Accounts Payable
Accounts Payable (often abbreviated as AP) is a key business function that handles paying bills and expenses a company owes to its suppliers and vendors. Think of it as managing a company's checkbook - making sure all bills are legitimate, paid on time, and properly recorded. This role is essential in any business that needs to pay vendors, contractors, or suppliers. Someone working in Accounts Payable typically processes invoices, writes checks, handles electronic payments, maintains payment records, and works closely with the accounting department to ensure all payments are accurate and properly documented.
Examples in Resumes
Managed Accounts Payable department processing over 500 invoices monthly
Streamlined AP processes resulting in 30% faster payment processing
Supervised team of 3 Accounts Payable clerks and implemented new payment tracking system
Typical job title: "Accounts Payable Clerks"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Accounts Payable Clerks
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle a situation where you discover duplicate payments to a vendor?
Expected Answer: A senior AP professional should explain the process of investigating the duplicate payment, contacting the vendor, initiating recovery procedures, implementing preventive measures, and documenting the entire process for audit purposes.
Q: Describe your experience with managing an AP team and improving processes.
Expected Answer: Should discuss leadership experience, process improvements implemented, how they measured success, and examples of training/mentoring team members.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you ensure invoice accuracy and prevent fraud?
Expected Answer: Should explain verification processes like matching purchase orders with invoices, checking for proper approvals, verifying vendor information, and identifying red flags that might indicate fraudulent activity.
Q: What is your process for month-end closing in AP?
Expected Answer: Should describe the steps they take to reconcile accounts, process remaining invoices, prepare reports, and coordinate with the accounting team.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is the three-way matching process?
Expected Answer: Should explain how purchase orders, receiving documents, and vendor invoices are matched to ensure accuracy before payment is made.
Q: How do you prioritize invoice processing?
Expected Answer: Should discuss organizing work by due dates, payment terms, discount opportunities, and vendor importance.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic invoice processing
- Data entry and filing
- Understanding payment terms
- Basic accounting software use
Mid (2-5 years)
- Payment processing and reconciliation
- Vendor management
- Month-end closing procedures
- Advanced software proficiency
Senior (5+ years)
- Team supervision
- Process improvement
- Internal controls implementation
- Audit preparation and support
Red Flags to Watch For
- No experience with accounting software
- Poor attention to detail
- Limited understanding of payment processing
- Weak organizational skills
- No knowledge of basic accounting principles
Related Terms
Need more hiring wisdom? Check these out...
A Beginner's Guide to Implementing an Applicant Tracking System
Salary Transparency Laws: What HR Leaders Need to Know
Automated Scorecards in ATS Systems: Your Secret Weapon for Smarter Hiring Decisions
