Accounts Payable Accountant Resume examples & templates
Copyable Accounts Payable Accountant Resume examples
Ever wondered who ensures vendors get paid on time and financial records stay spotless? That's the world of Accounts Payable Accountants – the unsung heroes who keep businesses financially accountable. More than just "bill payers," today's AP professionals juggle complex payment systems, fraud prevention protocols, and increasingly automated workflows that transform traditional paper-pushing into strategic financial management. The field is evolving rapidly, with nearly 67% of accounts payable departments implementing some form of automation technology in the past three years alone.
The job combines technical accounting skills with surprising detective work (tracking down those missing invoice numbers can feel like solving a mystery!) and relationship management. While many companies still use legacy systems, the shift toward cloud-based AP solutions means professionals with both accounting fundamentals and tech adaptability are in high demand. For those who love creating order from chaos and finding satisfaction in balanced books, an Accounts Payable career offers stability, growth opportunities, and the chance to become an essential part of any organization's financial backbone.
Junior Accounts Payable Accountant Resume Example
Emma Nguyen
Phone: (415) 555-8976 • Email: emma.nguyen@email.com • San Francisco, CA 94110
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/emmanguyen • Available for remote positions
Detail-oriented Accounts Payable Accountant with 1+ year of experience processing invoices and managing vendor relationships in a high-volume environment. Quick learner who adapted QuickBooks procedures to eliminate duplicate payments and reduce processing time by 17%. Seeking to leverage my accounting degree and growing AP expertise to contribute to an organization with complex accounting needs.
EXPERIENCE
Accounts Payable Specialist – Westridge Manufacturing, Inc., San Francisco, CA
June 2022 – Present
- Process 175+ weekly vendor invoices through full AP cycle from receipt to payment while maintaining 99.4% accuracy rate
- Reconcile vendor statements, research and resolve discrepancies, and maintain vendor files for 40+ active suppliers
- Implement new three-way matching process that reduced payment errors by 23% and improved vendor satisfaction
- Prepare weekly payment batches of $50K-$175K and coordinate approval processes with department managers
- Assist with month-end close activities including accrual journal entries and AP aging reports
Accounting Intern – Bayview Community Credit Union, Oakland, CA
January 2022 – May 2022
- Supported AP department by coding invoices, filing documentation, and preparing check runs twice weekly
- Assisted with bank reconciliations and helped identify $3,742 in uncashed checks requiring follow-up
- Maintained Excel spreadsheets tracking office supply expenses across 3 branch locations
- Created standardized documentation for AP processes that reduced training time for new hires
Administrative Assistant (Part-time) – Redwood Dental Group, Berkeley, CA
September 2020 – December 2021
- Handled basic bookkeeping tasks including invoice processing and expense categorization while completing degree
- Managed patient billing inquiries and coordinated with insurance companies to resolve payment issues
- Organized and digitized 3 years of financial records, improving document retrieval efficiency
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Accounting – San Francisco State University
Graduated: May 2022, GPA: 3.7/4.0
- Relevant Coursework: Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Accounting Information Systems, Taxation
- Treasurer, Accounting Students Association (2021-2022)
CERTIFICATIONS
QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor Certification – Intuit (February 2023)
Microsoft Excel Specialist – Microsoft (November 2022)
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Accounting Software: QuickBooks, SAP (basic), Xero
- Microsoft Office Suite (advanced Excel including VLOOKUP, PivotTables)
- Data analysis and financial reporting
- Three-way matching and invoice processing
- Vendor management and payment systems
- Bank reconciliations
- Month-end close procedures
- Document management systems
SOFT SKILLS
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Time management and prioritization
- Problem-solving and discrepancy resolution
- Clear communication with vendors and team members
Mid-level Accounts Payable Accountant Resume Example
Melissa J. Ramirez
mramirez82@email.com | (415) 555-7216 | Chicago, IL 60614
linkedin.com/in/melissajramirez
Detail-oriented Accounts Payable Accountant with 5+ years of experience managing invoice processing, payment reconciliation, and vendor relationships. Known for streamlining AP workflows that reduced processing time by 31% while maintaining 99.7% accuracy rates. Comfortable working across multiple accounting systems including QuickBooks, SAP, and Microsoft Dynamics.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Senior Accounts Payable Specialist | Horizon Manufacturing Group | Chicago, IL | January 2021 – Present
- Manage full accounts payable cycle for manufacturing company with $23M annual revenue, processing 650+ monthly invoices and coordinating bi-weekly payment runs of $750K+
- Implemented automated three-way matching system that cut invoice processing time from 4 days to 1.5 days on average
- Reduced late payments by 87% through development of streamlined approval routing and vendor payment schedules
- Reconcile vendor statements monthly to identify discrepancies and maintain positive supplier relationships
- Train and mentor 2 junior AP clerks, including development of standardized procedures manual
Accounts Payable Accountant | Lakeside Healthcare Services | Evanston, IL | March 2019 – December 2020
