What is an accounts payable clerk and how to become one

Q: How long does it take to become an Accounts Payable Clerk?

It takes 5 years of professional experience to become an accounts payable clerk. That is the time it takes to learn specific accounts payable clerk skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education. If you include the normal education requirements to complete a college degree, then it takes 8 to 10 years years to become an accounts payable clerk.

Q: Do you need a degree to be an accounts payable clerk?

No, you do not need a degree to be an accounts payable clerk. Generally, this position only requires a high school diploma or equivalent. However, it does help to have an associate's degree.

Q: How do I get a job in accounts payable?

To get a job in accounts payable you will need a degree, professional certification, and experience. Typically, attaining an associate's degree in accounting, finance, or business will best enable an individual to get a job in accounts payable as an accounts payable clerk. To maximize career prospects, make sure that you focus your coursework in accounts management, payroll administration, accounts payable, and accounting.

Q: How much do accounts payable clerks make?

Accounts payable clerks make about $36,000 annually. However, the top ten percent can earn over $63,000 annually. Generally, salary differences come down to a combination of industry, level of education, and experience. For example, accounts payable clerks with an associate's degree and more work experience earn more money.

Q: Is accounts payable a difficult job?

Yes, accounts payable can be a difficult job. This role is primarily focused on data entry and management to ensure that all aspects of a company's accounts are maintained correctly which can make the job difficult because minor mistakes can have extreme consequences.

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Jodi Olson

An accounts payable clerk is responsible for managing an organization's financial transactions. They are responsible for keeping track of the organization's bills, invoices, and payments. An accounts payable clerk typically works in an office setting and reports to a supervisor. They must be proficient in accounting software and have strong attention to detail. The duties of an accounts payable clerk include verifying invoices, coding expenses, processing payments, reconciling accounts, and maintaining accurate financial records.

What's a day at work look like for an accounts payable clerk?

Jodi Olson

Assistant Accounting Professor, Winona State University

Graduates could see a range of possibilities from working entirely remotely to fully on-site with precautions in place, based on recent graduate and internship experiences we have seen during the pandemic. Except for a very few internships cut short or cancelled immediately at the onset of the pandemic as the profession adapted to unknowns and putting safety measures in place, we have not seen a significant change in the demand for interns or graduates. Some new graduates expect their first day on the jobs to be remote and feel ready to meet that challenge being familiar with the technology required to be productive and communicate virtually. It has become an assumption that precautions are in place, regardless of the remote or in-person setting. It seems that both graduates and employers are working hard together to achieve success, both with caution and the usual high professional standards.

ScoreAccounts Payable ClerkUS Average

Salary

3.0

Avg. Salary $38,333

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.0

Growth rate -5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

2.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.63%

Asian 6.63%

Black or African American 6.91%

Hispanic or Latino 14.66%

Unknown 3.97%

White 67.21%

Gender

female 82.82%

male 17.18%

Age - 53

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 53

Stress level

6.0

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.4

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.3

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an accounts payable clerk?

Pros

Stable and steady work
Good benefits packages
Opportunities for remote work
Regular office hours
Potential for bonuses or incentives

Cons

Repetitive nature of tasks
High-pressure environment at month-end and year-end
Low starting salary
Limited autonomy and decision-making power
Requires significant computer skills

Key steps to become an accounts payable clerk

Explore accounts payable clerk education requirements

Most common accounts payable clerk degrees

Bachelor's

46.3 %

Associate

29.4 %

High School Diploma

12.6 %

Start to develop specific accounts payable clerk skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	12.53%
Data Entry	9.53%
Purchase Orders	8.07%
Expense Reports	6.43%
Vendor Invoices	6.03%

Complete relevant accounts payable clerk training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New accounts payable clerks learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an accounts payable clerk based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real accounts payable clerk resumes.

Gain additional accounts payable clerk certifications

Accounts payable clerk certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific accounts payable clerk certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for accounts payable clerks include Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and International Accredited Business Accountant (IABA).

More About Certifications

Research accounts payable clerk duties and responsibilities

Manage revenue ledger including other subsidiary ledgers and responsible for the reconciliation of various income accounts to ensure accuracy of postings.
Match, code, and process vendor payments via MAS90 accounting system - including check runs and ACH payments.
Perform duties in compliance with GAAP, company and department policies and procedures, internal controls, and Sarbanes-Oxley requirements.
Process division payroll in coordination with ADP payroll systems for semi-monthly and weekly union contract employees.

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