Accounts Payable Resume Sample & Job Description for 2023

Bad news. Accounts payable jobs will shrink 4% in the next 10 years. You’re swimming in a shrinking pond. You need to stand out like a $3M windfall to get hired.

How? Match your accounts payable resume to the job like a fitted suit by JoS A. Bank.

In this guide:

• An accounts payable resume sample better than most.
• How to write a resume for accounts payable jobs that proves your assets.
• How to reconcile your accounts payable job description for resumes.
• Why you can’t just stuff your accounts payable resume with skills (and what to do instead).

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Not looking for accounts payable specialist resume samples? See our guides:

• Accounting Manager Resume
• Accounting Resume
• Accounts Receivable Resume
• Banking Resume
• Bank Teller Resume
• Bookkeeper Resume
• Business Analyst Resume
• Data Analyst Resume
• Entry Level Accounting Resume
• Entry-Level Business Analyst Resume
• Entry-Level Financial Analyst Resume
• Financial Advisor Resume
• HR Manager Resume
• Investment Banker Resume
• Loan Officer Resume
• Senior Accountant Resume
• Supply Chain Manager Resume
• Tax Accountant Resume

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our Professional Resume Examples.

Wondering how to put accounts payable on a resume? Are you just starting your accounts payable career? See this guide: Resume for a Career Change

Accounts Payable Resume Sample

Here’s how to write a resume for accounts payable jobs that gets interviews:

1. Pick the Right Accounts Payable Resume Format

Oh oh. If you write a half-baked accounts payable resume, they’ll think you’re half-baked. Write a properly-formatted resume. That starts with the reverse-chronological resume format.

It ends with these key tips:

Accounts Payable Resume Format

• List your current job first and follow it with the previous ones. 
• Make a one-page resume with 1-inch resume margins.
• Include some blank space for readability.
• Use Calibri, Georgia, or another 10–12pt professional resume font.
• Write the resume sections: Heading, Summary, History, Education, and Skills.
• Save it as a PDF resume. Those work well no matter where you open them.

Expert Hint: Will we really lose 65,800 bookkeeping and A/P jobs in the next 10 years? Yep. Custom-fit your resume to show employers you’re “the one.”

2. Add an Accounts Payable Resume Objective or Summary

Imagine this: The phone rings. You’re hired. The team read your accounts payable resume three times. Let’s make that happen.

It starts by getting attention. Do that with a career objective or career summary. That’s a quick plug of your selling points near the top. That’s what the team will read first.

Use:

1. An adjective (detail-oriented, accurate)
2. The title: “accounts payable specialist”
3. Years of experience (1+, 4+)
4. Who/how you’ll help (cut costs at JRH Plumbing)
5. Best accounts payable moments (Saved 20% on costs by analyzing vendors...)
6. 1–3 job skills (processed payments, analyzed vendors...)

By the way—

Write your summary last. It’s easier that way. Once the whole resume is ready, it’s easier to cherry-pick the best achievements and add them to your summary or objective.

These accounts payable resume examples show the principles:

Accounts Payable Resume Example: Summary

Those are so close.

Both samples add payment processing and vendor management. But—The first includes 100%, 20%, $75,000, and other icing on the cake.

Next—

Are you making a resume for accounts payable specialists with no experience?

See these entry-level accounts payable resume samples:

Entry-Level Accounts Payable Resume: Sample Objective

The winner?

The first of those accounts payable resume examples gets the gold. It doesn’t just claimsavings and cash flow improvements. It adds details like $10,000 and 15%.

Expert Hint: Accounts payable specialists earn $38K to $47K. To get a better salary, write a better job description for your accounts payable manager resume. That’s next.

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now.

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3. Craft Your Accounts Payable Job Description and Skills Section

Argh. They deleted your accounts payable clerk resume. It happens.

Let’s make sure it doesn’t happen to you.

To write an accounts payable job description for resumes that turns heads:

1. Jot down the skills for a resume in the online job posting.
2. Put those keywords in your resume job description.
3. Show the effect you got with them.

Look at these accounts payable resume samples:

Imagine a job that wants these accounts payable skills: payment processing, vendor management, automated payments, collaboration.

Accounts Payable Job Description for a Resume [Sample]

Wow.

The second of those accounts payable resume examples uses the wrong skills and—

It doesn’t show you had an effect. I mean—were you good at your job, or bad? That’s where numbers help.

But what about a resume for entry-level applicants?

Say the job wants these accounts payable skills: on-time bill payment, vendor analysis, collaboration.

See these accounts payable resume examples with no experience:

Entry-Level Accounts Payable Resume Job Description [Sample]

Ding.

Both accounts payable resume examples show the same office job. The first lists accounts payable accomplishments.

Now, what accounts payable skills should you list on a resume? See these:

Accounts Payable Skills for a Resume

Hard Skills

• Record Keeping
• Journal Entries
• A/P Software
• QuickBooks, Xero
• Vendor Management
• Validating Invoices
• Reconciling Accounts
• Microsoft Excel
• Backing up Files
• Payment Processing

Soft Skills

• Interpersonal Skills
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Time Management
• Detail Oriented
• Critical Thinking
• Organization
• Negotiation
• Accuracy
• Efficiency

But don’t just copy-paste this list to your AP resume. Instead, add only those skills the hiring manager is looking for (they’re in the job ad!).

4. Do More with Your Education

Let’s boost your working capital. Your accounts payable specialist resume needs an education section. But it can’t be cookie-cutter.

Work it like this accounts payable resume sample:

Accounts Payable Resume Example—Education

Look at that.

The education section doesn’t just say you went to school.

It shows accounts payable skills, too.

Remember to always list the highest degree of education (add info on your degree, major, university, graduation date). If you only have a high school diploma, just include your high school degree.

Expert Hint: Did you just graduate from school? Lengthen your education section. Use it to show transferable A/P skills like teamwork, efficiency, and organization.

5. Add Tempting Sections to Your Accounts Payable Resume

“She’s the whole package.”

Let’s make your next employer say that. How? By adding some tempting sections to your accounts payable resume.

Try a couple of these:

• Associations (AIPB, NBA)
• Certifications (CB, QuickBooks, Bill.com, Xero)
• Conferences (speaking on panels adds bonus points)
• Publications
• Groups and meetups
• Volunteering
• Freelancing
• Additional activities
• Languages

These sample accounts payable resumes show how:

Accounts Payable Resume—Extra Sections

So important.

The first of those accounts payable resume examples adds more skills proof.

Expert Hint: Write a cover letter. Employers will read your accounts payable and receivable resume longer with a letter. That means a higher chance of getting hired.

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Key Points

Here’s how to write an accounts payable resume:

• Use the accounts payable resume template up top. It lets you stack the deck with the best parts of your A/P career.
• Don’t just list accounts payable skills. Add what you processed, negotiated, and implemented, with numbers.
• Add accounts payable achievements to your education, like excellence in math or teacher compliments.
• Include optional resume sections like a QuickBooks certification or volunteer work.

Got questions on how to write great resumes for accounts payable jobs? Not sure how to put accounts payable on a resume? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!