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Finance/administrative assistant vs accounts payable/administrative assistant

The differences between finance/administrative assistants and accounts payable/administrative assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a finance/administrative assistant and an accounts payable/administrative assistant. Additionally, an accounts payable/administrative assistant has an average salary of $41,382, which is higher than the $39,756 average annual salary of a finance/administrative assistant.

The top three skills for a finance/administrative assistant include data entry, powerpoint and travel arrangements. The most important skills for an accounts payable/administrative assistant are purchase orders, data entry, and vendor invoices.

Finance/administrative assistant vs accounts payable/administrative assistant overview

Finance/Administrative AssistantAccounts Payable/Administrative Assistant
Yearly salary$39,756$41,382
Hourly rate$19.11$19.90
Growth rate-8%-8%
Number of jobs127,37956,780
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Average age5050
Years of experience22

What does a finance/administrative assistant do?

A finance administrative assistant is responsible for performing clerical duties and basic bookkeeping tasks to support financial operations under the supervision of financial executives. Finance administrative assistants generate financial and business reports, update account information on the database, assist with payroll release, and help the accounting staff in resolving financial discrepancies and disputes. They also reach out to the clients for payments and billing, respond to their inquiries and concerns, and escalate their complaints to the supervisor for immediate resolution.

What does an accounts payable/administrative assistant do?

An accounts payable/administrative assistant works alongside the department head. This position focuses on the administrative side of a budgeting department. They are responsible for organizing a company's financial records, which include all documentation of financial transactions, such as invoices and receipts. They also manage all paperwork needed by their department.

Finance/administrative assistant vs accounts payable/administrative assistant salary

Finance/administrative assistants and accounts payable/administrative assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Finance/Administrative AssistantAccounts Payable/Administrative Assistant
Average salary$39,756$41,382
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $52,000Between $30,000 And $56,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCEast Providence, RI
Highest paying stateConnecticutConnecticut
Best paying companyTALENT Software ServicesGypsum Management and Supply
Best paying industryProfessionalConstruction

Differences between finance/administrative assistant and accounts payable/administrative assistant education

There are a few differences between a finance/administrative assistant and an accounts payable/administrative assistant in terms of educational background:

Finance/Administrative AssistantAccounts Payable/Administrative Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Finance/administrative assistant vs accounts payable/administrative assistant demographics

Here are the differences between finance/administrative assistants' and accounts payable/administrative assistants' demographics:

Finance/Administrative AssistantAccounts Payable/Administrative Assistant
Average age5050
Gender ratioMale, 12.8% Female, 87.2%Male, 6.6% Female, 93.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 3.8% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 3.8% White, 66.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between finance/administrative assistant and accounts payable/administrative assistant duties and responsibilities

Finance/administrative assistant example responsibilities.

  • Initiate both domestic and international wire transfers as well as ACH payments to manage vendor payments.
  • Manage all AR, AP, sales orders, work orders, and prepay inventory reconciliation.
  • Orchestrate special events and reservations; manage customer relations and provide exemplary service to all customers.
  • Alphabetize, sort, files FAFSA's code, and assemble letters for mass mailing.
  • Help students and officials file and summit FAFSA application forms and develop and maintain spreadsheets for documenting cases.
  • Process accounts payable and receivable utilizing QuickBooks.
  • Show more

Accounts payable/administrative assistant example responsibilities.

  • Create invoices, manage, reconcile and pay ACH payments or record receive payments while working closely with customers and vendors.
  • Manage FEDEX delivery requirements ensuring compliance with company policy.
  • Post ACH, journal entries efficiently, timely, and accurately into the accounting system.
  • Create and maintain PowerPoint presentation.
  • Generate monthly report utilizing QuickBooks to determine outstanding payments.
  • Generate weekly reports and perform monthly reconciliation utilizing QuickBooks.
  • Show more

Finance/administrative assistant vs accounts payable/administrative assistant skills

Common finance/administrative assistant skills
  • Data Entry, 11%
  • PowerPoint, 10%
  • Travel Arrangements, 7%
  • Purchase Orders, 6%
  • Financial Aid, 5%
  • Expense Reports, 5%
Common accounts payable/administrative assistant skills
  • Purchase Orders, 12%
  • Data Entry, 11%
  • Vendor Invoices, 8%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Financial Reports, 5%
  • Credit Card, 4%

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