Accounts Payable Accountant Jobs in the United States

Accounts Payable Accountant Jobs Overview

Accounts payable accountants maintain accuracy in a company's accounts payable ledgers, process payments in a timely manner and verify the submitted payment amounts. Occasionally, you contribute to managing cash flow by producing spending reports and checking payments against business records. Most accounts payable accountant jobs are in the financial services, healthcare, retail, technology, and manufacturing sectors.

Here are some common duties for accounts payable accountants:

• processing invoices
• performing financial analysis
• assessing and recording payments
• using accounts payable software
• reconciling transactions
• tracking and managing expense reports
• responding to vendor invoices
• reconciling credit card accounts
• negotiating service and payment terms
• investigating and resolving outstanding balances
• improving payment processes

Accounts payable accountants typically work full-time in office settings, with possible overtime during busier times of the year, like quarterly audits and tax season. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 4% growth rate for this job sector over the next few years.

To work as this type of accountant, you'll need a bachelor's degree in accounting or a closely related subject. Many employers also favor those who are Certified Public Accountants.

Salary for Accounts Payable Accountant Jobs

A general accountant position earns a salary ranging from $52,746 to $90,172 a year. The job has a median annual income of $68,475. The annual salary for accounts payable accountants is usually higher in cities like New York, NY, and Los Angeles, CA.

Wondering how much you can make with your accounting skill set? If so, use Monster's Salary Tool to explore salary ranges for accountants in different cities across the nation.

Finding Your Ideal Accounts Payable Accountant Job

Establishing career goals as an accounts payable accountant will benefit your job search substantially. Achieving certifications, acquiring specialized skills, or advancing to a higher position are all attainable objectives.

Tips for finding a job that matches your career goals and preferences:

• Think about your professional goals and how they relate to the position.
• Find a job that allows you to move up the corporate ladder whether by taking on more responsibility or becoming a manager.
• Think about how well your interests and passions mesh with the requirements of the position.
• Consider whether the role is a good fit for your skills.
• Evaluate whether the values and culture of the organization align with your own.

Application Advice for Accounts Payable Accountants

Several steps are involved in the application process for accounts payable accountant jobs. The first step typically involves responding to a job posting with your resume and cover letter.

Preparing the Application

Before applying, confirm that you have the necessary abilities and experience by checking the job description. Keep an eye out for certain qualifications, such as using accounting software, being familiar with financial rules, and having excellent attention to detail. Also, be sure to follow any special directions or prerequisites the company provides, including obtaining a certain qualification or having relevant work experience.

For most accounts payable accountant jobs, highlight the following qualifications:

• problem-solving skills
• invoice processing
• analytical skills
• proficiency in accounting software
• organizational skills
• account reconciliation
• data entry

Create a Powerful Resume

You have several resume format options to choose from. Choosing a functional resume will provide an overview of your accounting skills. With a chronological format, you'll detail your years of accounting experience.

Maintaining clarity, concision, and organization is crucial while designing a resume for accounts payable accountant jobs. A goal statement or synopsis of your most relevant work experience should serve as the basis of your resume. After that, include areas for your work experience, talents, schooling, and certificates.

Highlight your ability to reconcile accounts effectively. Make use of bullet points to outline your duties and accomplishments in prior positions, with an emphasis on measurable outcomes whenever feasible. Think about adding a new area for relevant technical skills or software expertise.

Certain companies may request examples of your work to gauge your competence and appropriateness for the position. If so, include a "work samples" section where you showcase your work from past roles, such as financial reports, reconciliations, or assessments.

To assist the employer in comprehending the relevance of each sample, consider giving a short explanation or background. If you can, try to make the examples easily reviewable by providing them in a professional format, like PDF documents.

Including relevant resume keywords is a smart idea, regardless of the resume style you choose. This will ensure that your resume is visible to hiring managers who use applicant tracking systems. Such keywords include:

• finance
• financial reporting
• bank reconciliation
• invoice processing
• tax
• account reconciliation
• financial analysis
• customer service
• general ledger

Creating a standout resume is simple when you use the Monster Professional Resume Writing Service. You'll receive a professionally designed resume that showcases your accounting expertise and includes keyword optimization. You can also use this accountant resume sample to help create your own.

Make Your Cover Letter Stand Out

Employers often ask for cover letters as a way to learn more about your background, interests, and goals for the position. Your cover letter is a great place to address any gaps in your work history or discrepancies in your resume. It's usually best to keep your finance cover letter to one page.

To ensure the cover letter helps you stand out from the other candidates, it should emphasize how well you know accounting software, financial rules, and basic accounting concepts. It should also highlight your skill in accurately recording and entering data as well as your capacity to reconcile accounts.

