Post job

Accounts payable/receivable manager education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an accounts payable/receivable manager. Accounts payable/receivable managers usually study accounting, business, or finance. 49% of accounts payable/receivable managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 28% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,337 real accounts payable/receivable manager resumes to see exactly what accounts payable/receivable manager education sections show.

The most common colleges for accounts payable/receivable managers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online accounts payable/receivable manager courses to help get the education required to be an accounts payable/receivable manager.

There are certain accounts payable/receivable manager certifications that you should consider. These accounts payable/receivable manager certifications include Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

What education do you need to become an accounts payable/receivable manager?

What degree do you need to be an accounts payable/receivable manager?

The most common degree for accounts payable/receivable managers is bachelor's degree, with 49% of accounts payable/receivable managers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 28% and associate degree degree at 13%.
  • Bachelor's, 49%
  • Associate, 28%
  • High School Diploma, 13%
  • Master's, 5%
  • Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become an accounts payable/receivable manager?

You should major in accounting to become an accounts payable/receivable manager. 34% of accounts payable/receivable managers major in accounting. Other common majors for an accounts payable/receivable manager include business and finance.

Most common colleges for accounts payable/receivable managers

Accounts payable/receivable managers often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, San Diego State University, and University of Houston. Here are the most common colleges for accounts payable/receivable managers in the US based on their resumes.
Accounts payable/receivable manager common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix24.72%
San Diego State University7.87%
University of Houston5.62%
American InterContinental University5.62%
Broward College5.62%

Best majors for accounts payable/receivable managers

RankMajorPercentages
1Accounting34.1%
2Business30.8%
3Finance4.4%
4Psychology4.3%
5Management2.9%

Best colleges for accounts payable/receivable managers

The best colleges for accounts payable/receivable managers are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Boston University.

An accounts payable/receivable manager with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for accounts payable/receivable managers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become accounts payable/receivable managers.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

4. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

5. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

6. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

7. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$49,880

Enrollment

4,177

8. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Enrollment

9,394

9. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

10. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Enrollment

17,407

20 best online courses for accounts payable/receivable managers

Advertising disclosure

1. Financial Accounting & Excel-Comprehensive Accounting Course

udemy
4.3
(736)

Comprehensive accounting course to learn the accounting cycle in a practical way and pick up critical Excel fundamentals...

2. Accounting 101: Accounts Payable Best Practices For 2023

udemy
4.4
(1,180)

Avoid common mistakes and pitfalls when it comes to Accounts Payable. No more fraud, incorrect payments or voided checks...

3. Accounts Payable in SAP

udemy
4.3
(529)

Learn Accounts Payable sub-module of SAP FICO in this step-by-step training course. Become a successful SAP Consultant...

4. Accounting101: Learn Accounts Receivable From A to Z

udemy
4.3
(447)

Learn The Accounts Receivable Cycle, Basics of Accounts Receivable, Accelerating Collections and Much More...

5. Excel Accounting Problem

udemy
4.3
(348)

Learn How to Create an Accounting Worksheet Using Microsoft Excel from a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)...

6. Financial Accounting-Debits & Credits-Accounting Transaction

udemy
4.5
(781)

Masterclass: Learn Accounting Principles, Financial Statements, Transactions & More in this Comprehensive Course...

7. Financial Accounting-Adjusting Entries & Financial Statement

udemy
4.6
(930)

Master Adjusting Entries & Financial Statements: A Comprehensive Guide for Accurate Accounting and Reporting...

8. Xero Bookkeeping & Accounting, w/ Set-up & Reporting

udemy
4.3
(263)

From Set-up to Bookkeeping, Accounting, Reporting, & Financial Statements in Xero with a Certified Xero Advisor...

9. Financial Accounting - Subsidiary Ledgers & Special Journals

udemy
4.5
(580)

Mastering Special Journals and Subsidiary Ledgers: A Comprehensive Guide to Streamlined Accounting Practices...

10. Financial Accounting: A Comprehensive Guide with E-book

udemy
4.5
(3,466)

Unlock Financial Accounting Mastery: Comprehensive Course for Students, Professionals, and Business Owners...

11. Payroll Accounting: Laws, Calculations, and Journal Entries

udemy
4.4
(1,649)

Master the complex world of payroll with practical examples, legislation insights, and comprehensive problems...

12. Governmental Accounting 100

udemy
4.6
(355)

Fund accounting-governmental accounting-General Fund & government-wide activity transactions-modified accrual method...

13. Accounting, Bookkeeping & Financial Analysis (Accounting)

udemy
4.5
(521)

Accounting & Bookkeeping Basics. Accounting & Financial Analysis Concepts. Learn Accounting & Bookkeeping...

14. Accounting 101 - The Principles Of Accounting

udemy
4.4
(647)

The Easiest Course In Accounting!...

15. Introductory Financial Accounting

udemy
4.7
(666)

Learn the basics of Accounting including: the accounting cycle, inventory, depreciation, receivables, and more!...

16. Principles of Financial Accounting

udemy
4.5
(875)

Learn the complete accounting cycle -recording business transactions to presenting the Balance Sheet & Income Statement...

17. Financial Accounting: The Complete Introductory Crash Course

udemy
4.5
(1,604)

Learn the Basics of Financial Accounting: Financial Statements, Debits and Credits, The Accounting Cycle and More!...

18. Managerial Accounting & Bookkeeping (Cost Accounting)

udemy
4.6
(297)

Management Accounting & Bookkeeping Basics. Accounting & Bookkeeping Concepts. Learn Accounting & Bookkeeping...

19. Accounting & Bookkeeping Masterclass - Beginner to Advanced

udemy
4.5
(4,371)

Accounting, Bookkeeping Introduction, Accounting, Bookkeeping Entries, Accounting, Bookkeeping Adjustments & Reports...

20. Bookkeeping in QuickBooks Online (Bookkeeping & accounting)

udemy
4.6
(2,599)

Bookkeeping & Accounting with Quick Books Online. Bookkeeping & Accounting is Easy. Bookkeeping & Quick Books software...

Top 10 most affordable universities for accounts payable/receivable managers

The most affordable schools for accounts payable/receivable managers are SUNY Farmingdale, baruch college of the city university of new york, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for accounts payable/receivable managers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for accounts payable/receivable managers.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

3. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

8. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

9. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

10. Clayton State University

Morrow, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$5,419

Cost of attendance

17,697

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for accounts payable/receivable managers

The hardest universities for accounts payable/receivable managers to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Boston University.

Some great schools for accounts payable/receivable managers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for accounts payable/receivable managers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

3. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

4. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

6. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

7. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

8. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

9. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

10. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for accounts payable/receivable managers

The easiest schools for accounts payable/receivable managers to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, oklahoma wesleyan university, and holy names university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an accounts payable/receivable manager without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for accounts payable/receivable managers.

1. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

3. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

4. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

5. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

6. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

7. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

8. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

9. Manor College

Jenkintown, PA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

898

10. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

Average accounts payable/receivable manager salary by education level

According to our data, accounts payable/receivable managers with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $93,689 annually. Accounts payable/receivable managers with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $89,915.
Accounts payable/receivable manager education levelAccounts payable/receivable manager salary
Master's Degree$89,915
High School Diploma or Less$67,269
Bachelor's Degree$80,371
Doctorate Degree$93,689
Some College/ Associate Degree$67,262

Accounts payable/receivable manager education FAQs

Search for accounts payable/receivable manager jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse executive management jobs