Accounts Payable Specialist Resume examples & templates

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Copyable Accounts Payable Specialist Resume examples

Ever wonder who makes sure every vendor invoice gets paid correctly and on time? That's where Accounts Payable Specialists come in – the financial detectives who scrutinize documentation, spot discrepancies, and keep cash flowing smoothly. In today's business world, these specialists do far more than just "pay the bills." They're evolving into strategic partners who identify cost-saving opportunities, prevent fraud, and help businesses maintain positive supplier relationships. The role has changed dramatically in recent years, with a 37% increase in AP departments implementing automation tools since 2019 (which means fewer paper cuts and more meaningful analysis!).

While accuracy and attention to detail remain foundational skills, today's AP specialists need tech savvy to navigate specialized software, critical thinking to resolve complex payment issues, and communication skills to coordinate with vendors and internal teams. As businesses continue shifting toward fully digital payment processes, AP specialists who can bridge the gap between traditional accounting principles and emerging financial technologies will find themselves increasingly valued. The future of accounts payable isn't just about processing payments – it's about transforming financial data into business intelligence.

Junior Accounts Payable Specialist Resume Example

MELISSA PARKER

Memphis, TN 38103 | (901) 555-2117 | melissa.parker@email.com | linkedin.com/in/melissa-parker

Detail-oriented Accounts Payable Specialist with 1+ year of experience processing invoices and managing vendor relationships; Quick learner who reduced payment processing time by 18% while maintaining accuracy above 99.5%. Proficient in QuickBooks and Excel with strong analytical skills and a knack for identifying discrepancies.

EXPERIENCE

Accounts Payable Specialist | Riverfront Financial Services | Memphis, TN | June 2023 – Present

  • Process 75+ vendor invoices weekly, verifying accuracy and resolving discrepancies before payment
  • Maintain vendor files and documentation, ensuring compliance with company policies
  • Reconcile vendor statements and manage the resolution of payment issues
  • Implemented a new filing system that reduced document retrieval time from 5 minutes to under 1 minute
  • Participate in month-end close activities, including AP aging reports and account reconciliations

Accounting Intern | Tennessee Credit Union | Memphis, TN | January 2023 – May 2023

  • Assisted with data entry of invoices and payment processing in QuickBooks
  • Helped reconcile vendor statements and researched discrepancies
  • Organized and filed payment documentation
  • Supported the accounting team with special projects during tax season

Administrative Assistant (Part-time) | Jackson & Associates Law Firm | Memphis, TN | September 2021 – December 2022

  • Handled basic bookkeeping tasks including tracking office expenses and petty cash
  • Managed incoming invoices and prepared them for payment approval
  • Maintained organized filing system for financial records and client information
  • Answered phones and scheduled appointments for 3 attorneys

EDUCATION

Associate of Applied Science in Accounting | Memphis Community College | Memphis, TN | May 2022

  • GPA: 3.7/4.0
  • Relevant Coursework: Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Payroll Accounting, Business Communications
  • Student member of Business & Finance Club

CERTIFICATIONS

QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor Certification (in progress, expected completion August 2024)
Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel | March 2023

SKILLS

  • Accounts Payable Processing
  • Invoice Verification & Coding
  • Vendor Management
  • Payment Processing
  • QuickBooks Online
  • Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP, PivotTables)
  • Data Entry (65 WPM)
  • Problem Resolution
  • Document Management
  • Attention to Detail

ADDITIONAL

Volunteer Treasurer | Memphis Animal Rescue | 2022 – Present
Fluent in Spanish (conversational)

Mid-level Accounts Payable Specialist Resume Example

Melissa Reyes

Chicago, IL 60614 | (312) 555-8742 | melissa.reyes@email.com | linkedin.com/in/melissareyes

Professional Summary

Detail-oriented Accounts Payable Specialist with 5+ years of experience managing invoice processing, payment reconciliation, and vendor relations. Known for streamlining AP workflows that reduced processing times by 32% at current company. Skilled in multiple accounting software platforms with expertise in identifying and resolving payment discrepancies before they impact vendor relationships.

Experience

Senior Accounts Payable Specialist | Meridian Manufacturing, Inc. | Chicago, IL | June 2020 – Present

  • Process 300+ vendor invoices weekly with 99.7% accuracy rate, managing a monthly AP volume of $3.2M
  • Implemented electronic invoice approval system that cut processing time from 6 days to 4 days and saved approximately $41,000 annually in labor costs
  • Maintain vendor master file with 400+ active accounts, ensuring accurate tax information and payment terms
  • Reconcile vendor statements to identify discrepancies and resolve payment issues before month-end closing
  • Train and mentor 2 junior AP clerks on proper invoice coding and approval workflows

Accounts Payable Clerk | Lakeside Healthcare Group | Evanston, IL | August 2018 – May 2020

  • Processed and coded invoices for 5 medical facilities with combined monthly AP volume of $1.8M
  • Reduced past-due invoices by 47% through creation of aging report tracking system
  • Managed weekly check runs and ACH payment processing, ensuring timely vendor payments
  • Assisted with month-end close process, including accruals and account reconciliations
  • Collaborated with Purchasing dept to resolve PO discrepancies and missing receipts (those were always a nightmare!)

