What does an accounts payable officer do?
An accounts payable officer plays a key role in an organisation’s financial success by ensuring suppliers are paid accurately and on time, maintaining healthy cash flow, and supporting sound financial decision-making. By keeping precise records of what the company owes, they help ensure balance sheets remain accurate, budgets and forecasts are reliable, and the risk of errors or fraud is minimised.
Accounts payable officers are integral members of finance teams across a wide range of industries, from financial services and education to large corporate environments, where their diligence and attention to detail underpin the organisation’s overall financial stability.
Accounts payable skills and qualifications
Strong candidates often demonstrate excellent data entry skills, strong attention to detail, and a methodical approach, which may be important for success in this role. An understanding of accounting principles and the ability to work independently are also valuable competencies that set top candidates apart.
Other skills that may be required for the job include:
- understanding of the accounts payable processes
- ability to work independently
- strong organisational skills
- experience in using Microsoft Excel and accounting software such as QuickBooks, XERO or MYOB.
Accounts payable experience requirements
Although many budding finance professionals choose to pursue a degree or similar formal qualification, this is not mandatory, and accounts payable can be an entry-level position if an employer is open to hiring staff with entry-level experience.
However, even an accounts payable officer with no previous experience in the role should have experience using Microsoft Office products, in particular Excel. Previous experience in roles requiring attention to detail would be helpful.
Accounts payable education and training requirements
Although no formal qualifications are required to work in an accounts payable role in Australia, most employers still prefer to hire someone with a bookkeeping or accounting qualification.
You may want to look for applicants who have completed a Diploma of Accounting, a Bachelor of Accounting or an equivalent qualification in finance, business or commerce. Other applicants may have no formal qualification but several years of experience in the role. Who you choose to hire depends on your company culture and preferences.
Accounts payable salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for an accounts payable officer is $75,218 per year. Salary level may be affected by a number of factors including, industry, employer, location and the candidate’s experience.
Job description samples for similar positions
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