Navigating through countless invoices to ensure accurate data entry and timely payments is a complex computer vision challenge in your Accounts Payable process. Our comprehensive guide offers practical solutions, leveraging cutting-edge CV technologies that streamline your invoice management and bolster your financial workflow.
- Applying the simplest CV design, so that recruiters can easily understand your expertise, skills, and professional background;
- Ensuring you stand out with your header, summary or objective statement, and a designated skills section;
- Creating your CV experience section - no matter how much expertise you have;
- Using real life professional CV examples to enhance the structure and outline of your profile.
If you still have no muse to write your professional CV, find some more industry-leading examples.
Structuring your accounts payable CV layout: four factors to keep in mind
There are plenty of best practices out there for your CV layout and design. At the end of the day, a clear format and concise CV message should be your top priority. Use your CV design to enhance separate sections, bringing them to the forefront of recruiters' attention. At the same time, you can write content that:- Follows the reverse chronological order in the experience section by first listing your most recent jobs;
- Incorporates your contact information in the header, but do skip out on the CV photo for roles in the UK;
- Is spotlighted in the most important sections of your CV, e.g. the summary or objective, experience, education, etc. to show just how you meet the job requirements;
- Is no longer than two-pages. Often, the one-page format can be optimal for your accounts payable CV.
Before submitting your CV, you may wonder whether to export it in Doc or PDF. With the PDF format, your information and layout stay intact. This is quite useful when your CV is assessed by the Applicant Tracker System (or the ATS) . The ATS is a software that scans your profile for all relevant information and can easily understand latest study on the ATS , which looks at your CV columns, design, and so much more.
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Use font size and style strategically to create a visual hierarchy, drawing the reader's eye to the most important information first (like your name and most recent job title).
The top sections on a accounts payable CV
- Professional Summary highlights your key achievements and expertise in managing payables.
- Core Competencies section lists your specific skills in accounts payable, such as invoice processing and payment reconciliations.
- Work Experience details your past roles and successes in managing vendor accounts and improving financial processes.
- Education and Certifications showcase your relevant qualifications and any specialised training in finance or accountancy.
- Technical Proficiencies indicate your familiarity with accounting software and tools essential for accounts payable tasks.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Emphasize your experience with accounting software and systems such as SAP, QuickBooks, or Xero, and describe your proficiency in automating and streamlining accounts payable processes.
- Highlight your ability to meticulously manage invoices, purchase orders, and payment transactions, showcasing your track record of maintaining accurate financial records and reports.
- Demonstrate your understanding of regulatory compliance, including knowledge of tax laws and experience with audit support, which are crucial in accounts payable management.
- Showcase your strong analytical skills and attention to detail by mentioning any previous roles where you successfully resolved discrepancies in vendor payments or reconciled financial statements.
- Include examples of collaborations with other departments such as procurement or budgeting, to exhibit your ability to work cross-functionally and contribute to broader financial goals and cost-saving initiatives.
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Our checklist for the must-have information in your accounts payable CV header
Right at the very top of your accounts payable CV is where you'd find the header section or the space for your contact details, headline, and professional photo. Wondering how to present your the name of the city you live in and the country abbreviation as your address;
- are tailored to the role you're applying for by integrating key job skills and requirements;
- showcase what your unique value is, most often in the form of your most noteworthy accomplishment;
- select your relevant qualifications, skills, or current role to pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. Still not sure how to write your CV headline? Our examples below showcase best practices on creating effective headlines:
Examples of good CV headlines for accounts payable:
Accounts Payable Specialist | AAT Qualified | Expert in Invoice Management | 5+ Years of Experience
Senior Accounts Payable Coordinator | Vendor Relations | Efficiency Improvement | ACCA Part-Qualified
Accounts Payable Analyst | Financial Reporting | Compliance Oversight | 8 Years in Finance Sector
Lead Accounts Payable Clerk | BSc in Accounting | Process Optimisation | Multi-Currency Transactions
Accounts Payable Manager | Strategic Planning | Staff Leadership | CIMA Certified | 10+ Years' Expertise
Junior Accounts Payable Assistant | Entry-Level | Reconciliation Pro | Proficient in SAP | Pursuing ACCA
Your accounts payable CV introduction: selecting between a summary and an objective
accounts payable candidates often wonder how to start writing their resumes. More specifically, how exactly can they use their opening statements to build a connection with recruiters, showcase their relevant skills, and spotlight job alignment. A tricky situation, we know. When crafting you accounts payable CV select between:
- A summary - to show an overview of your career so far, including your most significant achievements.
- An objective - to show a conscise overview of your career dreams and aspirations.
Find out more examples and ultimately, decide which type of opening statement will fit your profile in the next section of our guide:
CV summaries for a accounts payable job:
- With over 8 years of dedicated experience in high-volume accounts payable management for leading retail chains, I possess deep expertise in automated invoice processing systems, a track record of reducing outstanding payables by 30%, and a strong suite of negotiation and reconciliation skills.
