Accounts Payable Clerk: Career Guide

What does an Accounts Payable Clerk do?

Accounts payable clerks process supplier invoices, ensure payments are made on time, and keep accurate records of financial transactions. They liaise with suppliers and resolve billing discrepancies.

Key duties & responsibilities

Accounts Payable Clerks in the Accounting field handle essential tasks and contribute significantly to achieving team and organizational goals. Here are some of their primary responsibilities:

Invoice Processing

• Processes invoices and ensures timely payments
• Reviews invoices for accuracy and verifies details

Vendor Management

• Maintains positive relationships with vendors
• Handles vendor inquiries and resolves payment issues

Record Maintenance

• Organizes and updates accounts payable records
• Reconciles accounts to ensure accuracy

How to become an Accounts Payable Clerk

Launching a career as an Accounts Payable Clerk requires a specific education. We outline the essential qualifications, skills, and steps to enter this field.

Qualification

• High school diploma or GED
• Experience in invoice processing or bookkeeping
• Familiarity with financial software systems

Requirements & skills

• Pays close attention to detail
• Communicates effectively
• Continually develops knowledge of accounting systems and rules, along with an understanding of business activities
• Routinely verifies all work meticulously and efficiently to ensure accuracy
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel
• Must be organized and capable of multitasking

Accounts Payable Clerk salary guide

Wondering what Accounts Payable Clerks earn? Explore salary ranges by experience, and career tips to maximize your earning potential.

Job	Branch	Avg. US salary
Accounts Payable Clerk	Accounting	41,000 USD

The average salary for an Accounts Payable Clerk in the U.S. is approximately $41,000 per year and can vary from entry-level to senior positions. Accounts Payable Clerks may receive a wide range of benefits.

Accounts Payable Clerk salary career steps

Level	Experience	Avg. salary per year
Entry Level	0-2 years	$30,750
Mid Level	3-5 years	$36,900
Experienced	6-10 years	$41,000
Senior	11+ years	$45,100
Veteran	20+ years	$51,250

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Payscale, expert interviews

How to advance your career

Accounts Payable Clerks typically start their careers in entry-level positions within the accounting department. With experience, they can progress to senior clerk positions, managing larger volumes of invoices and more complex payment systems.

Advancement may include roles such as Accounts Payable Supervisor or Accounts Payable Manager, where they oversee the operations of the entire accounts payable department. Further progression can lead to broader financial administrative roles such as Controller or Director of Finance, depending on their education, certifications (like the Certified Accounts Payable Professional or Certified Accounts Payable Associate), and overall performance.

Continuing education and professional development play a crucial role in moving up within the accounting field, enabling clerks to take on more strategic financial responsibilities over time.

Typical work environment

Accounts Payable Clerks work primarily in office settings, typically within the accounting or finance departments of corporations, government agencies, or non-profit organizations.

Their work involves a lot of time spent at desks using computers and other office equipment to manage invoices, process payments, and perform reconciliations. The environment is generally quiet to moderate in noise level, suitable for tasks requiring concentration and attention to detail.

Most Accounts Payable Clerks work full-time during regular business hours, although overtime might be necessary during end-of-month or end-of-fiscal-year closings or during annual audit periods. Remote work options are increasingly common for clerks, allowing for flexibility in work locations and hours, depending on the employer's policies and the nature of the duties.