Accounts Payable Specialist Resume Templates and Examples (Download in App)
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
Most Popular Accounts Payable Specialist Resumes
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Accounts Payable Specialist Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
How To Write an Accounts Payable Specialist Resume
To write a good accounts payable specialist resume, update it for each job you apply to and list your education, accounting software skills, and bookkeeping knowledge. Below are tips for creating each section of your resume and aligning it with employer job postings.
1. Write a brief summary of your accounts payable qualifications
Include a short profile summary near the top of your document. This section lets you introduce yourself as a candidate and highlight some key takeaways for employers. For example, you may note your experience managing multiple vendors or creating automated systems for faster bookkeeping. Also, consider including any industry software you’re familiar with or relevant keywords from the job posting.
Senior-Level Profile Example
Senior accounts payable specialist with over 13 years of advancement and experience. Expertly manage vendor relations while keeping all accounts in good standing. A highly organized bookkeeper who delivers prompt, accurate records at tax time and during reviews and reconciliation. Firm grasp of many industry-standard software programs.
Entry-Level Profile Example
Entry-level accounts payable specialist with strong recent academic and work experience. Focused on helping automate systems to improve financial transaction accuracy and transparency. Fast learner who quickly gains and applies expertise in new systems and software.
2. Outline your accounts payable experience in a compelling list
One of the best ways to impress hiring managers is in your professional experience section. Outline your previous experience, and pair it with bulleted examples of the results you can deliver. For example, you might tell employers that you improved invoicing processes to drive a 50% increase in efficiency and qualify for early-payment discounts.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Senior Accounts Payable Specialist
Boise Business Solutions, Boise, ID | January 2015 to present
- Process about 15,000 invoices per month, remitting over $1 million in payments to vendors
- Review deliveries and inventory to ensure vendors meet obligations
- Provide business leaders with weekly and quarterly reports on vendor payments and any invoice issues
- Reconcile vendor invoices with internal records to identify any errors or overpayments
Highlights:
- Reduced annual vendor costs by around $120,000 by purchasing services early and in bulk
- Found and recovered over $500,000 worth of overpayments to date
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Accounts Payable Intern
JNE Accounting Firm, Topeka, KS | May 2022 to present
- Track and manage payments and transactions totaling over $100,000 for five to seven clients
- Help train new staff on the latest accounting software
Highlights:
- Selected to present original research at an anti-fraud seminar to more than 250 accounts payable specialists
3. Add accounts payable education and certifications
Depending on the accounts payable job opening, employers may want someone with a relevant associate degree or higher. Certifications can also help show your skills and knowledge and may bolster your resume if you’re an entry-level candidate.
Include accounting, financial, and other related degrees or certifications on your resume, listing them in an easy-to-scan manner, as shown in the examples below.
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
Example
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Accounting
- San Francisco University, San Francisco, CA | 2015
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization] | [Completion Year]
Example
- Certified Accounts Payable Professional, Financial Professionals Association | 2021
4. List key accounts payable skills and proficiencies
When businesses use applicant tracking systems (ATS), a computer program will likely be the first entity to review your resume. These programs are coded to ignore resumes that don’t meet certain requirements or include relevant skills and keywords. Thus, work accounts payable-related terms into your resume wherever possible. Start with some of the common skills below.
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Account reconciliation | Accounting software |
| Bookkeeping | Budgeting and cost accounting |
| Customer service | Data analysis |
| Data entry | General ledger |
| Invoicing | Microsoft Excel |
| QuickBooks | Time management |
| Vendor negotiations | |
How To Pick the Best Accounts Payable Specialist Resume Template
In their search for accounts payable staff, employers are primarily concerned with applicants’ skills and experience. They aren’t looking for design-heavy resumes, so you can stick to a plain template that presents the facts clearly and concisely. If you have a lot of experience, choose a template with plenty of room for your work history. On the other hand, if you’re a new college graduate, look for a template that puts your accounting education front and center.
Rebecca Finney - recruiter and trainer in Financial Industries, LinkedIn
Meet our expert: Rebecca Finney has spent over five years in agency recruiting, primarily in the banking, finance, and accounting industries for permanent and contract staffing.
