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Accounts payable administrator vs clerk

The differences between accounts payable administrators and clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an accounts payable administrator, becoming a clerk takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an accounts payable administrator has an average salary of $41,860, which is higher than the $31,163 average annual salary of a clerk.

The top three skills for an accounts payable administrator include purchase orders, data entry and vendor invoices. The most important skills for a clerk are basic math, math, and data entry.

Accounts payable administrator vs clerk overview

Accounts Payable AdministratorClerk
Yearly salary$41,860$31,163
Hourly rate$20.12$14.98
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs79,27280,311
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Average age5147
Years of experience62

What does an accounts payable administrator do?

An accounts payable administrator is an individual who reviews and verifies the invoices of suppliers and grants payment requests. Accounts payable administrators must prepare invoice batches and input them in the accounts payable module of the financial information system every day to ensure that payments meet weekly and monthly deadlines. When warranted, they seek clarifications or explanations from submitters and responds to inquiries from suppliers, consultants, and clients regarding the status of their payments. Accounts payable administrators must also ensure that reimbursements are properly approved.

What does a clerk do?

Clerks are responsible for many of the general administrative tasks in the office. They are in charge of manning office telephone lines, managing incoming and outgoing mails, filing paperwork and other needed records, scheduling and documenting meetings, typing out documents when needed, disseminating memos and other official announcements, and keeping an inventory of office equipment and supplies. Clerks should have good office skills, communication skills, business writing skills, and time management skills. They should also be able to treat any document or paperwork they handle with confidentiality.

Accounts payable administrator vs clerk salary

Accounts payable administrators and clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

Accounts Payable AdministratorClerk
Average salary$41,860$31,163
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $54,000Between $24,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYWashington, DC
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew Hampshire
Best paying companyDucommunUniversity of Massachusetts Boston
Best paying industryFinanceHealth Care

Differences between accounts payable administrator and clerk education

There are a few differences between an accounts payable administrator and a clerk in terms of educational background:

Accounts Payable AdministratorClerk
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaWestern Carolina University

Accounts payable administrator vs clerk demographics

Here are the differences between accounts payable administrators' and clerks' demographics:

Accounts Payable AdministratorClerk
Average age5147
Gender ratioMale, 12.7% Female, 87.3%Male, 34.1% Female, 65.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 6.6% White, 67.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 21.1% Asian, 7.7% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage7%6%

Differences between accounts payable administrator and clerk duties and responsibilities

Accounts payable administrator example responsibilities.

  • Manage payroll transactions utilizing ADP payroll software.
  • Maintain a cash flow chart of checks issue and clear, ACH payments, incoming collections, and wire transfers.
  • Solve complex general accounting functions, including preparation of journal entries, account analysis and balance sheet reconciliations.
  • Set up new vendors, maintain new supplier forms and proper W8 and W9 reporting.
  • Implement standard form to vendors to complete and return along with W9 and a sample invoice.
  • Review and record vendor bills utilizing QuickBooks.
    • Show more

Clerk example responsibilities.

  • Demonstrate strong math skills in managing inmate s accounts and calmly and effectively deescalating outbursts of belligerent inmates.
  • Manage orthopedic accounts regarding payment posting through IDX medical systems.
  • Administer financial bookkeeping by way of QuickBooks.
  • Bank reconciliation in QuickBooks and assist bookkeeper when need.
  • Maintain a high level of confidentiality as required by HIPAA.
  • Call DMV's and dealerships when liens are not perfect.
    • Show more

Accounts payable administrator vs clerk skills

Common accounts payable administrator skills
  • Purchase Orders, 12%
  • Data Entry, 9%
  • Vendor Invoices, 8%
  • Expense Reports, 6%
  • Credit Card, 5%
  • Vendor Statements, 5%
Common clerk skills
  • Basic Math, 18%
  • Math, 10%
  • Data Entry, 10%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Cleanliness, 8%
  • POS, 5%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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