Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Accounts Payable Coordinator
💰 $48,000 - $65,000
🎯 Role Definition
The Accounts Payable Coordinator plays a crucial role in maintaining financial accuracy and operational efficiency within an organization. This position is responsible for managing vendor invoices, ensuring timely payments, reconciling accounts, and supporting financial reporting. Acting as a bridge between procurement, accounting, and finance, the AP Coordinator ensures compliance with company policies and financial regulations while maintaining positive vendor relationships.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Accounts Payable Clerk
- Accounting Assistant
- Finance Associate
- Administrative Coordinator
Advancement To:
- Senior Accounts Payable Specialist
- Accounts Payable Supervisor
- Accounting Manager
- Finance Analyst
Lateral Moves:
- Accounts Receivable Coordinator
- Payroll Coordinator
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Process, verify, and reconcile invoices, ensuring compliance with company policies and tax regulations.
- Match purchase orders, receiving documents, and vendor invoices to validate accuracy before payment.
- Prepare and execute weekly, bi-weekly, and month-end payment runs, including ACH, wire, and check payments.
- Maintain vendor records, ensuring accurate W-9 data and up-to-date banking information.
- Review and code invoices to the appropriate general ledger accounts and cost centers.
- Reconcile accounts payable transactions and resolve discrepancies promptly.
- Assist in month-end and year-end closing processes, including accruals and reporting.
- Monitor aging reports to manage outstanding balances and avoid overdue payments.
- Communicate with internal departments and vendors to resolve payment and billing issues.
- Support audits by providing documentation, reconciliations, and explanations as needed.
- Ensure compliance with internal controls, SOX requirements, and financial policies.
- Collaborate with procurement and accounting teams to streamline the purchase-to-pay process.
- Assist in the implementation and optimization of AP automation systems and ERP tools.
- Maintain organized digital and physical records of invoices, payments, and correspondence.
- Generate and analyze AP reports to identify trends, exceptions, and process improvement opportunities.
- Verify and process employee expense reimbursements in accordance with company policy.
- Respond to vendor inquiries in a professional and timely manner, maintaining positive relationships.
- Support 1099 reporting, vendor tax compliance, and year-end reconciliations.
- Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance accuracy and efficiency within the AP function.
- Collaborate with finance and treasury teams on cash flow forecasting and disbursement scheduling.
Secondary Functions
- Support ad-hoc financial analysis and reporting requests.
- Contribute to process documentation and standard operating procedures.
- Assist in special finance or accounting projects as assigned.
- Participate in system upgrades, integrations, or audits related to accounts payable.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Proficiency with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Workday, or NetSuite.
- Strong knowledge of accounts payable principles, GAAP, and internal controls.
- Advanced Excel skills, including VLOOKUPs, pivot tables, and data validation.
- Experience with invoice imaging, OCR tools, and electronic payment systems.
- Familiarity with 1099 reporting and vendor tax compliance processes.
- Ability to reconcile complex accounts and manage high-volume transactions.
- Strong data entry accuracy and numerical aptitude.
- Knowledge of expense management and purchase order systems.
- Understanding of cash flow management and AP metrics.
- Competence in preparing and analyzing financial reports.
Soft Skills
- Excellent organizational and time management skills.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to handle confidential information with integrity.
- Problem-solving mindset with a focus on continuous improvement.
- Collaborative team player with cross-department coordination skills.
- Adaptability to changing business processes and technology.
- Self-motivated and proactive in managing workload and deadlines.
- Customer service orientation for vendor and internal stakeholder interactions.
- Analytical thinking with a process-oriented approach.
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
Associate degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration
Preferred Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Accounting
- Finance
- Business Administration
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range:
2–4 years of experience in accounts payable or general accounting
Preferred:
Experience in a corporate or shared service environment, with exposure to ERP systems and financial reporting processes.
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