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Accounts payable clerk vs accounts payable administrator

The differences between accounts payable clerks and accounts payable administrators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an accounts payable clerk and an accounts payable administrator. Additionally, an accounts payable administrator has an average salary of $41,860, which is higher than the $38,333 average annual salary of an accounts payable clerk.

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

Accounts payable clerk vs accounts payable administrator overview

Accounts Payable ClerkAccounts Payable Administrator
Yearly salary$38,333$41,860
Hourly rate$18.43$20.12
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs89,56479,272
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age5151
Years of experience66

What does an accounts payable clerk do?

An accounts payable clerk is responsible for supporting the accounting department by performing clerical duties to file financial reports timely and accurately. Accounts payable clerks manage and verify invoices documents, reconcile balance spreadsheets, process payments for suppliers and vendors, resolve billing discrepancies, confirm and post account statements, record outstanding credits, and maintain an organized record of transactions. An accounts payable clerk must have excellent knowledge of the accounting principles to deliver high-quality services and help the business minimize excessive financial loss.

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.

Accounts payable clerk vs accounts payable administrator salary

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

Accounts Payable ClerkAccounts Payable Administrator
Average salary$38,333$41,860
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $48,000Between $32,000 And $54,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCNew York, NY
Highest paying stateMassachusettsNew York
Best paying companyJane StreetDucommun
Best paying industryTechnologyFinance

Differences between accounts payable clerk and accounts payable administrator education

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

Accounts Payable ClerkAccounts Payable Administrator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common majorAccountingBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Accounts payable clerk vs accounts payable administrator demographics

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

Accounts Payable ClerkAccounts Payable Administrator
Average age5151
Gender ratioMale, 17.2% Female, 82.8%Male, 12.7% Female, 87.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 6.6% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between accounts payable clerk and accounts payable administrator duties and responsibilities

Accounts payable clerk example 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.
  • Scan and store documents daily, retrieve W2 and W9 information along with service provider agreements when or if need.
  • Print, review, research, edit, code and batch invoices for processing via the various ERP financial systems.
    • Show more

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

Accounts payable clerk vs accounts payable administrator skills

Common accounts payable clerk skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Data Entry, 10%
  • Purchase Orders, 8%
  • Expense Reports, 6%
  • Vendor Invoices, 6%
  • Vendor Statements, 5%
Common accounts payable administrator skills
  • Purchase Orders, 12%
  • Data Entry, 9%
  • Vendor Invoices, 8%
  • Expense Reports, 6%
  • Credit Card, 5%
  • Vendor Statements, 5%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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