Accounts Payable Specialist job description
Cloutra team · Last updated October 12, 2026
An accounts payable specialist processes a company's bills and makes sure suppliers are paid correctly and on time. Use this accounts payable specialist job description template to attract qualified candidates, and adjust the duties and requirements to fit your company.
Accounts Payable Specialist responsibilities include:
- Reviewing, coding and entering vendor invoices
- Preparing and processing payments on schedule
- Reconciling vendor accounts and resolving discrepancies
Job brief
We are looking for an Accounts Payable Specialist to process our vendor invoices and payments and keep our payables records accurate.
In this role you will review and enter invoices, match them to purchase orders and receipts, prepare payment runs and reconcile vendor statements. You will work closely with the accounting team, with purchasing and with our suppliers.
To succeed, you should be accurate with numbers, organized with paperwork and comfortable following up with vendors and colleagues to get questions resolved.
Responsibilities
- Review vendor invoices for accuracy and proper approval
- Match invoices to purchase orders and receiving documents
- Code invoices to the correct accounts and enter them in the accounting system
- Prepare and process check, ACH and wire payments on schedule
- Reconcile vendor statements and resolve discrepancies
- Set up new vendors and keep vendor records current
- Answer payment questions from vendors and colleagues
- Process employee expense reports and company card transactions
- Help with month-end close, including accruals and the payables aging report
- Keep organized records to support audits and year-end tax forms
Requirements and skills
- Proven experience as an Accounts Payable Specialist or in a similar accounting role
- Good understanding of basic accounting principles and the payables process
- Hands-on experience with accounting or ERP software and spreadsheets
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy with data entry
- Ability to organize work and meet payment and close deadlines
- Clear and professional communication with vendors and colleagues
- Discretion when handling confidential financial information
- Associate degree in accounting, finance or a related field, or equivalent experience
Hiring an accounts payable specialist?
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Frequently asked questions
What does an accounts payable specialist do?
An accounts payable specialist receives and checks vendor invoices, enters them in the accounting system and pays them on time, while keeping the company's payables records accurate.
What are the duties and responsibilities of an accounts payable specialist?
Typical duties include reviewing and coding invoices, matching them to purchase orders, preparing payment runs, reconciling vendor statements, maintaining vendor records, processing expense reports and helping with month-end close.
What makes a good accounts payable specialist?
A good accounts payable specialist is accurate, organized and trustworthy, notices errors before a payment goes out, and follows up politely until an open question is settled.
Who does an accounts payable specialist work with?
Accounts payable specialists usually report to an accounts payable manager, accounting manager or controller. They work with the accounting team, with purchasing and department managers who approve invoices, and with vendors.