Accounts Payable Manager Jobs in the United States

Accounts Payable Manager Jobs Overview

Accounts payable managers are in charge of the accounts payable department, from hiring and supervising accounts payable clerks to improving and standardizing payment procedures. In this role, you're responsible for paying suppliers and maintaining relationships with vendors, which calls for excellent leadership and strategic networking abilities. Find accounts payable manager jobs in the retail, manufacturing, healthcare, technology, finance, and insurance industries.

Accounts payable managers usually work in an accounting or a finance department. This office job generally requires a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field.

Salary for Accounts Payable Manager Jobs

Compensation for accounts payable managers ranges from $52,704 to $109,994 a year. This occupation has a median income of $74,510 per year. Two of the most in-demand locations for accounts payable manager jobs include New York City and Los Angeles.

Having certification as a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) will broaden your career opportunities and possibly increase your salary. Get a feel for your potential earnings by using Monster's Salary Tool.

Finding the Right Job for You

As an accounts payable manager, you probably want to climb the corporate ladder, take on additional responsibilities, and increase your salary. A senior accounts payable management position or a promotion to a director of finance or financial controller position might be on your list of aspirations.

Tips for finding the best accounts payable manager job include the following:

• Make sure the job descriptions you're looking at are in line with your career goals before applying.
• Try to choose a job where you can advance your career by taking on more responsibility whether that's managing a bigger team or more intricate financial matters.
• Think about things like perks, work-life balance, and business culture.
• Research the employer to learn about its credibility, work environment, and dedication to employees' professional development.

Keep an eye out for qualifications like financial analysis, leadership, and accounting software expertise in job ads for accounts payable manager jobs. Verify that your skills and experience are a good fit for the position by comparing the listed credentials with your own. Take into account any further education or credentials you may need.

Application Advice for Accounts Payable Manager Jobs

A resume and cover letter are the standard application materials for accounts payable manager roles. Creating a standout application is key to landing an interview request.

Prepare the Application

When applying, highlight your relevant talents to catch the attention of the hiring manager. Some of the top skills and abilities to include are:

• data entry
• leadership
• financial analysis
• attention to detail
• accounting software proficiency
• process improvement
• data analysis
• time management
• organization
• communication
• vendor management
• negotiation
• compliance knowledge

There might also be special instructions that you need to follow when submitting your application. For example, some employers may ask you to submit previous work samples along with your resume and cover letter to evaluate your competence and expertise with accounts payable processes.

Attach financial report samples, process improvement projects, and reports outlining your vendor negotiation tactics. Putting the examples in a PDF is often the easiest and most organized way to format and submit the information.

Write an Impressive Resume

Accounts payable manager jobs usually require several years of prior experience as an accounts payable clerk or specialist. This is why it's important to use a resume format that emphasizes your work history. The best one to use is a chronological format, which provides a clear and structured representation of your professional journey.

Here are some ways to write a competitive resume for accounts payable manager jobs:

• Emphasize your strong leadership abilities, such as team management and motivation.
• Highlight your strong financial acumen and competence in accounting software.
• Discuss your capacity to meticulously monitor complicated financial processes.
• Demonstrate your communication skills to prove you can manage vendor relationships.
• Showcase your problem-solving abilities and how you can overcome obstacles in accounts payable processes.

Many employers use applicant tracking systems to find and hire candidates for accounts payable manager jobs. These systems use keyword trackers and algorithms to sort through job applicants and recommend them to hiring managers and recruiters. Using resume keywords relevant to the position of accounts payable manager is key to getting your application noticed. A few examples of keywords you can use in your accounts payable manager resume are:

• account reconciliation
• vendor management
• financial accounting
• auditing
• management information systems
• expense reports
• invoicing

Here is an accounts payable resume example that you may use as a guide for creating your own, but keep in mind that it requires updating for the role of manager. To more easily create a resume, use Monster's Professional Resume Writing Service. You'll receive a professionally crafted resume that's specially tailored for the role of accounts payable manager and that includes all of your relevant skills and qualifications.

Create a Strong Cover Letter

Employers often ask for cover letters when recruiting for accounts payable manager jobs. This gives them a chance to assess your communication skills, professionalism, and enthusiasm for the job.

Key information to put in your cover letter:

• Start by briefly describing yourself.
• Emphasize your relevant experience and talents in accounts payable processes.
• State your genuine interest in the job.
• Outline your potential contributions to the company's success.
• Address any particular qualities or criteria specified in the job description that you meet (e.g., bachelor's degree in accounting, CPA certification, or regulatory compliance experience).

Submit the Application

Monster makes finding accounts payable manager jobs easy. All you need to do is sign up for a free account.

Our platform gives you two great ways to land your next job. A job search feature enables you to search and apply for jobs using a variety of helpful filters, or you can set your profile to public and allow recruiters to contact you.

