Accounts Payable Specialist

THE OPPORTUNITY

As the Analyst, Accounts Payable, you will play a key role in supporting the accuracy, efficiency, compliance, and continuous improvement of Chipotle's Accounts Payable operations. This position is responsible for analyzing AP processes and controls, identifying and resolving complex invoice and payment issues, monitoring operational performance, and developing solutions that improve accuracy, efficiency, and the overall partner and vendor experience. You will serve as a subject matter resource for Accounts Payable processes and systems, providing analytical and operational support to the AP team while helping identify opportunities for process improvement, automation, and stronger controls. The Analyst will support system enhancements and testing, audit and compliance activities, vendor and invoice-related escalations, reporting and analytics, and the ongoing development of AP Coordinators. This role works closely with Accounting, Operations, Restaurant Support Center partners, technology teams, vendors, and other cross-functional stakeholders to investigate issues, validate financial information, communicate findings, and drive issues through resolution. The Analyst will also support initiatives designed to modernize Accounts Payable through enhanced technology, automation, data analytics, and emerging AI capabilities.

WHAT YOULL DO

• Perform recurring Quality Assurance (QA) reviews of key Accounts Payable processes and transactions to evaluate accuracy, policy compliance, control effectiveness, and adherence to established procedures.
• Analyze QA results and operational trends to identify root causes, training opportunities, control gaps, and potential process improvements; communicate findings and recommended actions to AP leadership.
• Develop, maintain, and analyze Accounts Payable dashboards, metrics, and reporting to provide management with visibility into operational performance, trends, exceptions, aging, workload, and areas requiring attention.
• Research and resolve complex or escalated Accounts Payable issues, including invoice processing, payment discrepancies, vendor setup and maintenance, workflow exceptions, system issues, and other nonroutine transactions.
• Serve as an Accounts Payable subject matter resource for Coordinators and business partners, providing guidance on processes, systems, policies, and issue resolution.
• Partner with the Accounts Payable team to monitor invoice and payment processing and proactively identify issues that could impact accuracy, timeliness, vendor relationships, or restaurant operations.
• Conduct, validate, troubleshoot, and document User Acceptance Testing (UAT) for Oracle Cloud updates, patches, enhancements, implementations, and other Accounts Payable technology changes.
• Evaluate system functionality and process changes from an Accounts Payable perspective, documenting defects, validating expected results, and partnering with technical and functional teams through resolution.
• Support the evaluation and implementation of automation, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies that improve Accounts Payable efficiency, accuracy, controls, and scalability.
• Analyze existing processes and recommend opportunities to reduce manual work, eliminate unnecessary touchpoints, strengthen controls, and improve the effectiveness of highly automated Accounts Payable workflows.
• Review and monitor Oracle Advanced Financial Controls applicable to Accounts Payable; research identified exceptions, document findings, coordinate remediation when appropriate, and report results to management.
• Audit vendor setup and maintenance activity for compliance with established policies, procedures, internal controls, and applicable tax-reporting requirements.
• Support 1099 information reporting, including researching federal and state-specific requirements, validating vendor and payment data, resolving exceptions, and supporting annual reporting activities.
• Complete and coordinate internal and external audit requests, including researching transactions, compiling supporting documentation, explaining Accounts Payable processes and controls, and assisting with remediation of identified issues.
• Lead or support process improvement initiatives and special projects, including documenting current-state processes, identifying root causes and opportunities, developing proposed solutions, coordinating testing, and measuring results following implementation.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, standard operating procedures, job aids, and training materials to support consistent execution of Accounts Payable processes.
• Provide ongoing training and coaching to Accounts Payable Coordinators, validate work results, and reinforce established processes and controls.
• Support month-end close activities, including researching and resolving invoice and payment exceptions, reviewing outstanding or aging transactions, supporting account and subledger reconciliations, validating cutoff and completeness, and providing requested Accounts Payable reporting and analysis.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners to investigate and resolve issues impacting Accounts Payable and communicate findings, risks, dependencies, and recommended next steps.
• Identify recurring issues and use data and root-cause analysis to develop scalable solutions rather than transactional workarounds.
• Support Accounts Payable leadership with ad hoc analysis, operational initiatives, system enhancements, control improvements, and other projects as assigned.

WHAT YOULL BRING TO THE TABLE

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• 2-4 years of relevant experience in Accounts Payable, Accounting, Finance, Audit, or related functions preferred.
• Strong understanding of Accounts Payable processes, including invoice processing, payment processing, vendor maintenance, reconciliations, internal controls, and period-end activities.
• Experience working within a large-scale or highly automated Accounts Payable environment preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to investigate complex issues, identify root causes, evaluate alternatives, and recommend practical solutions.
• Ability to compile, analyze, and interpret large data sets and translate findings into meaningful insights and recommended actions.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including experience using data to perform reconciliations, trend analysis, exception analysis, and operational reporting.
• Experience with Oracle Cloud ERP or comparable enterprise financial systems preferred.
• Familiarity with workflow, invoice automation, reporting, analytics, or financial-control technologies preferred.
• Familiarity with 1099 information reporting and vendor tax compliance requirements.
• Experience supporting system testing, process implementations, automation initiatives, or continuous improvement efforts preferred.
• Strong understanding of internal controls and the ability to recognize potential financial, operational, and compliance risks.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and independently drive issues and projects through completion with appropriate escalation when necessary.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly explain Accounts Payable processes, issues, findings, and recommendations to both financial and non-financial partners.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships and influence outcomes across teams without direct authority.
• Curiosity and a continuous-improvement mindset, with an interest in leveraging automation, analytics, and AI-enabled capabilities to improve financial operations.
• Strong attention to detail while maintaining the ability to understand broader process impacts and business objectives.

WHO WE ARE

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) is cultivating a better world by serving responsibly sourced, classically-cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. There are nearly 3,500 Chipotle restaurants in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Kuwait and it is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants in North America and Europe. Chipotle is ranked on the Fortune 500 and is recognized on Fortune's Most Admired Companies 2024 list and Time Magazine's Most Influential Companies. With over 120,000 employees passionate about providing a great guest experience, Chipotle is a longtime leader and innovator in the food industry. Chipotle is committed to making its food more accessible to everyone while continuing to be a brand with a demonstrated purpose as it leads the way in digital, technology and sustainable business practices. For more information or to place an order online, visit

PAY TRANSPARENCY

A reasonable estimate of the current base pay range for this position is $22.59$28.37. You are also eligible for annual cash bonuses and equity awards based upon performance and other factors. Actual compensation offered may vary depending on skill level, experience, and/or education. Chipotle offers a competitive total rewards package, which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k, sick leave, vacation time, and much more. Visit for more details