Accounts Payable Specialist

Ledgent is partnering with a well-established client in the distribution industry to identify an experienced Accounts Payable Specialist for a direct-hire opportunity in Clearwater. This position offers the chance to join a collaborative accounting team where you'll play an integral role in managing vendor payments, maintaining accurate financial records, supporting month-end close activities, and ensuring the efficient flow of accounts payable operations.

This role is ideal for an accounting professional who enjoys working in a fast-paced distribution environment, has strong attention to detail, and thrives in a position that combines transactional accounting responsibilities with cross-functional collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

• Process and code vendor invoices, including corporate overhead expenses, recurring charges, prepaid expenses, and accrual-related transactions.
• Manage weekly payment runs through checks, ACH transactions, and domestic and international wire transfers.
• Perform vendor setup and maintenance, including collection and review of W-9 documentation, vendor verification, and compliance requirements.
• Reconcile corporate credit card activity and review employee expense reports for accuracy and policy compliance.
• Assist with month-end close activities, account reconciliations, accruals, and financial reporting support.
• Partner closely with the Controller on special projects, process improvements, and accounting analysis.
• Process inventory-related invoices utilizing three-way matching between purchase orders, receiving documentation, and vendor invoices.
• Investigate and resolve invoice discrepancies, pricing variances, quantity differences, and receiving issues by partnering with Purchasing and Operations teams.
• Maintain accurate vendor master records and ensure timely posting of accounts payable transactions.
• Support internal controls and ensure compliance with company accounting policies and procedures.
• Provide backup support for Accounts Receivable and other accounting functions as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting required.
• 3+ years of Accounts Payable experience within a distribution, manufacturing, wholesale, or inventory-based environment.
• Strong understanding of three-way matching, purchase orders, inventory invoicing, and vendor management.
• Experience handling high-volume invoice processing and payment runs.
• Knowledge of month-end close procedures, account reconciliations, and accrual accounting.
• Experience processing ACH, wire transfers, and vendor payments.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• ERP system experience required.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively across multiple departments.
• Highly organized with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, or military or veteran status. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.