Financial Analyst, depending on skills and experience.

🔹What educational background is preferred ?

A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field is preferred for this role.

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