Accounts Payable Manager CV Example
An accounts payable manager CV should highlight your leadership in overseeing purchase ledger operations, managing supplier relationships, and driving process improvements across the payables function.
Recommended template: ElegantPro
Key Skills to Include
Quick Tips
- Showcase the size of teams you have managed and the volume of invoices processed under your supervision.
- Highlight measurable improvements such as reduction in payment cycle times or early payment discount capture rates.
- Demonstrate your experience implementing or optimising automated AP systems.
- Include examples of how you have strengthened internal controls or resolved supplier disputes.
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Upgrade to ProHow to Write Your Accounts Payable Manager CV
An accounts payable manager CV must demonstrate both operational expertise and leadership capability. Hiring managers want to see that you can run a smooth, efficient payables function while also driving improvements and managing a team. Your CV should balance technical AP knowledge — such as three-way matching and ERP system proficiency — with evidence of people management, process optimisation, and stakeholder engagement.
CV Structure
Use a reverse-chronological format with a strong profile section at the top. Include clear context for each role — the company size, invoice volumes, team size, and systems used. Follow responsibilities with quantified achievements that demonstrate your impact. Group your skills into a dedicated section and ensure your professional development and system proficiencies are easy to find at a glance.
CV Format
Opt for a clean, corporate template with a two-column layout if it helps organise skills and key information alongside your experience. Keep formatting consistent throughout — matching date formats, bullet styles, and heading sizes. Avoid colour or graphics that could distract from the substance of your experience.
CV Profile Examples
Senior AP Manager
Results-driven accounts payable manager with ten years of experience overseeing high-volume payables operations across multi-site manufacturing environments. Skilled in managing teams of up to twelve, implementing invoice automation systems, and negotiating favourable payment terms with key suppliers. Achieved a 35% reduction in processing costs through successful ERP migration and workflow optimisation.
AP Manager — Shared Services
Experienced accounts payable manager with a strong background in shared services environments, processing over 15,000 invoices per month across multiple business units. Proficient in SAP and Oracle with a focus on driving compliance, reducing duplicate payments, and enhancing three-way matching processes. Known for building high-performing AP teams through coaching and clear performance metrics.
AP Manager — SME Background
Proactive accounts payable manager who has built and professionalised AP functions within growing SME businesses. Experienced in transitioning from manual processing to automated invoice workflows, managing supplier onboarding, and establishing robust internal controls. Combines hands-on transactional knowledge with strategic leadership to deliver efficient, scalable payables operations.
Summarise your AP management experience in three to four sentences, including team size, invoice volumes, and systems used. Highlight one headline achievement such as cost reduction or process automation success.
Key Skills for Your Accounts Payable Manager CV
Accounts Payable Management
Overseeing the full purchase-to-pay cycle from invoice receipt through to supplier payment and reconciliation.
Team Leadership
Recruiting, training, and managing AP teams to deliver accurate and timely processing against KPI targets.
Supplier Relationship Management
Building productive relationships with key suppliers to negotiate terms and resolve disputes efficiently.
Invoice Approval Workflows
Designing and managing automated invoice routing, coding, and approval processes within ERP systems.
ERP Systems (SAP, Oracle)
Configuring and using enterprise resource planning platforms for payables processing and reporting.
Cash Flow Management
Coordinating payment scheduling with treasury to optimise cash position and capture early payment discounts.
Process Improvement
Identifying bottlenecks in AP workflows and implementing solutions that increase speed and reduce error rates.
Month-End Close
Managing AP close procedures including accruals, goods-received-not-invoiced provisions, and creditor reconciliations.
Internal Controls
Establishing segregation of duties, authorisation limits, and duplicate detection controls to safeguard against fraud.
Work Experience Examples
For each role, begin with a contextual outline describing the organisation and your scope of responsibility. List four to five core responsibilities using action verbs, then follow with two to three achievements that include specific numbers. Employers want to see volume (invoices processed), speed (cycle time reductions), and accuracy (error rate improvements).
Accounts Payable Manager
Barrington Group Plc
Led the accounts payable function for a £180M turnover group, managing a team of eight processing 10,000 invoices per month across four divisions.
Responsibilities
- Managed end-to-end AP operations including invoice receipt, coding, approval workflows, and payment execution.
- Led weekly payment runs averaging £2.5M, prioritising cash allocation in line with treasury forecasts.
- Developed and maintained supplier relationship management processes, resolving disputes and renegotiating payment terms.
- Oversaw month-end AP close activities including accruals, GRN matching, and aged creditor reporting.
- Recruited, trained, and performance-managed a team of eight AP clerks and one team leader.
Achievements
- Reduced invoice processing time from 14 days to 5 days by implementing an automated three-way matching system within SAP.
- Captured £320,000 in early payment discounts in the first year by restructuring payment scheduling and supplier negotiations.
- Decreased duplicate payment rate from 1.2% to 0.1% through introduction of automated duplicate detection controls.
Senior Accounts Payable Supervisor
Hargreaves Construction Ltd
Supervised a five-person AP team handling payables for a £65M construction firm with over 400 active supplier accounts.
Responsibilities
- Managed daily invoice processing, ensuring correct cost coding to project codes and nominal accounts.
- Prepared weekly aged creditor reports and escalated overdue items requiring management intervention.
- Conducted regular supplier account reconciliations and resolved outstanding queries within agreed timeframes.
- Assisted the financial controller with cash flow forecasting by providing accurate AP commitment data.
Achievements
- Improved supplier payment accuracy to 99.5% by introducing a pre-payment verification checklist.
- Reduced outstanding supplier queries by 60% within six months through weekly reconciliation meetings.
Education & Qualifications
List relevant qualifications such as AAT, ACCA, or CIMA alongside your degree. If you have completed any AP-specific training or ERP certification courses, include these as they demonstrate specialist expertise.
AAT Qualified
Demonstrates foundational accounting competence that underpins accounts payable operations and financial processing.
ACCA (Part-Qualified)
Indicates progression towards a chartered accounting qualification with broad financial knowledge.
SAP Certification
Formal training in SAP financial modules used in enterprise accounts payable processing.
ILM Leadership
Institute of Leadership and Management qualification demonstrating people management and team development skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
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