As a senior member of the accounting department, accounts payable manager jobs are vital to keep companies in the black. They take on a range of responsibilities, from managing accounts payable (AP) staff and setting KPIs to resolving account issues and drafting financial policies.

All of that calls upon a specific set of accounts payable manager skills, which should be demonstrated throughout your CV. To make things easier, we’ve got an accounts payable manager CV example, customisable templates, and all the best tips and tricks specifically for accounts payable manager careers.

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    Accounts payable manager CV example

    Accounts payable manager cv sample

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    Accounts payable manager CV templates

    Best CV format for an accounts payable manager

    For an accounts payable manager role, clarity and structure matter just as much as content. Recruiters and finance hiring managers want to see your experience, responsibilities, and achievements quickly, so the chronological CV format is the best choice in most cases. This CV format lists your most recent role first, making it easy to track your career progression, leadership experience, and increasing responsibility within finance teams.

    A skills-based CV format can be useful for an accounts payable manager if you’re changing industries, returning to work after a career break, or moving into your first management role. In this case, placing a Key Skills section near the top allows you to highlight strengths such as process improvement, ERP systems, compliance, and team leadership before listing your work history.

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    How to write an accounts payable manager CV

    An accounts payable manager CV needs to prove three things fast: you can run a smooth payment process, you’re reliable with controls and compliance, and you can lead people and improve systems. The steps below will help you build a CV that’s ATS-friendly and focused on the results hiring managers care about.

    • Include your contact details

      Start your CV with a simple contact header so recruiters can reach you quickly. Make it short and easily readable. No icons, tables, or extra design elements. Include:

      • Full name
      • Phone number
      • Professional email address
      • Location (town/city is enough in the UK)
      • LinkedIn profile (only if it’s up to date)

    • Present your work experience

      Your work experience is the most important part of an accounts payable manager CV. Employers want to see not just where you’ve worked, but how well you’ve managed payments, people, and processes. List your roles in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent position.

      For each role, include:

      • Job title
      • Company name and location
      • Dates of employment (MM.YYYY format)
      • 4–6 bullet points focused on achievements


      When writing bullet points, prioritise outcomes over duties. Instead of listing day-to-day tasks, show the impact of your work using numbers wherever possible. Strong examples of what to include on your CV for an accounts payable manager include:

      • Size of invoice volumes or supplier base managed
      • Improvements to payment accuracy or cycle times
      • Cost savings, late-payment reductions, or audit results
      • Team leadership, training, or restructuring
      • ERP or finance system implementations

    • Detail your education and professional training

      The education section on an accounts payable manager CV supports your practical experience by showing you have a solid financial foundation. Keep this section clear and concise, placing it after your work experience unless you’re early in your career. Include:

      • Name of the qualification
      • Awarding institution
      • Location
      • Completion date (MM.YYYY format)

      If you hold a degree or higher-level qualification, list this first and keep your older education brief. You don’t need to include GCSEs unless the role specifically asks for them. You can also include relevant professional training or short courses here, especially if they support your management or finance skills.

    • Highlight the right accounts payable manager skills

      A strong skills section helps your accounts payable manager CV pass ATS screening and quickly shows employers you have the expertise they’re looking for. For an accounts payable manager, your skills should reflect technical finance knowledge, process control, and leadership ability.

      Aim to list 8–12 relevant hard & soft skills, grouped naturally rather than as a long, unfocused list. Prioritise skills mentioned in the job description.

      Sample hard skills may include:

      • Accounts payable management
      • Invoice processing and reconciliation
      • Payment runs and cash flow coordination
      • ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite)
      • Month-end and year-end close
      • Audit preparation and compliance
      • Supplier and vendor management


      Sample soft skills may include:

      • Team supervision and training
      • Process improvement and automation
      • Internal controls and risk management
      • Stakeholder communication
      • Cross-functional collaboration

    • Strengthen your CV with bonus sections

      Bonus sections aren’t mandatory, but they can make an accounts payable manager CV more competitive, especially in an employer’s market. Use them to add proof of expertise without overcrowding your main sections. Only include what adds value to the role.

