AR/AP Specialist job description.
An AR/AP Specialist manages both accounts receivable and accounts payable functions, processing customer invoices and collections alongside vendor bills and payment runs. The role keeps the general ledger accurate and cash flow visible, and is common at small and mid-sized organizations that combine both functions into a single position.
The AR/AP 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: AR/AP Specialist Reports to: Accounting Manager or Controller
An AR/AP Specialist manages both accounts receivable and accounts payable functions, processing customer invoices and collections alongside vendor bills and payment runs. The role keeps the general ledger accurate and cash flow visible, and is common at small and mid-sized organizations that combine both functions into a single position.
- Generate and send customer invoices and track outstanding balances
- Process incoming payments and apply them to the correct accounts
- Follow up on overdue receivables and resolve billing disputes
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.
2 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
5 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Accounting 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.
- Generate and send customer invoices and track outstanding balances
- Process incoming payments and apply them to the correct accounts
- Follow up on overdue receivables and resolve billing disputes
- Review and code vendor invoices for accuracy and approval
- Process payment runs (checks, ACH, wire) within vendor terms
- Reconcile AR and AP subledgers against the general ledger
- Maintain vendor and customer records and documentation
- Prepare aging reports for management review
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- 2+ years of combined accounts receivable and accounts payable experience
- Proficiency with accounting software and spreadsheets
- Strong attention to detail and numerical accuracy
- Understanding of basic accounting principles and reconciliation
- Associate's degree in accounting or finance
- Experience with ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, QuickBooks)
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the AR/AP 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 AR/AP Specialist job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The mid 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 (Accounting 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.
- Why do some employers combine AR and AP into one role?
- Smaller finance teams often merge both functions to keep headcount lean, since the day-to-day work of invoicing, collecting, and paying bills draws on similar accounting skills.
- What separates this role from a full-charge bookkeeper?
- An AR/AP Specialist focuses specifically on receivables and payables, while a full-charge bookkeeper also owns payroll, financial statements, and month-end close.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
Accounts Payable Specialist
An Accounts Payable Specialist processes and tracks outgoing payments to vendors and suppliers, ensuring invoices are accurate and paid on time.
Accounts Receivable Specialist
An Accounts Receivable Specialist manages incoming customer payments, invoicing, and collections to support healthy company cash flow.
Accounting Specialist
An accounting specialist handles day-to-day financial transactions such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger entries.
This AR/AP 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.