Accounting Assistant | BlueStream Office Solutions | Chicago, IL | March 2017 – July 2018

  • Handled AP/AR functions including invoice processing, check preparation, and payment posting
  • Matched invoices to purchase orders and receiving documents for 75+ vendors
  • Maintained digital and physical filing systems for accounting documentation
  • Responded to vendor inquiries regarding payment status and discrepancies

Education

Associate of Applied Science in Accounting
Harold Washington College, Chicago, IL – 2016

Certifications

Accounts Payable Specialist (APS) – Institute of Finance & Management, 2019
QuickBooks ProAdvisor Certification – Intuit, 2021

Skills

  • Accounting software: SAP, QuickBooks, Microsoft Dynamics GP, Concur
  • Invoice processing and 3-way matching
  • Vendor management and communication
  • Payment processing (ACH, wire transfers, checks)
  • Month-end close procedures
  • Excel (VLOOKUP, PivotTables, macros)
  • Tax compliance (1099 preparation)
  • Expense report auditing
  • Document management systems
  • AP workflow optimization

Senior / Experienced Accounts Payable Specialist Resume Example

Margaret “Peggy” Chen

Portland, OR | (503) 555-7219 | peggychenap@gmail.com | linkedin.com/in/peggychen

Dedicated Accounts Payable Specialist with 9+ years of progressive experience managing full-cycle AP operations. Skilled in streamlining processes, reducing payment errors, and implementing cost-saving initiatives. Known for exceptional attention to detail and strong vendor relationships that helped negotiate early payment discounts worth $73K annually at current position. Proficient in multiple ERP systems, including SAP, Oracle Financials, and QuickBooks Enterprise.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Senior Accounts Payable Specialist | Cascade Manufacturing Group | Portland, OR | 06/2019 – Present

  • Manage $12.7M annual AP workflow while supervising a team of 3 AP clerks across 4 regional offices
  • Implemented automated three-way matching process that reduced invoice processing time from 6 days to 1.5 days
  • Negotiated early payment terms with top 17 vendors, generating $73,458 in annual discounts
  • Led migration from legacy system to SAP, creating standardized procedures that reduced month-end closing time by 38%
  • Conduct regular audits of payment records, identifying and recovering $27K in duplicate payments in 2022 alone
  • Collaborate with IT to develop custom report templates that improved visibility into aging payables

Accounts Payable Specialist | Evergreen Healthcare Services | Vancouver, WA | 08/2016 – 05/2019

  • Processed 1,500+ monthly invoices for multi-facility healthcare organization with $40M annual revenue
  • Managed vendor master database for 300+ active suppliers, ensuring accurate tax info and payment terms
  • Reduced late payment penalties by 92% through improved workflow tracking and prioritization
  • Reconciled vendor statements and resolved discrepancies, recovering $18K in billing errors during 2018
  • Created AP desk manual documenting all critical processes, which became the standard for new hire training

Accounts Payable Clerk | Pacific Northwest Credit Union | Portland, OR | 03/2014 – 07/2016

  • Processed invoices, expense reports, and check requests for 12 branch locations
  • Maintained filing system for 7,000+ annual documents, ensuring compliance with 7-year retention policy
  • Assisted with monthly account reconciliations and preparation of financial reports
  • Implemented digital scanning solution that reduced paper usage by 65% and improved document retrieval time

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor of Science in Accounting | Portland State University | 2013

Accounts Payable Specialist (APS) Certification | Institute of Finance & Management | 2018

SAP Financial Accounting Certification | 2020

TECHNICAL SKILLS

  • ERP Systems: SAP, Oracle Financials, QuickBooks Enterprise, Microsoft Dynamics
  • MS Office Suite (advanced Excel – VLOOKUP, pivot tables, macros)
  • Document Management: DocuWare, Adobe Acrobat Pro
  • Automated payment platforms: AvidXchange, Bill.com
  • Data visualization: Power BI, Tableau (basic)

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

  • Full-cycle accounts payable management
  • Vendor relationship management & negotiation
  • Month-end close processes
  • Team leadership & training
  • Process improvement & automation
  • Payment compliance & tax reporting (1099 preparation)

How to Write an Accounts Payable Specialist Resume

Introduction

Landing that Accounts Payable Specialist job starts with a resume that showcases your financial accuracy, attention to detail, and vendor management skills. I've reviewed thousands of AP resumes over my career, and the difference between those that get interviews and those that don't often comes down to how well candidates highlight their specific contributions—not just their daily tasks. Your resume needs to tell the story of how you've made a difference in past roles, whether that's by catching duplicate invoices that saved $4,300 or streamlining a payment process that cut processing time by 37%.

