Account Payable Specialist

The Accounts Payable department is responsible for the financial, administrative and clerical support of a company. They are in charge of making payments owed by the company to suppliers and other creditors, paying vendor invoices or bills, and recording the company’s short-term debts. This department is vital for the smooth functioning of any business entity. Accounts Payable is usually its own department in larger companies but in smaller businesses accounts payable and receivable tasks are usually combined.

To work in Accounts Payable, an employee must apply accounting principles and handle work that is analytical, evaluative, and advisory in nature and that requires an understanding of both accounting theory and practice. Professionals are expected to have the ability to pay attention to detail and enter a high volume of data. They are generally in daily communication with employers and vendors.

Accounts Payable Day-to-Day Duties

Clarify any questionable invoice items, prices or receiving signatures

Assemble and review invoices to be completed for payment

Maintain copies of vouchers, invoices or correspondence necessary for files

Type periodic reports and other records

Obtain proper information and/or data regarding invoice payments

Check vendor files for any previous payments and assign voucher numbers

Prepare vouchers listing invoice number, date, vendor address, item description, amounts and coding per accounting policies and procedures

Reconcile bank statements

Input daily bookkeeping and record keeping

Verify invoices against purchase orders and ensure goods or services were received before issuing payment to vendors