Accounts Payable Resume Examples & Writing Guide [2024]

The world of accounts payable can be a numbers game, and you need a resume that adds up to success. Our guide will help you craft an accounts payable resume that's so impressive, it'll have hiring managers crunching the numbers to bring you on board.

With our expert advice, you'll be balancing the books and scoring that dream job in no time. So, let's dive in and learn how to write a resume for accounts payable jobs and make those numbers work in your favor!

This guide will show you:

• A accounts payable resume example better than 9 out of 10 other resumes.
• How to write an accounts payable resume that will land you more interviews.
• Tips and examples of how to put skills and achievements on an accounts payable resume.
• How to describe your experience on a resume for accounts payable jobs to get any position you want.

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Considering other jobs in accounting and finance? See our guides:

• Accounting Resume
• Entry-Level Accounting Resume
• Accounting Intern Resume
• Accounting Clerk Resume
• Bookkeeper Resume
• Accounting Assistant Resume
• Accounting Manager Resume
• Finance Resume
• Senior Accountant Resume
• Professional Resume Examples for All Positions

Accounts Payable Resume Example

Being an accounts payable specialist is all about a carefully executed system of checks and authorizations. 

You already know the value of a well-planned structure, apply this knowledge to your resume, too.

Here’s how to format your accounts payable resume template:

• Layout: choose reverse-chronological format, it’s the best at showing your experience.
• Headings: bold the section headings so the hiring manager can find info fast.
• Fonts: use clear and readable resume fonts.
• Font size: 11–12pt for the body text and 2–4pts bigger for headings.
• Margins: set a 1” resume margin on all sides of your AP resume.
• Line spacing: only use 1.15 or single line spacing.
• Sections: Frame them with plenty of white space to stay eyeball friendly.
• File format: Don’t ruin your layout. For resume format PDF is best, unless the job ad asks for Word DOC instead.

Now, here’s how to nail your ledger entry for your accounts payable resume. In order, from top to bottom:

1. Header: include your resume contact information.
2. Resume profile: a short paragraph showing how you’re the perfect fit for the AP job.
3. Work experience: a timeline of your previous jobs with duties and achievements.
4. Education: a list of your academic qualifications.
5. Skills: a short list of abilities targeted to the specific job.
6. Extra sections: these add value. Include awards, languages, certifications, hobbies, etc.

Find out more about resume formatting: Proper Resume Format: Which One is Best 

We won’t start with the header though. It makes more sense to start with your work history.

That way you can go back to your resume profile with an approved for payment list of achievements and experience to use. Let’s begin.

91% of employers prefer their candidates to have work experience and 65% prefer that work experience to be relevant. Get this part wrong and you’ve blown your chances with most employers out there.

Take note, this section is the most important one of your whole resume so get ready to bring your hard won AP due diligence skills to the party.

This is the best way to close the liabilities on your accounts payable resume job history:

• Write in chronological resume format. Start with your most recent job and work back..
• Include job title, company name and location, and dates of employment for each.
• Use 4–6 bullet points that combine job responsibilities with quantifiable achievements. It’s what you did and how well you did it.
• Write a targeted resume that’s tailored to the job you’re applying for.
• To make your description of your AP experience more powerful, use the PAR (Problem-Action-Result) formula.
• Power up each bullet point by starting it with an action word.

Here’s an accounts payable resume work experience example so you can see it put into practice.

Accounts Payable Job Description for Resume Example: Experienced Candidate

But—what if you’ve got limited experience and you’re writing an entry-level accounts payable clerk resume? 

Don’t worry, you can still write a great work experience section. Look at this example to see how.

Accounts Payable Job Description for Resume Example: No Experience

You can see the difference right? It’s like electronic invoicing next to being stuck with paper. That internship experience on the first example is fully up to PAR. Lots of tasty achievements and numbers for the recruiter.

That said, it’s not all about work experience. You’ve got some education behind you too and that’s what we’ll cover next.

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Want to become a work experience section power user? Take a look at our guide: How to Write Work Experience in a Resume—Expert Tips

3

Input Your Education—It’s Not as Simple as You Think

Accounting and finance knowledge doesn’t come easy. The average Joe wouldn’t know a remittance from a velociraptor. 

Your education is a vital link in the AP job chain, so you’ve got to get it right. But, it’s easy once you know how. 

If you’ve got experience, keep it short and sweet with your highest education first.

If you’re entry-level then compensate for your lack of experience. List coursework on your resume plus academic achievements and favorite fields of study to paint a more detailed picture.

Here’s how.

Education Example—Experienced Candidate for AP Jobs

Education Example—Entry-Level Candidate for AP Jobs

Both share the same vital info. The experienced candidate is all set just listing their degree and alma mater.

The entry-level candidate goes into more detail to compensate for their lack of experience.

They’ve listed modules, keeping them relevant to the job description. Then it mentions GPA on the resume. However, if it isn’t 3.5 or higher or you’re more than a couple of years out of college then leave your GPA out.

Now your accounts payable resume is shaping up nicely. Next you’ll learn how to craft a super skills section.

Looking for a masterclass in writing about your education? Look no further than our guide: How to Put Your Education on a Resume—With Tips & Examples

Those W9 and 1099 forms don’t complete themselves. Come audit time it’s your skills and knowledge that ensure compliance.

It’s tempting to include every skill you can think of. Problem is, a resume should only be one or two pages. 

So how do you choose what skills to include on your AP resume?