- Processed and coded 400+ monthly invoices for multi-facility healthcare provider, ensuring proper GL account classification and departmental allocation
- Collaborated with Purchasing department to resolve pricing discrepancies and negotiated early payment discounts saving approximately $28K annually
- Performed weekly check runs averaging $175K and managed ACH payment processing
- Prepared month-end accruals and reconciliations for AP sub-ledger to general ledger
AP/AR Clerk | Brightway Commercial Properties | Chicago, IL | June 2018 – February 2019
- Assisted with accounts payable and receivable functions for commercial real estate firm managing 12 properties
- Processed vendor invoices, prepared check requests, and maintained vendor files
- Responded to vendor inquiries regarding payment status and resolved discrepancies
- Helped transition from paper-based to electronic invoice processing system, reducing filing errors by 42%
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Science in Accounting | DePaul University | Chicago, IL | 2017
Certified Accounts Payable Professional (CAPP) | Institute of Finance & Management | 2020
QuickBooks Pro Advisor Certification | Intuit | 2019
SKILLS
- Accounts Payable Systems: SAP, QuickBooks, Microsoft Dynamics, AvidXchange
- Month-end Close Procedures & Financial Reporting
- Vendor Management & Contract Compliance
- Payment Processing & Cash Management
- 1099 Preparation & Tax Compliance
- Invoice Processing & Three-way Matching
- Microsoft Office Suite (Advanced Excel – VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables)
- Data Analysis & Financial Records Management
- Team Leadership & Process Improvement
- ERP Systems & Electronic Document Management
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Volunteer Treasurer, Chicago Community Garden Association (2019-Present)
Fluent in Spanish (conversational) and English (native)
Senior / Experienced Accounts Payable Accountant Resume Example
MARGARET “MAGGIE” WILSON
Los Angeles, CA 90025 • (323) 555-8174 • maggie.wilson@email.com • linkedin.com/in/maggiewilson
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Detail-oriented Accounts Payable Accountant with over 10 years of experience managing full-cycle AP operations in fast-paced environments. Proven track record of reducing payment errors by 17% and implementing process improvements that cut invoice processing time from 8 days to 3. Excel at vendor relationship management and have led multiple successful system migrations while maintaining payment accuracy above 99.2%.
EXPERIENCE
Senior Accounts Payable Specialist | Westlake Financial Partners | May 2019 – Present
- Manage full AP cycle for organization with $87M annual spend, processing 900+ monthly invoices across 142 vendors
- Reduced late payment fees by 83% through implementation of automated invoice tracking system and vendor payment schedule
- Led migration from QuickBooks to NetSuite, creating detailed procedure documentation and training 4 team members
- Reconcile vendor statements monthly with 99.7% accuracy, resolving discrepancies within 48 hours
- Coordinate monthly close process, generating aging reports and accrual documentation for Controller
- Serve as point person for annual audit, preparing supporting documentation that resulted in clean opinions for 4 consecutive years
Accounts Payable Accountant | Meridian Manufacturing Inc. | June 2016 – April 2019
- Processed and coded 500+ invoices biweekly for manufacturing company with $45M annual revenue
- Cut invoice processing time from 8 days to 3 by redesigning approval workflow and implementing digital routing system
- Managed $2.3M in weekly payment runs, ensuring accurate coding and adherence to payment terms
- Created monthly aged A/P reports and coordinated with department managers to resolve outstanding issues
- Maintained vendor master database with 98% accuracy, regularly updating payment terms and contact information
AP Clerk | Pacific Coast Healthcare | August 2013 – May 2016
- Processed invoices for 3 regional healthcare facilities, managing approximately $750K in monthly vendor payments
- Performed 3-way matching for all invoices and researched discrepancies with purchasing department
- Responded to vendor inquiries and resolved payment issues within established 24-hour timeframe
- Assisted with month-end closing procedures, including account reconciliations and journal entries
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Science in Accounting | California State University, Northridge | 2012
Certified Accounts Payable Professional (CAPP) | Institute of Finance & Management | 2018
Certification requires renewal in Dec 2024
NetSuite Financial User Certification | 2020
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- ERP Systems: NetSuite, SAP, QuickBooks, Oracle Financials
- AP Automation: Bill.com, Concur, DocuSign
- Microsoft Office Suite (advanced Excel including VLOOKUP, pivot tables)
- Data Analysis & Reporting: Crystal Reports, PowerBI (basic)
- Banking Platforms: Bank of America CashPro, Wells Fargo CEO
- Tax Compliance: 1099 preparation, sales tax reporting
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
- Full-cycle accounts payable management
- Month-end close procedures
- Vendor relationship management
- Payment batch processing
- Internal controls & compliance
- Team training & documentation
How to Write an Accounts Payable Accountant Resume
Introduction
Landing that perfect Accounts Payable (AP) role starts with a resume that speaks the language of finance departments. Having reviewed hundreds of AP resumes over the years, I can tell you that hiring managers typically spend just 7-8 seconds scanning your document before deciding whether to read further. This guide will walk you through creating a resume that not only survives that initial scan but also positions you as the ideal candidate for the job.
