Accounts Payable Specialist

Location
Austin,TX

Description

ESC has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Accounts Payable Specialist to manage supplier accounts and resolve complex payment and invoice issues for our client in Austin, TX . This 1-year contract role serves as an escalation point for supplier inquiries that require additional research, problem-solving, and direct communication with business partners.

The Accounts Payable Specialist will work with suppliers and an offshore accounts payable team to investigate invoice discrepancies, reconcile vendor statements, research purchase order issues, and resolve payment-related concerns. The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of accounts payable workflows, excellent analytical and computer skills, and the ability to manage changing priorities in an evolving environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage assigned supplier accounts and maintain productive vendor relationships through timely, professional communication.
• Serve as an escalation point for complex supplier inquiries that require additional investigation or direct support from a U.S.-based business partner.
• Research and resolve invoice discrepancies, payment issues, purchase order mismatches, and other accounts payable concerns.
• Obtain, review, and reconcile supplier statements to identify outstanding invoices, discrepancies, credits, and payment issues.
• Investigate electronic data interchange (EDI) invoice errors and maintain the associated invoice troubleshooting queue.
• Review and research credit memos, shortages, and pricing discrepancies.
• Create and resolve shortage and pricing claims as needed.
• Research purchase orders, invoices, receipts, and supporting documentation to identify discrepancies and determine appropriate resolutions.
• Obtain and review proof-of-delivery documentation to investigate supplier claims and invoice issues.
• Partner with the offshore accounts payable team to resolve escalated issues and improve the handling of complex supplier inquiries.
• Apply knowledge of the purchase order lifecycle, invoice matching, and three-way matching processes to identify and resolve payment exceptions.
• Maintain accurate documentation and follow established accounts payable procedures.
• Prioritize incoming inquiries and active invoice problems while maintaining a target turnaround time of 48 hours for active invoice issues.
• Adapt to evolving systems, procedures, and workflows while identifying opportunities to simplify processes and improve efficiency.

Required Qualifications

• 4-5 years of experience in accounts payable, invoice processing, vendor accounting, or a related accounting operations role.
• Strong understanding of accounts payable workflows, including invoice processing, payment discrepancies, and supplier statement reconciliation.
• Experience managing supplier accounts and communicating directly with vendors to resolve complex issues.
• Knowledge of purchase order processes, invoice matching, and three-way matching.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to investigate discrepancies and determine appropriate resolutions.
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience working with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to de-escalate difficult supplier interactions.
• Ability to work independently, manage ambiguity, and adjust to changing priorities.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in retail accounts payable or high-volume supplier payment operations.
• Familiarity with EDI transactions and troubleshooting invoice exceptions.
• Experience researching credit memos, pricing claims, shortages, and proof-of-delivery documentation.
• Experience working with ERP systems and purchase order management tools.
• Advanced Excel skills, including macros, and familiarity with reporting or data analysis tools such as Tableau or similar platforms.
• Experience navigating large datasets and identifying trends or recurring issues.
• Familiarity with AI-enabled tools and an interest in learning new technologies to improve workflows.
• Experience collaborating with offshore teams or supporting escalated inquiries across multiple teams.
• Experience identifying process improvements and simplifying recurring workflows.