Resume Structure and Format

Keep your resume clean and scannable—just like a well-organized invoice batch! Most hiring managers spend less than 30 seconds on first review, so make those seconds count:

  • Stick to 1-2 pages max (1 page for under 5 years of experience)
  • Use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Garamond (10-12pt)
  • Include clear section headers with plenty of white space
  • Save as a PDF unless specifically asked for another format
  • Filename should include your name + "AP Specialist Resume" (e.g., JaneDoe_APSpecialistResume.pdf)

Profile/Summary Section

Start with a punchy 3-4 line summary that captures your AP expertise. This isn't just about years of experience—it's about your specific strengths and what makes you different from the other 50 applicants.

Pro Tip: Tailor your summary to match the job posting! If they're looking for someone who can handle high-volume invoice processing, highlight your experience managing 500+ monthly invoices. If they need someone with specific software expertise, put that front and center.

Example: "Detail-oriented Accounts Payable Specialist with 4+ years streamlining payment processes in manufacturing environments. Reduced invoice processing time from 9 days to 3 days by implementing electronic approval workflows. Proficient in SAP, Oracle, and QuickBooks with strong vendor relationship management skills."

Professional Experience

This is where many AP specialists fall short—listing only basic responsibilities instead of achievements. For each position, include:

  • Company name, location, and dates (month/year)
  • Your title and a brief description of the company (if not well-known)
  • 4-6 bullet points highlighting accomplishments, not just duties
  • Specific metrics whenever possible (volumes, accuracy rates, cost savings)

Turn "Processed invoices" into "Processed 200+ weekly invoices with 99.7% accuracy rate, identifying $8,245 in duplicate charges in FY2022." Show impact, not just tasks!

Education and Certifications

List your education in reverse chronological order. For AP roles, relevant certifications can be just as valuable as degrees:

  • Certified Accounts Payable Professional (CAPP)
  • Certified Accounts Payable Associate (CAPA)
  • QuickBooks Certification
  • SAP Certification
  • Microsoft Excel Specialist

If you're early in your career, include relevant coursework in accounting, finance, or business administration.

Keywords and ATS Tips

Most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes before a human ever sees them. To make it past these digital gatekeepers:

  • Include exact keywords from the job description (invoice processing, payment reconciliation, vendor management)
  • List software by specific names (Oracle NetSuite, SAP FICO, Microsoft Dynamics GP)
  • Avoid tables, headers/footers, and unusual characters
  • Don't try to "keyword stuff"—integrate terms naturally

Industry-specific Terms

Sprinkle these terms throughout your resume (but only if you have actual experience with them):

  • Three-way matching
  • Payment reconciliation
  • Purchase order processing
  • Vendor statement reconciliation
  • Month-end close procedures
  • 1099 preparation
  • TIN matching
  • ACH/EFT payments

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on tasks instead of achievements
  • Listing every AP duty you've ever performed (focus on what's relevant to the job)
  • Typos or grammar errors (fatal in a field where accuracy is paramount!)
  • Omitting metrics that demonstrate your effectiveness
  • Using generic statements like "good communication skills" without examples

Remember, your AP resume is a chance to show you're more than just someone who processes invoices—you're a financial detective, efficiency creator, and guardian of company funds. Make every word count!

Soft skills for your Accounts Payable Specialist resume

  • Cross-functional collaboration (working effectively with accounting teams, vendors, and department managers on payment discrepancies)
  • Diplomatic communication when resolving invoice disputes or negotiating payment terms
  • Stress management during month-end closing periods and audit preparations
  • Detail orientation without sacrificing processing efficiency (I’ve maintained a 99.4% accuracy rate while processing 200+ weekly invoices)
  • Discretion when handling sensitive financial information and vendor relationships
  • Adaptability to changing accounting software and payment systems – I’ve transitioned through 3 major system implementations

Hard skills for your Accounts Payable Specialist resume

  • NetSuite AP module (7+ years)
  • Oracle Financial Cloud & QuickBooks Enterprise
  • ACH payment processing & electronic funds transfers
  • Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, nested IF functions)
  • 3-way invoice matching techniques
  • Automated invoice processing with AvidXchange
  • Vendor master file maintenance
  • Tax compliance documentation (1099 preparation)
  • SAP Concur expense management