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your resume clean and scannable. AP roles require attention to detail, and your resume should reflect this quality from the start.
- Stick to 1-2 pages (one page for those with under 5 years of experience)
- Use a clean, professional font like Calibri, Arial, or Garamond in 10-12pt size
- Include clear section headings with consistent formatting
- Use bullet points rather than dense paragraphs
- Save your file as a PDF (unless specifically requested otherwise) to preserve formatting
- Name your file professionally: "FirstName_LastName_AccountsPayable.pdf"
Profile/Summary Section
Start with a punchy 3-4 line summary that captures your AP experience, technical skills, and what makes you valuable. This isn't where you tell them what you want – it's where you tell them what you offer.
Pro Tip: Write your summary last, after you've completed the rest of your resume. This makes it easier to extract your most impressive qualifications and achievements for this section.
Example: "Detail-oriented Accounts Payable Specialist with 4+ years managing invoice processing for manufacturing clients. Skilled in Oracle Financials and SAP, with track record of reducing processing time by 31% while maintaining 99.7% accuracy. Known for vendor relationship management and implementing process improvements."
Professional Experience
This section carries the most weight! For each role, include:
- Company name, location, and dates of employment (month/year)
- Your job title
- 5-7 bullet points highlighting responsibilities and achievements
- Quantifiable results whenever possible ($ amounts processed, % error reduction, time savings)
Strong AP bullet points start with action verbs and emphasize results:
- Processed 150+ weekly vendor invoices totaling $1.2M while maintaining 99.8% accuracy rate
- Reduced invoice processing time from 6 to 3 days by implementing new approval workflows
- Reconciled $4.3M in vendor statements monthly, resolving discrepancies within 48 hours
- Collaborated with IT to automate three manual AP processes, saving 12 hours weekly
Education and Certifications
List your highest degree first, followed by relevant certifications. For AP positions, highlight:
- Accounting or finance degrees (even associate's degrees are valuable)
- Certifications like Certified Accounts Payable Professional (CAPP)
- Training in specific accounting software (QuickBooks, SAP, Oracle, etc.)
- Continuing education courses in accounting or finance
Keywords and ATS Tips
Most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes. To pass through:
- Incorporate keywords from the job description (invoice processing, payment reconciliation, etc.)
- Include specific software mentioned in the posting (SAP, Oracle, QuickBooks, Excel)
- Mention specific processes (three-way matching, vendor management, month-end closing)
- Use standard section headings (Experience, Skills, Education) that ATS systems recognize
Industry-specific Terms
Weave these AP-specific terms throughout your resume (where truthful and relevant):
- Three-way matching
- Vendor master file maintenance
- Payment batching and EFT processing
- 1099 preparation and reporting
- Invoice coding and GL account assignment
- Purchase order verification
- Month-end accruals
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Listing duties without results (saying what you did without showing how well you did it)
- Forgetting to mention AP volume (number of invoices/dollar amounts processed)
- Omitting software proficiencies (this is often a key screening factor)
- Including outdated skills (like "proficient in Windows XP")
- Using vague statements ("good with numbers") instead of specific skills
Before/After Example
Before: "Responsible for processing invoices and handling vendor inquiries."
After: "Processed 200+ weekly invoices ($2.4M monthly) with 99.5% accuracy while resolving vendor inquiries within 24 hours, earning recognition for outstanding supplier relationships."
The difference? Specificity, metrics, and results that prove your value. That's what gets interviews!
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Accounts Payable Accountant resume
- Diplomatic communication with vendors during payment discrepancies (I’ve been known to smooth over some truly awkward situations)
- Cross-functional coordination with finance, procurement, and department heads during month-end crunch
- Detail management while juggling multiple deadlines — haven’t missed a payment window in 5+ years
- Team mentoring of junior AP staff on both technical skills and vendor relationship management
- Conflict resolution, particularly when negotiating payment terms with frustrated suppliers during cash flow constraints
- Adaptability to changing financial software systems and evolving company payment protocols
Hard skills for your Accounts Payable Accountant resume
- NetSuite AP module expertise with custom workflow creation
- Advanced Excel skills (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, macros)
- QuickBooks Pro certification (2022)
- 3-way matching invoice verification
- SAP Concur implementation experience
- Automated payment scheduling (ACH/EFT/wire transfers)
- T-account reconciliation and month-end close procedures
- Microsoft Dynamics GP 2018 with integration plugins
- 1099 tax reporting and compliance