AP Specialist (Onsite – St Louis, MO)

The primary responsibilities of an AP Specialist at our company include preparing and managing client billings, collaborating with the account team to ensure seamless budget management, monitoring aged receivables, processing accounts payable invoices, supporting bi-monthly check runs, and setting up new vendor accounts. This role is integral to maintaining smooth financial operations and ensuring timely payments.

To become an AP Specialist at our St. Louis location, you should have 2+ years of relevant experience and a bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field, although the degree is preferred but not strictly required. Strong attention to detail, excellent time management, and exceptional communication skills are also essential.

Successful AP Specialists in our company demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills, are proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, and have knowledge of project management software. They also excel in communication and teamwork, ensuring positive and effective interactions with colleagues, vendors, and clients.

The work environment for an AP Specialist in St. Louis is a vibrant and supportive one. You will work onsite five days a week in Clayton, MO, where you’ll collaborate closely with the VP of Finance/HR and other team members. The atmosphere is fast-paced yet friendly, making it an excellent place to develop your skills and establish meaningful relationships.

Our organization values professional development and offers various opportunities for growth for AP Specialists. Employees are encouraged to pursue additional training, attend workshops, and take on more responsibilities that can lead to career advancement within the finance team.

When answering this question, highlight specific experiences where you managed the accounts payable process, including how you verified invoices, reconciled discrepancies, and ensured timely payments. Discuss any software or tools you used and how you collaborated with vendors to resolve issues.

In your response, explain your approach to managing overdue invoices, such as setting reminders, prioritizing follow-ups, and communicating effectively with clients or vendors. Mention any strategies you've implemented to improve collections and your comfort level in negotiations if necessary.

Share your methods for maintaining accuracy in financial reporting, such as double-checking entries, maintaining organized documentation, using software tools for verification, and collaborating with internal teams to validate data. Demonstrating your attention to detail is key.

Discuss your approach to prioritizing tasks by assessing urgency and importance. Mention any tools or techniques you use such as task lists or prioritization matrices to handle multiple responsibilities while ensuring deadlines are met.

Provide a specific example detailing the steps you took to investigate discrepancies, communicate with vendors, and ultimately resolve the issue. Emphasize your problem-solving skills and how this experience helped you grow in your role.

Share the software applications you have experience with, such as ERP systems, Spreadsheets, or dedicated accounts payable programs. Highlight your level of proficiency and how these tools help streamline processes and improve efficiency.

Discuss your experience managing budgets, monitoring expenditures, and creating client billing reports. Offer examples of how you partnered with teams to ensure adherence to budgetary constraints and your success in delivering accurate billing information.

Explain your approach to establishing strong relationships, which may include regular communication, transparency in billing practices, and responsiveness to inquiries. Highlight how these relationships contribute to smoother processes and overall success.

Share your perspective on the challenges faced as an AP Specialist, such as dealing with high-volume processing or managing vendor relationships. Discuss your approaches to overcoming these challenges and maintaining productivity.

In your answer, connect your career goals with the values and objectives of the company. Discuss your enthusiasm for the role, your interest in collaborating with the finance team, and how you can contribute to the organization's success.