How to Become a Senior Accounts Payable Specialist?

Are you thinking of becoming a Senior Accounts Payable Specialist or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become a Senior Accounts Payable Specialist, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new Senior Accounts Payable Specialist job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.
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Steps to Become an Accounts Payable Specialist

If you're considering starting your Accounts Payable Specialist career path, it's important to note the skills, qualifications, and time it takes to become a professional Accounts Payable Specialist and how to advance your career path. Below are the steps generally required to begin and advance your Accounts Payable Specialist career.
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1

Earn a Degree

To begin your Accounts Payable Specialist career path, a Bachelor's Degree in Business or a related field is usually necessary in order to remain a competitive option for employers. Focus on industry-specific skill development during your education in order to be properly equipped when applying for entry-level positions and entering the job force. An Accounts Payable Specialist internship may be required to earn your Bachelor's Degree and acquire necessary on-the-job skills before entering the workforce.

What skills do you need to be an Accounts Payable Specialist?

  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Excellent Organizational
  • ERP System
  • General Ledger
  • Microsoft EXCEL
  • Expense Reporting
  • Effective Communication
  • Attention To Detail
Based on resume data from Glassdoor users who reported working as an Accounts Payable Specialist in the United States.
2

Choose a Specialty in Your Field

As an Accounts Payable Specialist, you may be required to choose a specialty within your field. Determine which part of the Accounts Payable Specialist field you feel strongest in, and continue taking active steps toward growing in your chosen Accounts Payable Specialist specialty.
3

Get an Entry-Level Position as an Accounts Payable Specialist

Once you've acquired a Bachelor's Degree in Business or a related field, you'll typically begin your career as an entry-level Accounts Payable Specialist. In general, you can become an Accounts Payable Specialist after completing your 4 year Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline. Depending on the type of Accounts Payable Specialist role you’re pursuing, you may want to explore certification in certified b corporation.
4

Advance in Your Accounts Payable Specialist Career

Following entry-level, there are several Accounts Payable Specialist career path levels to advance into. It can take 2 years as an entry-level Accounts Payable Specialist to progress to the senior accounts payable specialist position. Each advanced Accounts Payable Specialist position requires approximately 2 years of experience at each level to advance in your Accounts Payable Specialist career path. It may be necessary to receive additional education, an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree in a related field, or special certifications in order to advance your Accounts Payable Specialist career path.
5

Continued Education for Your Accounts Payable Specialist Career Path

Not all industries and companies require continued education to advance your Accounts Payable Specialist career path. However, earning this degree may help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly. Earning a Bachelor's Degree in Business can take 4 years to complete. People that have earned their Bachelor's Degree typically make $57,762 compared to $34,212 for those without that type of degree.

Senior Accounts Payable Specialist Career Path

Senior Accounts Payable Specialist

2 - 4Years of Experience
$47K - $62K /yrMost Likely Range
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80% advanced to

Accounts Payable Specialist IV

5 - 7Years of Experience
$45K - $60K /yrMost Likely Range
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Director of Accounting

8+Years of Experience
$129K - $209K /yrMost Likely Range
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Total Pay Trajectory

Senior Accounts Payable Specialist Career Path

Accounts Payable Specialist I
Assistant Manager of Accounting
Accounts Payable Specialist II
Senior Accounts Payable Specialist
Accounting Manager
Accounts Payable Specialist IV
Senior Manager of Accounting
Director of Accounting
Senior Director of Accounting
$0
$84K
$168K
$252K
$420K

Related Careers in the finance & accounting Industry

Interested in other finance & accounting careers? Below are occupations that have high affinity with Senior Accounts Payable Specialist skills. Discover some of the most common Senior Accounts Payable Specialist career transitions, along with skills overlap.

Management Accountant
0% skills overlap
13% transitioned to Management Accountant