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Table of contents

Accounts Payable Resume Examples
Related resume examples
Choose the right resume format for your accounts payable resume
How to write a accounts payable resume in 5 simple steps
Add a cover letter
Key takeaways for your accounts payable resume
Commonly asked question about resume writing

You have stellar math skills and reconcile invoices like a pro but are the results of your current job search adding up? If not, the bottom line is that you probably need a new accounts payable resume.

Whether you’re writing an accounts payable specialist resume or a resume for an accounts payable clerk, with the help of some easy-to-follow instructions on how to write a resume for your career and some excellent resume examples for reference, the task can be much simpler than you think. Here, you’ll learn exactly what you need to know to write an impressive accounts payable resume in a matter of minutes.

Keep reading to learn more about:

Examples of accounts payable resumes for applicants with and without experience.
What makes an accounts payable resume example great.
Tips and tricks for writing accounts payable resumes, including how to study an accounts payable job description for resume keywords.
What to include in every section of your accounts payable resume.
How to choose the right resume template and format for the role.

Ready to write an accounts payable resume now? Use our professional Resume Generator for step-by-step help writing every section.

Accounts Payable Resume Examples

Entry-level accounts payable resume example

Resume entry level example accounting intern

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What makes this a great accounts payable resume sample?

It’s an industry-appropriate resume template.
This resume features a straightforward resume template with a pop of color to add some personality, which is appropriate for an accounts payable internship role.
Packs in valuable information.
This entry-level accounts payable resume sample is well organized and uses each of the five resume sections to its fullest.
Utilizes the right resume format.
Since this applicant is applying for an accounts payable internship, he has chosen a functional resume format to highlight his education and impressive skill set. The use of multiple skills sections add important details about his transferable skills.

Experienced accounts payable resume example

Resume experienced example accounts payable specialist

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What makes this a great accounts payable resume sample?

Utilizes a chronological resume template.
Since this candidate is highly experienced, she chose a resume template for her accounts payable resume. Doing so allows her to highlight her impressive work experience and steady career progression.
Impactful professional summary.
This applicant’s professional summary outlines her experience level and her top accounts payable skills.
Uses data and metrics.
To showcase the impact of her work as an accounts payable professional, she scatters impactful data and metrics throughout to show tangible results.

Choose the right resume format for your accounts payable resume

To land the job you want, you need to get the right information in front of a recruiter. How do you accomplish that? By selecting the right resume format for your resume.

Here’s how to decide which one is right for your accounts payable resume:

Applicants with little to no work experience should consider using a functional resume format which puts transferable skills front and center.
Midlevel applicants with a few years of related experience should consider using a combination resume format, which is ideal for showing employers both your skills and work experience.
Experienced applicants who have five or more years of relevant experience should consider a chronological resume format to highlight work experience and a strong career progression.

Visit our guide to learn more about how to format a resume for more information on how to best showcase your accounts payable skills, training and experience.

Select an appropriate accounts payable resume template

Create your resume

While every resume template will have the same basic sections — a professional summary or resume objective, skills, work history and education — you can customize the look and feel of your resume by selecting the right template.

Since accounts payable is an overall conservative field, choosing a simple resume template is appropriate. Consider whether one of our modern resumes or simple templates is more your style. Or, if you’re applying for a role at a more creative or casual company, peruse our full library of resume templates to find a resume design that is right for you.

How to write a accounts payable resume in 5 simple steps

While there are some basic rules for writing a great resume, top candidates for competitive accounts payable jobs know that the key to getting noticed is to write a resume that is specific to the industry and the role they seek.

Let’s break down the process of making a standout resume that’s tailored to the job. By the time you’ve followed these steps, you’ll have a competitive application ready to send!

Step 1

1. Study the accounts payable job description

A well-written accounts payable resume is customized to include keywords that show employers that you have what it takes to perform the role. Why is this important?

Many employers run resumes through applicant tracking systems (ATS) that screen out unqualified candidates based on preset keywords. If your resume doesn’t contain the right keywords, you’ll be eliminated before a human ever sees your resume. To make your resume ATS-friendly, you’ll need to customize it to the job description. That’s why if you’re able to successfully incorporate the right keywords, you’ll improve your chances of landing a job interview.

But how do you know which keywords to use? It’s easy. Just study the accounts payable job description.

While every accounts payable role is different, a good job ad should tell you everything you need to know about which keywords to add to your accounts payable resume. The key to success is to study the job description and make a list of critical keywords.

