Career Paths for Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable Roles

What Are Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable Jobs?

Accounts receivable (AR) are funds that a customer or client has not yet paid the provider of a good or service. Accounts payable (AP) are funds owed to the vendor or provider of a good or service that has not yet been paid for. Maintaining consistent documentation of AR and AP allows you to uphold an organization that is financially healthy and sound. This responsibility falls to those who hold AR/AP roles at every level. Read on to learn more about the different career paths suited to AR/AP professionals.

Accounts Receivable/ Accounts Payable Specialist

Accounts receivable/accounts payable specialists play a crucial role in upholding the financial wellness of an organization. A specific level of education is essential for entry into this niche accounting field. At a minimum, you will need an associate degree in either accounting or billing, though a bachelor’s degree is preferred. Accounting is the recommended course of study, but a finance or business program could also prove useful.

A master’s degree will allow you to expand your knowledge of this facet of the accounting industry. Accounts receivable/accounts payable specialist positions can start as entry-level roles, with many companies factoring in educational experience and transferable skills from previous roles. Many accounts receivable/accounts payable specialists also receive on-site training that allows them to develop in these roles.

Accounts Receivable/ Accounts Payable Manager

At a minimum, you will need a bachelor’s degree to be considered for an accounts receivable/accounts payable manager role. As mentioned above, your course of study will typically be accounting, business or finance. A master’s degree will boost your understanding of the accounting industry.

The other prerequisite for a managerial role is strong leadership skills. You need to be able to assist with training incoming accounts receivable/accounts payable specialists and oversee their performance at work. As such, you need to develop your interpersonal skills and communication with members of your team. Maintaining a positive attitude, soliciting routine feedback and keeping your interactions intentional and focused is a key to establishing yourself as a leader, well-suited to a managerial position.

Your Accounts Receivable/ Accounts Payable Career Journey

An AR/AP role calls for a dedicated accounting professional committed to monitoring company finances with integrity and diligence. Although a finance-based educational background is preferred, a highly dedicated individual with transferable skills from previous roles is not to be counted out. If you’re interested in pursuing an accounts receivable/accounts payable career, contact an Aston Carter recruiter today.