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Senior accounts payable specialist vs accounts payable manager

The differences between senior accounts payable specialists and accounts payable managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a senior accounts payable specialist, becoming an accounts payable manager takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, an accounts payable manager has an average salary of $69,808, which is higher than the $60,557 average annual salary of a senior accounts payable specialist.

The top three skills for a senior accounts payable specialist include vendor statements, expense reports and purchase orders. The most important skills for an accounts payable manager are customer service, reconciliations, and purchase orders.

Senior accounts payable specialist vs accounts payable manager overview

Senior Accounts Payable SpecialistAccounts Payable Manager
Yearly salary$60,557$69,808
Hourly rate$29.11$33.56
Growth rate-5%17%
Number of jobs31,61153,384
Job satisfaction3-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age5146
Years of experience68

What does a senior accounts payable specialist do?

A senior accounts payable specialist is responsible for performing more complex tasks in the accounting department of an organization and assisting the junior staff in processing financial transactions. Senior accounts payable specialists manage invoice release for vendors and perform bank reconciliations. They also handle the vendors' inquiries and concerns regarding their paychecks and resolve billing discrepancies that they may have. A senior account payable specialist must have excellent knowledge of the accounting principles to generate payments accurately and maintain an organized record of the financial filing system.

What does an accounts payable manager do?

An accounts payable manager is in charge of supervising a company's financial activities, particularly in all payable matters. Their primary responsibilities revolve around managing and assessing staff performances and overseeing check and payroll disbursements. They also take care of maintaining and securing records of employees, clients, and company finances, and implement company objectives while ensuring accuracy in all operations. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to uphold all company policies and regulations, all while leading and encouraging staff in a joint effort to accomplish goals and tasks.

Senior accounts payable specialist vs accounts payable manager salary

Senior accounts payable specialists and accounts payable managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior Accounts Payable SpecialistAccounts Payable Manager
Average salary$60,557$69,808
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $83,000Between $51,000 And $95,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCBeaverton, OR
Highest paying stateDelawareOregon
Best paying companyPacific Investment Management Company LLCMicrosoft
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between senior accounts payable specialist and accounts payable manager education

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

Senior Accounts Payable SpecialistAccounts Payable Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorAccountingAccounting
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Senior accounts payable specialist vs accounts payable manager demographics

Here are the differences between senior accounts payable specialists' and accounts payable managers' demographics:

Senior Accounts Payable SpecialistAccounts Payable Manager
Average age5146
Gender ratioMale, 15.2% Female, 84.8%Male, 24.0% Female, 76.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 6.5% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 8.0% White, 64.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage7%11%

Differences between senior accounts payable specialist and accounts payable manager duties and responsibilities

Senior accounts payable specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage payroll garnishments to accurately comply with applicable state and municipal laws.
  • Prepare, process, and submit check files, wire transfers, ACH payments, and positive pay.
  • Maintain W9 forms for all vendors in the system.
  • Verify if all vendors W9's are on file.
  • Analyze and prepare the monthly/quarterly payments to IRS for FICA/FUTA taxes.
  • Train new staff on ERP software, AP policy and procedures, and customer service.
  • Show more

Accounts payable manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage bi-weekly payroll, bonuses, pay cards, PTO.
  • Collect, enter & manage the quality of information require to produce accurate information report to IRS.
  • Authorize all AP payment invoices, manage deposits and cash management functions, while providing overall complete payroll oversight.
  • Refine the 'pro forma invoice' system process to manage prepayments of client invoices enhancing efficiency and adding value.
  • Assist in computer software upgrade to integrate all accounting functions including pricing, AP, AR, GL and inventory.
  • Ensure timely and efficient processing of authorize AP invoices and cash disbursements, as well as AR invoices and cash receipts.
  • Show more

Senior accounts payable specialist vs accounts payable manager skills

Common senior accounts payable specialist skills
  • Vendor Statements, 10%
  • Expense Reports, 7%
  • Purchase Orders, 7%
  • Data Entry, 6%
  • Accruals, 5%
  • Reconciliations, 5%
Common accounts payable manager skills
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Reconciliations, 6%
  • Purchase Orders, 5%
  • Vendor Invoices, 5%
  • Financial Statements, 4%
  • Payroll, 4%

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