Processing specialist vs accounts payable clerk

The differences between processing specialists and accounts payable clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a processing specialist and an accounts payable clerk. Additionally, a processing specialist has an average salary of $55,587, which is higher than the $38,333 average annual salary of an accounts payable clerk.

The top three skills for a processing specialist include customer service, data entry and quality standards. The most important skills for an accounts payable clerk are customer service, data entry, and purchase orders.

Processing specialist vs accounts payable clerk overview

	Processing Specialist	Accounts Payable Clerk
Yearly salary	$55,587	$38,333
Hourly rate	$26.72	$18.43
Growth rate	-5%	-5%
Number of jobs	41,858	89,564
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 52%	Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age	51	51
Years of experience	6	6

What does a processing specialist do?

A processing specialist mainly functions to extend and relay information within a company or organization. Most of the time, they are responsible for gathering, verifying, processing, and analyzing data from various aspects such as clients and sales. Aside from this, they perform research and analysis, utilizing the results to develop strategies and plans to help the company pursue deals and provide optimum services. Furthermore, a processing specialist needs to coordinate with managers and be equipped with communication skills as there are instances where they must engage with clients.

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.

Processing specialist vs accounts payable clerk salary

Processing specialists and accounts payable clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Processing Specialist	Accounts Payable Clerk
Average salary	$55,587	$38,333
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $98,000	Between $30,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City	Newark, NJ	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	New Jersey	Massachusetts
Best paying company	Meta	Jane Street
Best paying industry	Professional	Technology

Differences between processing specialist and accounts payable clerk education

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

	Processing Specialist	Accounts Payable Clerk
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 52%	Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common major	Business	Accounting
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Processing specialist vs accounts payable clerk demographics

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

	Processing Specialist	Accounts Payable Clerk
Average age	51	51
Gender ratio	Male, 39.5% Female, 60.5%	Male, 17.2% Female, 82.8%
Race ratio	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%	Black 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%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between processing specialist and accounts payable clerk duties and responsibilities

Processing specialist example responsibilities.

Manage an email account specifically for customers to fill out an RMA request form.
Personalize and manage a customer SQL network database to consolidate all incoming orders from different marketplaces.
Utilize the Dictaphone transcription equipment, and process large volumes of documents on a daily basis.
Create and maintain organizational charts using Microsoft Visio.
Provide expert help to Wang users.
Open and diagnose incoming mail using Opex rapid extraction equipment.

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.

Processing specialist vs accounts payable clerk skills

Common processing specialist skills

Customer Service, 20%
Data Entry, 13%
Quality Standards, 8%
Process Improvement, 7%
Patients, 5%
Excellent Interpersonal, 3%

Common accounts payable clerk skills

Customer Service, 13%
Data Entry, 10%
Purchase Orders, 8%
Expense Reports, 6%
Vendor Invoices, 6%
Vendor Statements, 5%

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Processing Specialist
Processing Specialist vs Accounts Payable Clerk

Updated January 8, 2025

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