AP Clerk Job Description

Accounts payable clerk

Accounts payable clerks provide support to an organization's accounting department. Clerks perform financial, administrative and clerical duties. Accounts payable clerks may spend long hours sitting at computers, and light lifting may be required as part of daily duties. Accounts payable clerks also may perform other duties as assigned.

Duties

Duties of accounts payable clerks include the daily processing of accounts payable transactions, which must be performed accurately and efficiently. Accounts payable clerks receive invoices, verify transactions, prepare invoices for data entry and enter invoices for payment. These payments are processed and applied within an organization's established time frames.

Qualifications

Accounts payable clerks should be proficient and knowledgeable in all areas of payables. Clerks have to maintain an above-average level of accuracy. Candidates should possess interpersonal, bookkeeping, decision making and problem-solving skills. Accounts payable clerks must be able to work with computerized accounting spreadsheets. Clerks also are expected to maintain organizational confidentiality.

Industry

Common industries recruiting accounts payable clerks are manufacturing, health care, automotive, construction and hotels. The job of accounts payable clerk is most likely to be held by a woman. Payscale.com reports that women account for 89 percent of the accounts payable clerks positions.

Education

A high school or general equivalency diploma is required for employment as an accounts payable clerk. College degrees or some relevant education may be preferred, but not required. Candidates should possess at least one year of working experience with accounts payables.

Salary

Entry level accounts payable clerks with high school diplomas can expect to earn $12 to $15 hourly. Those candidates who have a bachelor's degree in accounting start with an average salary of $35,000. Popular industries set similar starting salaries for accounts payable clerks. These rates are typically from $12 to $16 an hour, Payscale.com reported in June 2010.

References

• Indeed.com: Accounts payable clerk job description
• Payscale.com: Accounts payable clerk
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Bookeeping, Accounting, Auditing Clerks