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Accounts Payable Resume Examples can help you structure a professional and compelling resume that highlights your skills and experience in managing invoices, payments, and financial transactions effectively. When you’re aiming to secure a position in accounts payable, having a well-crafted resume can be the key to landing an interview. Accounts payable professionals play a crucial role in any organization’s finance department, ensuring timely payment of invoices, managing vendor relationships, and maintaining accurate financial records. Whether you’re starting out in the field or looking to advance your career, creating a strong resume that effectively showcases your skills, experience, and qualifications is essential.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- Introduction
- What Does an Accounts Payable Professional Do?
- Best Format for Accounts Payable Resume Example
- How to Write an Accounts Payable Resume
- Accounts Payable Resume Templates
- Conclusion
We’ll also introduce Entri’s Practical Accounting Course, which is designed to help you develop the skills you need to excel in accounting, including in accounts payable roles.
What is an Accounts Payable Professional?
An accounts payable professional handles the company’s outgoing payments. Their main job is to make sure all vendor, supplier and service provider invoices are processed correctly and paid on time. Here are some of the tasks:
- Invoice Processing: Receiving, verifying and reconciling invoices.
- Payment Processing: Making payments by check, ACH or wire.
- Vendor Management: Setting up vendors and suppliers, resolving payment issues and answering questions.
- Record Keeping: Keeping accurate financial records for accounts payable transactions.
- Compliance: Making sure the company is following payment terms and internal financial policies.
Good accounts payable professionals are detail oriented, organized and can work under tight deadlines. These should be reflected in your resume.
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Best Format for Accounts Payable Resume Example
Choosing the right format for your resume is important. The format should showcase your skills, experience and qualifications in a way that’s easy for recruiters and hiring managers to read and understand. Here are a few common resume formats you can use:
1. Reverse Chronological Format
This is the most common format and is best if you have a solid work history with relevant experience in accounts payable. It lists your work history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position, then earlier roles. This format is best for those with continuous employment in the industry.
2. Functional Format
If you don’t have much experience in accounts payable or are career changing, the functional format might be a better choice. This format emphasizes skills over work history so it highlights your skills in invoice processing, vendor management and payment reconciliation rather than your chronological work history.
3. Combination Format
This format combines elements of both reverse chronological and functional formats. It focuses on your skills and also lists your work history. The combination format is good for someone who has strong skills and significant work experience.
Accounts Payable Resume
Your accounts payable resume should be brief but detailed. Here’s how to do it:
1. Contact Info
At the top of your resume put your name, phone number, email and LinkedIn or portfolio if applicable. Make sure your contact info is current and professional.
2. Summary or Objective
Example:
“Accounts Payable Specialist with 5+ years experience managing vendor relationships, processing invoices and maintaining financial records. Proven process improvement and discrepancy reduction, looking to bring skills to [Company Name].”
3. Key Skills
List accounts payable skills from the job description. Both technical and soft skills:
- Invoice verification
- Vendor management
- Payment processing (ACH, wire transfers, checks)
- Account reconciliation
- ERP systems (SAP, Oracle)
- Microsoft Excel
- Attention to detail
- Time management
4. Work Experience
List your work experience in reverse chronological order. Focus on accomplishments and accounts payable responsibilities.
Example:
Accounts Payable Specialist
[Company Name] | [Dates of Employment]
- Processed 500+ invoices per month for multiple vendors.
- Reconciled vendor accounts and resolved discrepancies in a timely manner, reduced outstanding payments by 20%.
- Worked with procurement and finance team to ensure timely and accurate payments, adhered to payment terms and policies.
- Implemented automated invoice processing, increased efficiency by 30%.
5. Education
List your education. If you have certifications related to accounts payable (e.g. accounting courses, bookkeeping certifications) list those too.
6. Certifications and Training
Here you can add any additional certifications that enhance your resume. Consider:
- Certified Accounts Payable Professional (CAPP)
- Microsoft Excel Specialist Certification
- QuickBooks Certification
- ERP System Training (SAP, Oracle)
7. Additional Sections (Optional)
Languages, Volunteer Work, Professional Associations etc.
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Accounts Payable Resume Templates
Using a professional resume template can simplify the process of creating your resume and ensure that it is well-organized and visually appealing. Here’s a template for an Accounts Payable resume with examples:
[Your Name] [Address] [Phone Number] [Email]OBJECTIVE:
Experienced and detail oriented Accounts Payable professional looking to bring [X] years of experience to [Company Name].
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
[Company Name], [Location]Accounts Payable | [Start Date] – [End Date]
- Processed 500+ invoices a week, accuracy and on time payments
- Reconciled vendor statements and resolved issues, reduced payment errors by 15%
- Created a digital filing system, reduced document retrieval time by 30%
- Managed vendor relationships and negotiated payment terms, saved $50,000 a year
SKILLS:
- QuickBooks, SAP, Microsoft Excel
- Detail oriented and analytical
- GAAP knowledge and financial regulations
- Communication and problem solving skills
EDUCATION:
[University Name], [Location]Bachelors of Science in Accounting | [Graduation Date]
CERTIFICATIONS:
• Certified Accounts Payable Professional (CAPP), [Year]
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
• English and Spanish speaker
• Volunteer Treasurer for local non-profit
Remember to fill in the blanks with your own information, and tailor to the job description of the position you are applying for.
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Conclusion
A good accounts payable resume is key to getting the job. Focus on your key skills – invoice processing, vendor management, record keeping – and make sure your resume matches the job description. Follow the tips and formats in this guide and you’ll increase your chances of getting your dream accounts payable job.
Also if you want to improve your accounting skills or further your training in financial management, consider enrolling in Entri’s Practical Accounting Course. This course covers in-depth accounting principles and practices including accounts payable and receivable management. With practical exercises and expert guidance you’ll be sharpening your skills and employability.
Explore Entri’s Practical Accounting Course today and take the next step in advancing your career.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I put on an accounts payable resume?
Invoice processing, vendor management, account reconciliation, ERP system proficiency (e.g., SAP, Oracle).
Should I have a resume summary or objective?
Yes, a resume summary or objective can give a quick overview of your qualifications and career goals. Tailor it to the job you’re applying for to make it more effective.
How do I structure my accounts payable resume?
The most common is the reverse chronological format where you list your work experience starting with your most recent position. However, functional or combination format can also be suitable depending on your work history and experience level.
How can I make my resume stand out?
Focus on quantifiable achievements, e.g. reducing payment discrepancies or improving invoice processing times. Use a professional resume template that’s easy to read.
What certifications can I add to my accounts payable resume?
Certifications like Certified Accounts Payable Professional (CAPP) or training in ERP systems (SAP, Oracle) can add value to your resume and showcase your expertise.