Here’s how to do it:

• Check out the job ad and pick out the resume keywords that identify the skills the employer seeks
• Then brainstorm a master list of skills. Refer back to your work experience and education sections for further inspiration.
• From your master list, check which skills fit with the requirements in the job description.
• Then in your skills section, include a list with 5–10 of those matching skills. 
• Always include both hard skills and soft skills along with technical skills.

Here are a few AP skills for inspiration.

Hard Skills Examples for Accounts Payable Resume

• General ledger entry and maintenance
• Data entry
• Knowledge of trade credit terms
• Awareness of cash conversion cycle
• Advanced Excel ability

Soft Skills Examples for Accounts Payable Resume

• Organisational skills
• Time management
• Team-working ability
• Interpersonal skills
• Self-motivated

Software (Technical) Skills Examples for Accounts Payable Resume

• SAP Accounts Payable Module
• Sage X3
• Oracle Netsuite
• Quickbooks
• Xero

Work experience, education and skills. Time to sit back and let the interviews roll in? Not so fast. There’s still work to do. Let’s use the power of extra sections.

Want to upskill your skills section even more? Our guide has more examples than you can poke a sub-ledger at: What Skills to Put on a Resume—99+ Examples for All Professions

You prioritize payments by due date. It’s the best way to pick which invoice in that big stack gets your attention.

Think of extra sections as big red past due stamp. They give your AP resume that extra touch to get it noticed.

Here are some examples.

Certifications

This covers professional training that doesn’t fall under the education heading, but is still integral to the job. Include professional certification like CAPA (Certified Accounts Payable Associate) or CAPP (Certified Accounts Payable Professional). Also include certification in AP software suites, like Quickbooks.

Awards

Official recognition of your talents is a big win. Keep it relevant though. Best Turkey in your third grade Thanksgiving play isn’t something that recruiters will gobble up.

Hobbies & Interests

An underused extra section, but great if you don’t have a lot of professional experience. Think outside the box a little. 

Everyone knows team sports demonstrate team skills and leadership, but there are other options too. Great chess player? This shows analytical skills, great for the AP profession.

Volunteering

Good for all candidates, but great for those lacking experience. It’s a proven boost to your chances of getting hired. 

Even if it’s not directly related to the job, include it. Volunteer work shows competence, initiative, and dedication. That’s pure eye-candy to hiring managers, regardless of the job.

Now some examples in action.

Accounts Payable Resume Example: Extra Sections (Experienced)

Accounts Payable Resume Example: Extra Sections (Entry Level)

Your accounts payable resume is looking amazing now. 

But we’ve got to take it back to the top and write your resume summary or objective. Read on and learn how to write it with confidence.

Looking for even more info about resume sections? See great additional tips in our guide: Resume Sections—What Should a Standard Resume Include? 

This is your introductory statement, without it your resume will be as incomplete as an invoice without bank payment details. It comes in two forms: a resume summary and a resume objective.

A resume summary focuses on professional background and a resume objective on professional goals. But both are written with the same formula.

• Go back over your experience, education and skills looking for standout achievements that are relevant to the job description. Choose the best 2–3 of these.
• Then use them to construct a 3–4 sentence paragraph.

A resume summary is the profile of choice for experienced workers. It focuses on your professional background creating a snapshot of your expertise.

Accounts Payable Resume Summary—Example

But what if you’re entry-level or a career changer? Go for a resume objective. 

It makes up for less experience by focusing on your professional goals while also highlighting the skills and achievements you do have.

Accounts Payable Resume Objective—Example

Note that they both finish the same way, with an expression of intent that name checks the company and the position you’re applying for.

Learn more about writing job-winning summaries and objectives for resumes: How to Write a Resume Profile? Examples

Now for one final piece of advice.

Do you even need a cover letter? The answer is a big yes. Almost half of recruiters will reject you, if you don’t include one.

Just remember to get it right by keeping it short, catchy, and relevant. Here’s how.

• Use a good cover letter format.
• Name the hiring manager when addressing your cover letter.
• Write a powerful cover letter introduction to grab their attention.
• Show off your best AP skills and experience.
• End your cover letter with a call to action in your closing statement.

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

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See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Read on: Accounts Payable Cover Letter: Example and Guide

Recap—Accounts Payable Resume in a Nutshell

Here’s how to write an accounts payable resume step-by-step:

• Use the right accounts payable resume format and a reader-friendly layout.
• Make your experience work for you. Use the PAR formula to structure your achievements.
• Create an education section that matches your experience. If you’re entry-level include more detail.
• Choose your skills wisely. Target them to the job in question.
• Add value with additional AP resume sections.
• Finish where you begin by condensing it all into an incredible accounts payable summary or objective.
• Include a cover letter so you don’t sabotage your chances of success.

If only convincing vendors to accept Net 60 was so simple! 

Thanks for reading my guide! Now I’d love to hear from you, so tell me: 

• What are the biggest challenges of writing an accounts payable resume? 
• What part do you struggle with the most? 
• Let me know. Let’s get the discussion started in the comments section!

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Sources

• https://www.tougaloo.edu/sites/default/files/page-files/2017-nace-job-outlook-full-report.pdf
• https://www.pcc.edu/staff/tmaldona/wp-content/uploads/sites/114/2018/08/Samples-of-a-PAR-formula-statements.pdf
• https://www.nationalservice.gov/sites/default/files/upload/employment_research_report.pdf
• https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/us/Documents/us-deloitte-impact-survey.pdf