For example, if the job description for the accounts payable role you seek asks for proficiency with accounting software, attention to detail and data entry accuracy, you’ll want to be sure to use those exact words in your accounts payable resume. Look for opportunities in your professional summary, skills section and work experience section to add the keywords you’ve identified. Then, go through your resume and make sure what you wrote matches the wording in the job description so that the ATS recognizes it.

It may sound like a lot, but once you get used to the process, it should only take you a few minutes to do and will get your accounts payable resume better results than if you don’t tailor it.

Step 2

2. Write a professional summary or resume objective

Depending on your level of experience, your accounts payable resume should include either a professional summary or a resume objective to start. This section is your resume profile, where you provide potential employers with a summary of your most relevant skills and experience and some professional highlights.

Candidates with less experience should choose a resume objective, which states your transferable skills and your career goals. Applicants with more direct accounts payable experience should use a professional summary, which outlines your skills and experience and highlights some of your most notable professional accomplishments.

Here are some strong examples for your accounts payable resume:

Accounts payable professional summary example:

Dedicated Certified Accounts Payable Professional (CAPP) with seven years of comprehensive experience in managing complex financial transactions and maintaining vendor relationships. Successfully process an average of 500 invoices per month with an accuracy rate of 97%, minimizing errors and reducing financial discrepancies. Proven track record of optimizing payment workflows and enhancing operational efficiency. Adept at leveraging analytical skills to identify discrepancies and resolve payment-related issues, while consistently adhering to regulatory compliance.

Accounts payable objective example:

Detail-oriented recent graduate with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a Certified Bookkeeper (CB) certification. Eager to launch a career as an accounts payable clerk, leveraging strong analytical skills, proficiency in accounting software, and a commitment to accuracy and compliance.

Step 3

3. Highlight your most relevant accounts payable skills

Regardless of your experience level, hiring managers will be looking closely at the accounts payable resume skills you list. Skills for an accounts payable resume should be added to your resume skills section and peppered into your professional summary (or resume objective) and your work experience section.

It’s critical that you provide employers with a solid mix of hard and soft skills. Hard skills are the measurable skills needed to perform a job, like strong mathematical skills. These skills are easily taught in a classroom. Soft skills, like collaboration, are behaviors and personality traits, which make them difficult to measure. Below, we provide a side-by-side list of hard and soft skills to help you see the difference between the two.

Hard and soft skills for an accounts payable resume

Hard Skills

Invoice processing
Payment processing
Recordkeeping
Vendor management
Excel
Google Workspace

Soft Skills

Accuracy
Collaboration
Conflict resolution
Attention to detail
Communication skills
Deadline-driven

Here is an example of a strong accounts payable skills section:

Error-free data entry
Financial analysis, including financial documents and reconciling accounts
Accounting software, including QuickBooks and Excel
Deadline-driven with stellar time management skills
High attention to detail

Pro tip

When writing your accounts payable resume skills section, adding computer skills and other technical abilities are critical. However, soft skills count, too, even if you don’t have a customer or vendor-facing job. Try to find a mix of hard and soft skills to show that you’re a well balanced applicant.

Step 4

4. Write a strong accounts payable work experience section

While the required background and experience will be different for each role, the key to getting noticed is writing a work experience section that demonstrates what you will bring to the table.

The most effective way to highlight your previous achievements is by detailing your work experience on your resume. List your roles in reverse-chronological order, starting with the most recent, with bullet points that highlight your responsibilities and achievements using compelling language and metrics wherever possible to show the impact of your work.

Here is an example of a great accounts payable work experience entry:

Accounts Payable Clerk, Willow Glen Agency
New York, NY
January 2019 – June 2021

Processed and verified an average of 300 invoices per week, maintaining an accuracy rate of 98.5% by meticulously reviewing documentation, identifying discrepancies and resolving issues before payment.
Utilized QuickBooks to record and track expenses, generate financial reports and analyze spending trends, aiding in informed decision-making.
Collaborated closely with cross-functional teams to ensure timely and accurate payment processing, reducing the average invoice approval cycle from five days to three days.
Assisted in the implementation of an automated accounts payable system, contributing to a 25% reduction in manual data entry and improving workflow efficiency.
Reconciled monthly vendor statements and resolved discrepancies, resulting in the successful retrieval of $15,000 in outstanding credits.
Effectively communicated with vendors and suppliers to address inquiries, resolve payment-related issues and maintain positive working relationships.

Pro tip

Make your accounts payable credentials pop by using action words, data and metrics to capture the attention of a hiring manager.