- As a seasoned financial professional with 10 years of robust experience in accounting and budgeting within the manufacturing sector, my capabilities include streamlining payment processes, leveraging ERP software for efficiency gains, and a notable achievement of enhancing vendor relationships while slashing payment delays by 25%.
- Transitioning from a career in hospitality management, my 5 years of experience in overseeing operational finances have equipped me with a solid foundation in vendor management, keen attention to detail, and a commitment to adopting stringent cost control measures, which I aim to apply in the accounts payable domain.
- Eager to transfer strong analytical and project management skills from a 7-year tenure in software development, I am well-versed in quantitative analysis and possess a consistent record of implementing process improvements, aspiring to bring a fresh technological perspective to streamline the accounts payable function.
- Seeking to advance my career in a dynamic accounts payable environment where I can apply my recent degree in finance combined with my passion for analytics and proficiency in Excel. Driven to develop my expertise through hands-on experience, with a goal to contribute to the fiscal health and effective payment strategies of the team.
- Gearing up for a challenging first step into the financial sector, I bring a degree in business administration, enthusiasm for number crunching, and an eagerness to learn and excel. I am determined to harness my strong organisational skills and attention to detail to support the accounts payable department in achieving its objectives.
Best practices for writing your accounts payable CV experience section
If your profile matches the job requirements, the CV experience is the section which recruiters will spend the most time studying. Within your experience bullets, include not merely your career history, but, rather, your skills and outcomes from each individual role. Your best experience section should promote your profile by:
- including specific details and hard numbers as proof of your past success;
- listing your experience in the functional-based or hybrid format (by focusing on the skills), if you happen to have less professional, relevant expertise;
- showcasing your growth by organising your roles, starting with the latest and (hopefully) most senior one;
- staring off each experience bullet with a verb, following up with skills that match the job description, and the outcomes of your responsibility.
Add keywords from the job advert in your experience section, like the professional CV examples:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Managed the timely and accurate processing of up to 1,000 invoices per month, utilising accounting software such as SAP and Oracle to enhance efficiency.
- Conducted monthly reconciliation of supplier statements to ensure all accounts were up-to-date and discrepancies promptly addressed, mitigating risk of overpayment.
- Negotiated payment terms with suppliers to improve cash flow, successfully extending average payment terms by 15 days without compromising supplier relationships.
- Liaised with procurement and received teams to resolve price and quantity discrepancies, ensuring accurate billing and maintaining a 98% invoice accuracy rate.
- Implemented a new electronic approval workflow for invoices, reducing the average invoice approval time by 25% and supporting timely payment cycles.
- Assisted with month-end closing procedures, including accruals and prepayments, which contributed to a 15% reduction in closing timeframes.
- Processed employee expense reports and managed reimbursement process, ensuring all expenses were verified and compliant with company policies.
- Regularly reviewed and updated accounts payable policies and procedures to ensure alignment with current regulatory standards, achieving a 10% increase in audit compliance.
- Utilised data analytics to report on key accounts payable metrics, such as average invoice processing time and cost-per-invoice, helping to identify areas for process improvement.
- Streamlined invoice processing using SAP, resulting in a 25% increase in process efficiency for a monthly volume of approximately 2000 invoices.
- Managed a team of 4 AP clerks, enhancing team accuracy to 98% and consistently maintaining performance metrics above departmental targets.
- Led the project for transitioning to automated electronic payments, reducing manual payment processing time by 40% and cutting company costs by £15,000 annually.
- Reduced the monthly financial close cycle by three days through improved reconciliation processes and strategic overtime scheduling during peak periods.
- Negotiated with suppliers to extend payment terms from 30 to 60 days, improving the company's cash flow and working capital by £50,000 per quarter.
- Introduced a new expense reporting system which cut down on employee reimbursement time from two weeks to three days, enhancing employee satisfaction.
- Oversaw the implementation of a cloud-based accounts payable system, coordinating with IT and finance teams to ensure a smooth transition.
- Developed and conducted training sessions for 20 staff members to ensure adherence to updated invoice processing procedures that comply with internal controls.
- Cultivated relationships with key suppliers, reducing the average number of invoice disputes by 70% and maintaining a 99% on-time payment record.
- Headed the quarterly AP audit and coordinated with auditors, resulting in zero compliance issues over the 3-year period.
- Successfully migrated the accounts payable data to a new software platform with zero downtime or disruption to the payment cycle.
- Implemented regular vendor statement reconciliations, uncovering and rectifying £10,000 in historical invoice discrepancies.
- Facilitated the merger of accounts payable functions from two legacy companies, integrating systems and aligning policies without any delays in payment schedules.
- Identified and resolved a recurring error in VAT processing, recovering £6,000 and improving overall tax reporting accuracy.
- Pioneered a supplier self-service portal that reduced inbound payment status inquiries by 50%, allowing for more strategic use of the finance team's time.
- Performed detailed spend analysis reports on a bimonthly basis which informed department budget cuts of 10%, saving £20,000 annually.
