In this paper, we characterize chordal and perfect zero-divisor graphs of finite posets. Also, it is proved that the zero-divisor graphs of finite posets and the complement of zero-divisor graphs of finite 0-distributive posets satisfy the Total Coloring Conjecture. These results are applied to the zero-divisor graphs of finite reduced rings, the comaximal ideal graph of rings, the annihilating ideal graphs, the intersection graphs of ideals of rings, and the intersection graphs of subgroups of cyclic groups. In fact, it is proved that these graphs associated with a commutative ring R with identity can be effectively studied via the zero-divisor graph of a specially constructed poset from R.