      Useful bonus sections for an accounts payable manager include:

      • Certifications & Professional Memberships: Highlight credentials that reinforce credibility, such as AAT, ACCA (part-qualified or qualified), CIMA (relevant modules), or finance compliance training.
      • Systems & Tools: A short, scannable list of platforms you’ve used (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Sage, Workday, Concur, Excel—advanced).
      • Process Improvements & Projects: Briefly note major initiatives like ERP implementations, automation projects, or controls you introduced, with measurable results.
      • Compliance & Audit Experience: Useful if the role is regulated. Mention SOX exposure, internal audits, or external audit support.
      • Awards or Recognition: Include performance awards or recognition tied to cost savings, accuracy, or team leadership.

    • Write a strong personal profile (professional summary)

      A personal profile sits at the top of your accounts payable manager CV and should give recruiters a clear snapshot of who you are and what you bring as an accounts payable manager. Keep it to 3–4 focused sentences and tailor it to the role you’re applying for.

      A strong profile should cover:

      • Your job title and level of experience
      • Your core strengths in accounts payable and finance operations
      • 1–2 measurable achievements that show impact
      • The value you bring to the employer (accuracy, control, efficiency)

      Write your personal profile last, once the rest of your CV is complete. That makes it easier to pull out your strongest points and avoid vague or generic statements.

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    Dos and don’ts for an accounts payable manager CV

    DO
    Quantify your achievements

    Show measurable impact such as invoice volumes managed, payment accuracy rates, cycle time reductions, or cost savings.

    Use an ATS-friendly CV format

    Stick to a clean, single-column, reverse-chronological layout that recruiters and applicant tracking systems can easily scan.

    Highlight finance systems and tools

    Clearly list ERP systems and software such as SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Workday, or advanced Excel.

    Demonstrate leadership experience

    Make it clear how you’ve managed, trained, or developed accounts payable teams.

    Show compliance and control knowledge

    Include experience with audits, internal controls, and regulatory requirements where relevant.

    Tailor your CV to each role

    Adjust keywords, skills, and achievements to match the job description for better ATS and recruiter alignment.

    DON’T
    List duties without outcomes

    Avoid task-only bullet points that don’t explain what you achieved or improved.

    Use complex or decorative layouts

    Steer clear of tables, icons, photos, or graphics that can break ATS parsing.

    Hide or skip systems experience

    Don’t assume recruiters will infer your technical skills; state them clearly.

    Ignore people management

    An accounts payable manager CV should never read like an entry-level AP role.

    Include irrelevant or outdated information

    Remove old qualifications or sections that don’t support your suitability for the role.

    Send a generic CV

    Avoid using the same CV for every application without tailoring it to the employer’s needs.

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    Top FAQs about your accounts payable manager CV

    What does an accounts payable manager do on a daily basis?

    On a day-to-day basis, accounts payable managers handle the management of their team and resolve any issues that arise with accounts, finances or specific clients. They also monitor and analyse the company’s accounts more broadly to make sure everything is accurate, complete, and compliant.

    What skills do you need for accounts payable?

    An accounts payable job role requires a combination of technical finance skills and teamworking qualities. Good communication is key, both orally and in writing. You’ll also need an eye for detail, with technical capabilities in ledgers, balance sheets, and budgeting.

    How do I become a good accounts payable manager?

    A good accounts payable manager should have a track record of success in AP roles and responsibilities. This can be bolstered by a strong educational background, whether that’s an apprenticeship in business administration or a degree in finance. Your accounts payable manager CV should show how you’ve earned your stripes in accounts payable job roles to work your way up to an AP manager position.

    What are interview questions for accounts payable?

    When applying for AP manager roles, interview questions will focus on accounts payable job responsibilities and your experiences of them. That could include:

    • Tell us about a time when you’ve solved a discrepancy
    • What software have you used in previous roles?
    • How would you deal with an underperforming accounts payable assistant?
    • Do you have experience in recruiting accounts payable staff?
    • What’s your biggest achievement as an accounts payable manager?

    How much should an accounts payable manager make?

    As a senior member of the finance department, AP managers can expect to make upwards of £35,000 a year. The salary can increase depending on the size of your team with the potential for performance-based incentives too.

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    Build your accounts payable manager CV

    Writing a CV for AP manager roles doesn’t have to be as tricky as solving financial discrepancies. At myPerfectCV, we provide everything you need in one place. Use our CV examples as inspiration. Choose a professional template to get you started. Then access pre-written content tailored to accounts payable manager careers in our online builder.

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