1. What are the most in-demand skills for accounts payable specialists that should be featured on a candidate’s resume? -
Include any experience you have working with invoices, credit and debit reconciliations, processing checks or expense reports, tracking sales and use taxes, gathering statements, keeping track of employee and vendor tax information, and accounting software. Also showcase an eagerness to learn, accuracy, attention to detail, clear communication skills, organizational skills, and an ability to meet deadlines.
2. What work experience and other accomplishments are hiring managers looking for in an accounts payable specialist?-
Employers will likely look for an associate or bachelor’s degree in accounting. Previous experience working as an AP specialist will also be beneficial.
3. In addition to a resume, what else should an accounts payable specialist candidate be prepared to provide hiring managers?-
Typically, nothing else is required besides the resume. If the candidate has a certificate in Microsoft Office Suite, Excel, or a particular accounting software, they should include that when submitting their resume.
4. What advice would you give an accounts payable specialist candidate about their job search?-
Utilize LinkedIn. Many recruiters sourcing for accounting roles utilize LinkedIn to find candidates.
A candidate should have an updated LinkedIn profile with applicable work experience and a professional photo.
It never hurts to share references who can speak to the candidate’s accounting abilities and soft skills, such as their attention to detail and ability to work in a deadline-driven environment.
Frequently Asked Questions: Accounts Payable Specialist Resume Examples and Advice
What is the best way to highlight my experience in my Accounts Payable Specialist CV?-
The best way to highlight your experience in your Accounts Payable Specialist CV is by emphasizing specific achievements in each role. Use bullet points to make your experience scannable and focus on results-driven accomplishments, such as improving processes or saving costs. Include quantifiable data like percentage increases or revenue growth to reinforce the impact of your work.
What are common action verbs for accounts payable specialist resumes?-
Employers may review dozens or even hundreds of resumes for each job opening. Anything you do to make yours stand out will help you advance to the next round of consideration. Start your bullet points with action verbs that align with your experience and the job expectations for an accounts payable specialist. Verbs like those listed below can position you as a dynamic and engaged accounting professional.
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Approve | Assess |
| Audit | Balance |
| Calculate | Create |
| Enter | Invoice |
| Manage | Pay |
| Prepare | Prevent |
| Process | Reconcile |
| Report | Resolve |
| Review | Schedule |
| Streamline | Support |
| Transfer | Update |
How do you align your resume with an accounts payable job posting?-
When your resume speaks directly to a job posting, it’s more likely to draw a response from the hiring manager. Each time you apply for an accounts payable position, review the job posting carefully. Write down any words, phrases, or skills that match your own knowledge and experience. Then incorporate those words within your resume.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment for bookkeepers and accounting clerks to decrease by about 77,000 jobs between 2021 and 2031. In a competitive job market, aligning your resume with each opportunity can help you stand out.
What is the best accounts payable specialist resume format?-
Most accounts payable specialists should use the combination (or hybrid) format. True to its name, this format combines two important features of other resume formats: the chronological format’s experience section and the functional format’s profile section.
A combination resume offers the best of both worlds by fusing these two sections. The experience section lets you outline your recent work history – essential information for most employers. At the same time, the profile section lets you display your career highlights at the top, regardless if they’re from that work history or another part of your background. The resulting resume is straightforward yet strategic. It gives hiring managers the clearest possible view of your background and relevant skills, so they can decide to proceed with your candidacy.
What’s the ideal length for an accounts payable specialist resume?-
A one-page resume is ideal for most accounts payable specialist positions, especially if you have less than 10 years of experience. For experienced professionals, a two-page resume may be appropriate, but only if it includes valuable, job-relevant content. Focus on showcasing your key achievements, certifications, and skills that align with the job description.
Aim to include work experience from the last 10 to 15 years. Older roles can be summarized or omitted unless they add significant value. Keeping your resume concise and relevant will leave a strong impression on hiring managers.
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Adding a cover letter to your application gives you another chance to connect with employers and emphasize certain skills or experience. Get some ideas and inspiration for your cover letter by reading our guide to bookkeeper cover letters.