Check out these submission tips to boost your chances of getting an interview request:

• Put your best foot forward as an accounts payable manager by tailoring the application to emphasize your most marketable qualities.
• Make sure your Monster profile is current and full of relevant information, including your substantial background in accounts payable management.
• Always use a professional format for your resume and cover letter.
• Run all application materials through a grammar and spelling checker to double-check for errors and typos.

Reasons to Follow Up

If you haven't received a response to your application, you can send a follow-up message. Make sure to wait at least a week or two after submitting the application to ensure the hiring manager has enough time to review your information. Sending a follow-up message only a day or two after submitting it can hurt your chances of getting a job.

Some benefits of sending a follow-up message include:

• reaffirms your interest in the job
• creates another avenue of communication and engagement with the employer
• gives you another chance to communicate your qualifications to the hiring manager
• shows professionalism
• provides a way to address any confusion or discrepancies in your application

Ways to Follow Up

Using creative language in your follow-up message can significantly increase your visibility to hiring managers. To make your follow-up message more interesting and memorable than the others, try using interesting language, stories, or anecdotes. You can even put the message in the form of a short video where you give a quick rundown of your skills and qualifications.

Ensure that you address your follow-up email to the individual responsible for recruiting. You can look for the email address in the job posting or contact the company's human resources department to get it.

Interview Tips for Accounts Payable Manager Jobs

Multiple interviews with different stakeholders are usually part of the hiring process for accounts payable manager jobs. At the outset, a recruiter or HR professional may conduct a preliminary interview to gauge your suitability and fundamental credentials.

Interviews with recruiting managers, financial executives, or members of cross-functional teams are commonplace in subsequent rounds; these interviews aim to assess your technical proficiency, leadership potential, and cultural compatibility. Panel interviews or presentations may also be part of the hiring process, albeit these methods vary by company.

Before the Interview

Before the interview, you should find out how it will be set up, such as competency-based or behavioral-based. You can do this when you confirm the time and location of the interview.

Review these sample questions for competency-based interviews for accounts payable jobs:

• Give an example of when you revamped the accounts payable department to make things run more smoothly.
• When dealing with an overwhelming number of invoices, how can you guarantee prompt and accurate payment processing?
• Give an example of how you handle a difficult vendor relationship and how you settle conflicts or negotiate better terms.
• Give an example of a time when you had to work under pressure to complete accounts payable duties in a timely manner.
• When it comes to accounts payable, how can you make sure you're up to date on all the latest rules and regulations?

Here are some sample questions for behavioral-based interviews:

• Please describe a time in which you were responsible for mediating a disagreement among the accounts payable staff. Tell me how you dealt with it.
• Give an example of when you had to negotiate with a stubborn merchant. Please tell me how you handled the communication and resolved the issue.
• Imagine you found a mistake in the accounts payable process. What steps would you take so that it won't happen again?
• Give an example of when you had to adjust your approach to accounts payable due to changes in accounting software or technology.
• As a team leader, give an example of how you navigated a difficult situation, such as when the accounts payable department was undergoing a system update or transfer.

During the Interview

The interview is your opportunity to sell yourself as the ideal accounts payable manager by outlining your relevant experience, education, and abilities. Substantiate your understanding of accounts payable administration procedures and emphasize your proficiency in communicating with clients. For behavioral interviews in particular, the STAR technique works well because it gives you a framework to answer questions and point out relevant experiences and accomplishments.

Use these tips to nail your next interview:

• Discuss accounts payable processes.
• Mention your leadership experience.
• Talk about your problem-solving skills.
• Share examples of your technology proficiency.
• Describe your communication and relationship management abilities.

After the Interview

Send a thank-you note via email the day after the interview to show your gratitude and professionalism toward the employer. This is an excellent way to leave a good impression on the interviewer.

Include the following information in your thank-you message:

• gratitude for the interview
• a quick snapshot of your skills and qualifications in accounts payable
• any special certifications you have
• your available start date
• your contact information
• any questions you may have about the job that weren't answered during the interview

Ways to Evaluate a Job Offer

When evaluating a job offer, there are several factors to consider. This will ensure you find a career that suits your professional ambitions and lifestyle.

• compensation package (e.g., salary, bonuses, healthcare, etc.)
• job duties
• required work hours
• required commute
• company culture
• work-life balance
• team dynamics
• company stability
• contract terms (e.g., probationary period, termination clauses, and non-compete agreements)
• career growth opportunities

Career Paths for Accounts Payable Managers

For many people, being an accounts payable manager is a stepping stone to more senior management roles like financial controller or director of finance. Another career path is that of a financial consultant.

• A financial controller ensures that a company's financial reporting, budgeting, and internal controls are accurate and in sync with rules by supervising these accounting procedures.
• A financial director makes strategic decisions to improve the company's financial planning, budgeting, and reporting in order to maximize profits and maintain financial longevity.
• A financial consultant helps businesses create and achieve unique financial goals to improve their investment, retirement planning, and tax strategies.

Related Professions

Other related roles for accounts payable managers include:

• procurement manager
• operations manager
• chief compliance officer
• business analyst
• treasury analyst