- Collaborated with procurement to implement just-in-time inventory practices, reducing stock holding costs by 15%.
- Desgined and rolled out a new approval workflow for expense claims that cut processing times by a full day.
- Liaised with IT to automate data entry tasks using AI software, resulting in an annual reduction of 500 man-hours dedicated to manual entry.
- Championed a monthly cross-departmental reconciliation meeting, which drastically reduced the recurrence of inter-company billing errors.
- Conducted half-yearly supplier reviews and successfully renegotiated contract terms which led to a 5% cost saving across all major supply contracts.
- Revived a lagging accounts payable department by improving document management, resulting in a 20% increase in the speed of invoice turnaround.
- Provided comprehensive monthly AP aging reports to management that directly influenced strategic financial planning.
- Executed a successful credit recovery campaign for late payments, amassing over £8,000 in overdue funds within the first fiscal quarter of implementation.
Swapping your professional experience (when you have none) with skills and more
Never underestimate the importance of relevancе when it comes to your accounts payable CV. Even if you don't happen to have much or any standard (full-time contract) professional experience, this doesn't mean you shouldn't apply for the role. Instead of a bespoke CV experience section:
- Showcase more prominently any internships, part-time roles, and volunteer experience that are applicable to the role and have taught you job-crucial skills;
- Feature a strengths or achievements section with your transferrable skills or talents you've obtained thanks to your work or life experience;
- Write an objective statement that clearly outlines your values as a candidate and defines your career ambitions;
- List your education or certificates that match the job profile closer to the top of your CV.
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Include examples of how you adapted to new tools, environments, or work cultures, showing your flexibility.
Describing your unique skill set using both hard skills and soft skills
Your accounts payable CV provides you with the perfect opportunity to spotlight your talents, and at the same time - to pass any form of assessment. Focusing on your skill set across different CV sections is the way to go, as this would provide you with an opportunity to quantify your achievements and successes. There's one common, very simple mistake, which candidates tend to make at this stage. Short on time, they tend to hurry and mess up the spelling of some of the key technologies, skills, and keywords. Copy and paste the particular skill directly from the job requirement to your CV to pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. Now, your CV skills are divided into:
- Technical or hard skills, describing your comfort level with technologies (software and hardware). List your aptitude by curating your certifications, on the work success in the experience section, and technical projects. Use the dedicated skills section to provide recruiters with up to twelve technologies, that match the job requirements, and you're capable of using.
- People or soft skills provide you with an excellent background to communicate, work within a team, solve problems. Don't just copy-paste that you're a "leader" or excel at "analysis". Instead, provide tangible metrics that define your success inusing the particular skill within the strengths, achievements, summary/ objective sections.
Top skills for your accounts payable CV:
Invoice Processing
Accounts Payable Software
Data Entry
Financial Reporting
Reconciliation
General Ledger Management
Tax Compliance
ERP Systems
Payment Processing
Spreadsheet Proficiency
Attention to Detail
Organisation
Time Management
Communication
Problem-Solving
Teamwork
Adaptability
Integrity
Critical Thinking
Customer Service Orientation
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Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
CV education and certificates: your academic background as proof of your skill set
A common misconception about your accounts payable CV education is that you only need it, if you have less professional experience. That is completely false. The CV education section serves to back up your technical (and sometimes personal) capabilities, fill in gaps in your work history, and show you have the initial industry background and know-how. When creating your education section:
- List your degrees in the reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent (and relevant) ones first;
- Include your degree and university names, start and graduation dates. It's optional to also denote you received a "First-Class Honours" for diplomas that are more relevant to the role;
- Curate your relevant university coursework, projects, or thesis work if you happen to have less professional expertise and need to integrate more job keywords and skills.
Your professional qualifications don't need to stop at your academic background. It's advisable to also select up to three of your most noteworthy (and relevant) industry certificates and feature them in a dedicated section. Once more, include the certificate name, the institution that issued it out, and the date you obtained it on. You could feature both hard skills and soft skills certificates, as in the examples below:
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Use mini case studies or success stories in your CV to demonstrate how your skills have positively impacted previous roles or projects.
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Key takeaways
What matters most in your accounts payable CV-writing process is for you to create a personalised application. One that matches the role and also showcases your unique qualities and talents.
- Use the format to supplement the actual content, to stand out, and to ensure your CV experience is easy to comprehend and follows a logic;
- Invest time in building a succinct CV top one third. One that includes a header (with your contact details and headline), a summary or an objective statement (select the one that best fits your experience), and - potentially - a dedicated skills section or achievements (to fit both hard skills and soft skills requirements);
- Prioritise your most relevant (and senior) experience closer to the top of your CV. Always ensure you're following the "power verb, skill, and achievement" format for your bullets;
- Integrate both your technical and communication background across different sections of your CV to meet the job requirements;
- List your relevant education and certificates to fill in gaps in your CV history and prove to recrutiers you have relevant technical know-how.
