How To Become An Accounts Payable/Receivable Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is an accounts payable/receivable manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Janet Tarase

The average accounts payable/receivable manager salary is $74,174. The most common degree is a bachelor's degree degree with an accounting major. It usually takes 6-8 years of experience to become an accounts payable/receivable manager. Accounts payable/receivable managers with a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certification earn more money. Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 17% and produce 123,100 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to an accounts payable/receivable manager?

Janet Tarase

Lead Accounting Faculty / Accounting Department Chair, Red Rocks Community College

Create a vision board to set your yearly objectives and a long-term strategic plan that includes your professional and personal goal aspirations; be prepared to modify both of these guides as things change in your life. Join LinkedIn, if you haven't already, update it and make sure it is current. Make connections with a local professionals' group and create a network of like-minded, goal-oriented individuals. Also find a mentor or ask senior employees for their advice and counseling. Clean up your social media accounts or at the very least mark your questionable content as private so you are not sharing it publicly; become the professional you want to be. Continue your professional development, either through your employer, free online programs, or by furthering your education. Keep track of your accomplishments and continue to update your biography and resume. Finally, be appreciative and modest - thank those that help you and make sure to acknowledge those who participated in your successes.

ScoreAccounts Payable/Receivable ManagerUS Average

Salary

5.8

Avg. Salary $74,174

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

9.5

Growth rate 17%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.34%

Asian 7.27%

Black or African American 8.02%

Hispanic or Latino 15.54%

Unknown 4.12%

White 64.70%

Gender

female 81.22%

male 18.78%

Age - 46

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 - 46

Stress level

9.5

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.2

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.9

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an accounts payable/receivable manager

Explore accounts payable/receivable manager education requirements

Most common accounts payable/receivable manager degrees

Bachelor's

48.5 %

Associate

27.9 %

High School Diploma

12.9 %

Start to develop specific accounts payable/receivable manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Financial Statements	8.04%
Purchase Orders	6.45%
General Ledger	6.21%
Vendor Invoices	6.10%
Reconciliations	5.65%

Complete relevant accounts payable/receivable manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New accounts payable/receivable managers 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/receivable manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real accounts payable/receivable manager resumes.

Research accounts payable/receivable manager duties and responsibilities

Manage accounting operations, accounting close, account reporting and reconciliations.
Utilize computer systems to run databases, pay bills (QuickBooks).
Process daily bank exceptions for payment assurance which include ACH and DSD.
Handle multiple payment option type - automate check, ACH, wire, manual checks.

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