Step 5

5. Showcase your education and training on your accounts payable resume

To be hired as in an accounts payable role, you’ll need to show employers that you have the required education and training. Top candidates for this role often list a bachelor’s degree in accounting or business administration and certifications or special training. There is no need to list your year of graduation unless you are a very recent grad.

How to list your accounts payable education:

Education:

Bachelor of Science
Accounting
U.C. Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

Certifications:Certified Public Bookkeeper (CPB)
National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers
2021

Pro tip

Don’t add graduation dates to your accounts payable resume unless you graduated in the last two years. Otherwise, you could be introducing age bias into the hiring process.

Optional sections for your accounts payable resume

Projects

Accounts payable professionals can work on a variety of projects to improve processes, enhance efficiency and ensure accuracy in their role.

Projects are also a tangible demonstration of the types of skills — from process creation and time management to technology and management — that are valuable to employers. Not only that but also a relevant project can highlight your long-standing passion and expertise in a given subject.

How to list projects on your accounts payable resume:

Invoice Digitization and OCR Integration: Lead a project to digitize paper invoices and integrate Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology to extract data. Project enhanced the accuracy of data entry and reduced manual data entry, saving time and minimizing errors.
Process Automation Implementation: Implemented automated accounts payable software to streamline invoice processing, approval workflows and payment scheduling. Involved software selection, reconfiguring workflows and training team members.
Vendor Management Enhancement: Developed a comprehensive vendor management system to track vendor information, negotiate terms and maintain positive relationships. This included the creation of vendor scorecards and negotiating discounts and terms for some vendors.

Languages

The ability to speak more than one language is highly prized in today’s globalized job market. Being multilingual expands your communication abilities, giving you access to a wider variety of vendors and customers, which is valued by many employers.

Ultimately, all else being equal, if a job opening comes down to two similarly qualified candidates and one is multilingual, that candidate will be more attractive to the employer.

How to list languages on your accounts payable resume:

Fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin
Proficient in Spanish

Interests and hobbies

Adding hobbies to your resume is appropriate as long as they’re relevant to the job. They offer an opportunity to show your personality and meaningfully connect with a potential employer. Plus, they emphasize your transferable skills, like creativity or leadership — qualities you take from job to job.

Finally, hobbies and interests can demonstrate whether you’re the right culture fit for a company. They enrich your overall profile, showing the employer how you are a unique and fully defined person.

How to list interests and hobbies on your accounts payable resume:

Volunteer bookkeeper for the Berkeley Humane Society
Avid bird watcher
Enthusiasm for long distance running

Add a cover letter

Create your cover letter

Adding an accounts payable cover letter to your application can help you stand out. Why? Because it gives you extra space to convince the employer that you’re the right person for the job.

Writing a cover letter allows you the opportunity to expand upon the professional achievements outlined in your resume and explain any special circumstances, such as a gap on your resume. In addition, taking the time to write a cover letter can show you’re willing to go the extra mile, which could convince a potential employer that you’re the right person for the job.

Learning how to write a cover letter for an accounts payable job starts with studying our cover letter examples to learn how to express your unique candidacy in a compelling way and how to format your cover letter for success.

Or, if you want a job-specific cover letter in a matter of minutes, use our professional Cover Letter Builder, which offers professionally written text suggestions for every section. Use the wording as-is or customize it to suit your needs.

Key takeaways for your accounts payable resume

Follow our steps for a standout accounts payable resume:

Take care to write all five sections of your resume in a way that is specific to the job you seek. Your professional summary, skills, work experience and education section should all contain information that is targeted to the job ad.
Select the appropriate resume format:

Decide what you’d like to emphasize the most on your accounts payable resume – such as strong skills, an impressive work history or both — and then select the format that will help you put your best foot forward.
Be specific to the role:

Use specific information from the job ad rather than generic resume filler when crafting your document. Again, a well-written job description will tell you the critical credentials you must emphasize on your resume.
Include both hard and soft skills:

Being an accounts payable professional requires a mix of technical and personal skills to do the job well. Study our list of hard and soft skills to be sure that you include a balance of both types in your resume.
Make your accounts payable work experience section shine:

Accomplish this by using action verbs, data and metrics to show the impact of your work.
Choose an appropriate resume template:

Match your resume design to the role you’re applying to. Since accounts payable roles tend to be conservative, sticking to a simple or modern resume design is appropriate.
Go the extra mile:

Including a well-written accounts payable cover letter can increase your chances of landing a job interview, so don’t skip the opportunity to include one with your application.

Commonly asked question about resume writing

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Heather is the Content Strategy Manager for Resume Now and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than ten years of experience writing about job search and career topics. She is based in San Francisco.