Accounts Payable Specialist

What You’ll Do:

The Accounts Payable Specialist is responsible for managing a range of accounts payable and operational accounting activities, ensuring vendors, landlords, and service providers are paid accurately and on time. This role supports high-volume invoice processing, payment execution, and financial recordkeeping across a multi-entity environment.

The position partners closely with Accounting, Operations, and external vendors to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance of financial transactions. Responsibilities may span vendor payments, lease-related expenses, property taxes, and accrual support, with flexibility to support evolving team priorities.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties:

Invoice & Payment Processing

• Receive, review, and process a high volume of invoices in accordance with company policies and deadlines
• Perform invoice validation, including matching to supporting documentation (e.g., contracts, purchase orders,
• or approvals)
• Schedule and execute vendor payments via check, ACH, wire, or other approved methods
• Monitor payment activity to ensure timeliness and accuracy across multiple entities

Vendor & Lease Coordination

• Serve as a point of contact for vendors and landlords, resolving billing discrepancies and payment inquiries
• Process lease-related expenses, including base rent, CAM (Common Area Maintenance), and overage billings
• Partner with internal teams to validate lease terms, schedules, and supporting documentation
• Maintain accurate vendor records, including W-9s and payment details

Reconciliation & Financial Accuracy

• Reconcile accounts payable activity, including vendor statements and internal records
• Identify and resolve discrepancies, outstanding balances, and aging items
• Maintain accurate and audit-ready documentation supporting AP transactions
• Support bank, credit card, or related reconciliations as needed

Month-End & Accrual Support

• Support month-end close activities by preparing documentation and assisting with accrual-related processes
• Assist in identifying expenses incurred but not yet invoiced to ensure proper period recognition
• Partner with Accounting to support accurate financial reporting and cutoff procedures

Property Tax & Compliance Support

• Process and track property tax bills and payments across multiple entities and jurisdictions
• Maintain documentation for tax notices, filings, and payments
• Support reconciliation of property tax balances and contribute to system initiatives (e.g., Avalara)

Documentation, Controls & Process Improvement

• Maintain organized digital records, invoice documentation, and audit support within document management systems
• Ensure compliance with internal controls and accounting policies
• Contribute to process improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability
• Support cross-training and assist across AP functions based on team needs

General

• Perform other duties and support additional projects as assigned to meet team and organizational needs

What Success Looks Like

• Invoices and payments are processed accurately and on time with minimal escalations, demonstrating strong attention to detail and ownership
• Lease-related expenses and property taxes are aligned with supporting documentation and contract terms, with a proactive and accountable approach to resolving discrepancies
• Reconciliations are clean, supported, and timely, with a willingness to investigate issues and follow through to resolution
• Documentation is complete and audit-ready, reflecting consistency, organization, and pride in work
• Strong collaboration supports an efficient and accurate month-end close, with a positive, team-oriented mindset ·
• Demonstrates adaptability and a solution-oriented approach in a fast-paced, evolving environment

What We Expect From You

The team at Meritage is made up of dedicated, hard-working individuals who exemplify the core values of Meritage. The team has high expectations for themselves and anyone who desires to join them. They also have a lot of fun together and truly enjoy working with one another. It is a team where excellence is expected and accomplishments are celebrated. To join this team, you’ll need to demonstrate the same high standards. You’ll also need the following qualifications:

• Associate’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• 3–5 years of Accounts Payable or related accounting experience
• Invoice Processing
• Vendor Communication
• Payment Runs
• Microsoft Excel - Intermediate
• Microsoft Dynamics/Great Plains a plus

What You Can Expect From Us

As a member of Meritage, you will enjoy the following benefits:

• Competitive base salary and bonus plans
• Health insurance, including medical, dental, vision, and HSA options
• Paid Time Off and Holidays
• 401k with company match
• Meal discounts at all Meritage affiliated restaurants
• Plus various additional perks and benefits

Who We Are

Meritage Hospitality Group, headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI, is one of the nation’s premier restaurant operators with more than 350 restaurants operating in 15 states. We are one of the largest Wendy’s franchisees and just opened our first Bojangles restaurant. In addition to quick service, we have developed West Michigan casual dining concepts The Blue Porch and Morning Belle. Each of our concepts deliver a distinct dining experience for our guests and a work environment rich with opportunity for our approximately 10,000 team members.

At Meritage, we are Inspired by Opportunity and Achieve Success Through Service. We live by our five Core Values – Uncommon Hospitality, Run It Like You Own It, Collective Genius, The Sky is the Limit, and We Love What We Do.

Now is the time to join!

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Inclusion is at the heart of our business.