Accounts Payable Specialist job description.
An Accounts Payable Specialist processes and tracks outgoing payments to vendors and suppliers, ensuring invoices are accurate and paid on time. They reconcile vendor statements, resolve payment discrepancies, and maintain organised records to support the company's cash management.
The Accounts Payable Specialist job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 8 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Accounts Payable Specialist Reports to: Accounts Payable Manager or Controller
An Accounts Payable Specialist processes and tracks outgoing payments to vendors and suppliers, ensuring invoices are accurate and paid on time. They reconcile vendor statements, resolve payment discrepancies, and maintain organised records to support the company's cash management.
- Review and process vendor invoices for accuracy and approval
- Match invoices to purchase orders and receiving documents
- Process payments via check, ACH, or wire within agreed terms
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
8 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
4 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
6 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Accounts Payable Manager or Controller
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Review and process vendor invoices for accuracy and approval
- Match invoices to purchase orders and receiving documents
- Process payments via check, ACH, or wire within agreed terms
- Reconcile vendor statements and resolve payment discrepancies
- Maintain organised accounts payable records and documentation
- Respond to vendor inquiries regarding payment status
- Assist with month-end accounts payable close and reporting
- Monitor aging reports and flag overdue or disputed invoices
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- 1+ years of accounts payable or general accounting experience
- Proficiency with accounting software and spreadsheets
- Strong attention to detail and organisational skills
- Basic understanding of accounting principles
- Associate's degree in accounting or finance
- Experience with ERP systems (e.g. SAP, NetSuite)
- Familiarity with three-way invoice matching processes
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Accounts Payable Specialist job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Accounts Payable Specialist job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The entry band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Accounts Payable Manager or Controller) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- What's the difference between Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable roles?
- Accounts Payable Specialists manage money the company owes to vendors, while Accounts Receivable Specialists manage money owed to the company by customers.
- What qualifications are typically required?
- Most employers look for prior bookkeeping or accounts payable experience along with familiarity with common accounting or ERP software.
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This Accounts Payable Specialist job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.