How to hire an accounts payable team lead

How to hire an accounts payable team lead, step by step

Here's a step-by-step accounts payable team lead hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an accounts payable team lead job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new accounts payable team lead
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring an accounts payable team lead, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An accounts payable team lead's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, accounts payable team leads from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents accounts payable team lead salaries for various positions.

   Type of Accounts Payable Team Lead	Description	Hourly rate
   Accounts Payable Team Lead	Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks produce financial records for organizations. They record financial transactions, update statements, and check financial records for accuracy.	$24-46
   Bookkeeper	Bookkeepers are employees who are in charge of the company's general ledger. They are well-versed in basic accounting principles, and they apply these in their work... Show more	$14-25
   Charge Bookkeeper	A full charge bookkeeper's primary job is to manage and handle all the accounts of a small or medium-sized business. They are responsible for overseeing the accounting duties for a company, including billing customers, preparing bank statements and tax returns, and processing timesheets... Show more	$17-27

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Vendor Invoices
   • General Ledger
   • Reconciliations
   • Purchase Orders
   • ACH
   • Customer Service
   • Financial Reports
   • Expense Reports
   • Journal Entries
   • External Audits
   • Process Improvement
   • ERP
   • Vendor Statements
   • Accruals

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage annual IRS 1099 and 1042 reporting.
   • Handle cash items, manage vendor set ups and maintain accurate W9 information.
   • Manage ten RPG developers maintaining and modifying a AS400 base JDA MMS ERP system for a large retailer.
   • Manage payroll transactions utilizing ADP payroll software.
   • Manage preparation of monthly account reconciliations, journal entries, inter-company accounting and year-end audit schedules.
   • Verify receipts and ensure GAAP compliance for employee expense accounts.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your accounts payable team lead job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An accounts payable team lead can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, accounts payable team leads' average salary in west virginia is 45% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level accounts payable team leads 48% less than senior-level accounts payable team leads.
   • Certifications. An accounts payable team lead with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an accounts payable team lead's salary.

   Average accounts payable team lead salary

   $70,092yearly

   $33.70 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level accounts payable team lead salary

   $50,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 23, 2025

4. Writing an accounts payable team lead job description

   An accounts payable team lead job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of an accounts payable team lead job description:

   Accounts payable team lead job description example

   At Alcon, we are driven by the meaningful work we do to help people see brilliantly. We innovate boldly, champion progress, and act with speed as the global leader in eye care. Here, you'll be recognized for your commitment and contributions and see your career like never before. Together, we go above and beyond to make an impact in the lives of our patients and customers.
   
   We foster an inclusive culture and are looking for diverse, talented people to join Alcon. As an AP Accountant Lead - you will be responsible for driving and supervising AP excellence activities for all markets in scope of the FRA AGS - AP EMEA by acting as subject matter expert, organizing, and monitoring the activity and performance of the team.
   
   The AP Accountant Lead supervises the quality of ledgers and services provided as AP EMEA front office. He/she supports the organization in achieving their KPI targets, propose and drive continuous improvement and process excellence initiatives. In this role, a typical day will include:
   
   Organize and distribution of team's day to day operations and workload, to control backlog and improve KPISupervise quality and timely execution of Invoice corrections and other documents Supervise follow up on blocked invoices and AP aged open items Supervise FNOW requests and calls, ensuring turn-around-time and expected SLA with diligent business support Supervise of Compliance controls & other internal/external controls Perform complex AP activities, manage escalations, drive action plan E2EMonitor incoming queries and ensure customer satisfaction Collaboration with EMEA AP Head/ Managers for KPIs/Operational KPIs review, preparation of any analysis, root causing and drive action plan to take Support to AP Managers/Leads, to drive implementation of projects/ initiatives and required change management to achieve efficient and effective E2E processes Act as a deputy of the AP Manager
   WHAT YOU'LL BRING TO ALCON:
   Degree in Finance / Accounting or relevant experience Min 4 years' experience in AP department Experience working with SSC is preferred Fluent in English and preferably 1-2 other European languages Knowledge of SAPStrong analytical skills
   
   HOW YOU CAN THRIVE AT ALCON:
   Opportunity to join growing, early-stage organization built within a mature, stable global company Individual career development plan and possible career growth Truly international environment and daily interactions with colleagues and stakeholders from all over the world Attractive benefits package (private medical care, group insurance, lunch card, transportation allowance, pension plan, Multisport/cultural card, free Alcon products for you and your significant) Attractive compensation package Flexible hours and remote work possibilities

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find accounts payable team leads for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your accounts payable team lead job on Zippia to find and recruit accounts payable team lead candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit accounts payable team leads, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new accounts payable team lead

   Once you've decided on a perfect accounts payable team lead candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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