If you have any accounting certifications, list them in your cover letter. Popular certifications that can make you more favorable in the eyes of hiring managers for accounts payable accountant jobs include:

• Certified Management Accountant
• Certified Public Accountant
• Certified Internal Auditor
• Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst
• Certified Fraud Examiner
• Enrolled Agent
• Chartered Accountant

Submit the Application

Numerous employers use Monster to find and hire people for accounts payable accountant jobs. As a job seeker, all you need is an email address to sign up, create a free profile, and submit your application via Monster.

Monster does much more than allow you to search a vast database of job openings and submit your application. By making your profile public, you open the door for recruiters to approach you about opportunities you may not have otherwise known about.

Application Follow-Up

Many factors affect how long it takes to hear back after applying for accounts payable accountant jobs. One to three weeks after application submission is the usual time frame for a response. If you don't hear anything within this time frame, send a follow-up message.

How to Follow Up on Your Application

Your options for sending a follow-up message for accounts payable accountant jobs include a handwritten note, a personalized video, or a custom email. Email follow-up messages are usually the most convenient. You can check the job ad to find the hiring manager's email address or call the company's HR department if you don't see it there.

Interview Tips for Accounts Payable Accountant Jobs

You'll likely have to go through one or two rounds of interviews for an accounts payable accountant job although this can vary depending on the employer and the complexity of the hiring process. In the first round, you may undergo a traditional interview with a hiring manager or human resources representative. This interview focuses on your qualifications, skills, and fit for the role.

Second-round interviews for accounts payable accountant jobs typically involve meeting with additional team members, such as senior accountants or department heads, to further evaluate your suitability for the position. First- and second-round interviews can vary in their approaches, with some being more competency-based while others are more behavioral-based.

Before the Interview

When confirming the time and place of the interview, ask about its format. If you know it's going to be a competency-based interview, you can use the following questions to practice ahead of time:

• Can you explain your experience with accounts payable processes?
• What steps do you take to ensure accuracy when processing invoices?
• What is one of the most challenging accounts payable issues you've had to deal with?
• What is your process for prioritizing tasks when handling multiple invoices and payments at the same time?
• Could you tell me about a time when you helped streamline accounts payable processes?

If the interview uses more of a behavioral-based approach, use these practice questions to prepare yourself:

• How do you handle meeting tight deadlines for payment processing?
• Can you explain a time when you had to communicate with vendors about payment discrepancies?
• How do you prefer to communicate with other departments to streamline accounts payable processes?
• Can you describe a mistake you made when processing payments and how you corrected it?

During the Interview

One of the best ways to ace a behavioral-based interview is to use the STAR method, in which you relate a situation, task, action, and result. You can also use these interview tips to improve your chances of getting a job offer:

• Demonstrate your knowledge of accounting software, such as SAP, Oracle, or QuickBooks.
• Showcase your understanding of financial regulations.
• Highlight your strong attention to detail by mentioning your ability to identify and rectify errors in accounts payable records.
• Emphasize your ability to handle multiple invoices.
• Communicate your teamwork and collaboration skills.

After the Interview

Sending a thank-you note the day after the interview gives you the opportunity to reaffirm your interest in the job. You can also include details about your skills and qualifications to remind the hiring manager of your ability to effectively fill the role. If you have any special accounting certifications, make sure to mention them in the thank-you note.

Send the thank-you note to the interviewer's email address. You can usually find this in the job ad or by contacting the employer's HR department.

Responding to Job Offers

There are several key factors to consider when evaluating a job offer for an accounts payable accountant role. Taking time to carefully consider these factors will help you pick a job that aligns with your professional goals and career preferences.

• opportunities for career advancement
• training and support
• company's reputation for ethical practices
• required duties
• company culture and work environment
• salary, benefits, and bonuses
• location and commute

Career Paths for Accounts Payable Accountants

Accounts payable accountants often rise through the ranks of their accounting department, eventually becoming controllers, corporate accountants, or accounts payable managers. These individuals are responsible for a wider range of tasks, including accounts payable and other areas of financial reporting and analysis.

You may also choose to specialize in specific areas of accounting, like financial planning, tax accounting, or auditing. These roles often require special certifications.

It's not uncommon for accounts payable accountants to branch out from the typical accounting career path and try financial consulting or business research. Your solid grasp of accounting concepts and financial management makes you extremely valuable in many other fields.

Related Professions

You can apply your skills in finance, analysis, communication, accounting software, and time management to many related professions.

• accounts payable analyst
• accounts payable specialist
• payroll accountant
• cost accountant
• treasury analyst