Accounts Payable: A Day in The Life
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 มิ.ย. 2024
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If you work in accounts payable or you'd like to enter the field or maybe if you just curious about this role, In this video I will walk you through an actual day in the life of an accounts payable manager but then most importantly I'm going to show you what you can do to stand out from the herd and show you manager That you can handle way more than just accounts payable.
I have been a corporate controller for the past six or seven years and been in the accounting field for the last 15 years. If you've been following the channel you know that I am a CPA working in New York City and I started out in public accounting at PWC and now Work as a corporate controller at a software company. This video is based on my own experience.
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All views expressed on my channel are mine alone. Not intended as financial or professional advice
I definitely think AP can be a difficult role. I am a staff accountant right now and one of my tasks is helping to manage AR and that can be just as stressful if not more so. On the one hand, you have customers that sometimes can't pay you and some may even be trying their best but for whatever reason can't. You may want to be sympathetic, but on the other hand, you've got your own DSO metrics to worry about and finance management that wants it to come down or stay at a reasonable level. I think the worst call I ever had was a customer that broke down crying on me because they could not pay and were upset about it. Credit control and AR can be a tough position because you are caught in the middle of what your sales team and customers want and what finance/executive management wants. You are in the middle of these two sets of expectations and you have to take them both and turn them into something that both groups can accept. I think this is why it is so important to have soft skills and communication skills in finance and accounting. You can be very analytical and have a CPA, CMA or Masters/MBA and be very intelligent, but if you can't develop communication and negotiation skills, it is harder to rise further and get into top finance management like controller or CFO roles. I really like this channel by way, but this is the first time I have commented. There are a lot of great videos and tips here.
Thank you for this insight Angela!
You are welcome.
@@angelab1470 I work in AP for a not-for-profit. We are constantly struggling to pay our bills. We barely make payroll and whatever is left goes toward AP. Our aging is approximately $1.5 million, which is a lot for our small company that only employs about 170 people, with the majority only being part-time. I am out in a very hard position because, sometimes, you can only give so many excuses before the vendor says to pay now. We are riding on a tiny piece of thread with nearly every vendor. We are barely keeping our balance as most utilities have been threatened to be turned off. Sadly, it is a healthcare facility and we have these issues. It has become very hard for me because I know we are unable to pay. I pretty much just tell them that I have to talk to my supervisor and I will get back to them. Sadly, around any holiday, we even ignore them for a few days and say we were off on vacation during that time. It’s a very sad, and frightening, situation as I don’t know how much longer we can keep it up. I’m not even sure what to do at this point. I’m not sure my supervisor knows what to do either. It pains us with every invoice we get. It’s very sad.
@@babblesp1367 Thanks for your comment. It is good to hear from someone on the AP end about the struggles that position can face as well, although I am sorry you are having to go through this. I think both AP and AR are two of the toughest accounting positions at times for sure. I am really having to consider whether I want to stay in a position that would involve either one of these areas and I am considering looking for a different role in accounting that would not have direct involvement. I work at a fortune 500 public company and most of our customers are public fortune 500 companies as well and yet we still have issues getting some of them to pay at times. Quite a lot of the time it ends up just being red tape on their end with getting an invoice approved to pay (maybe they are waiting on the buyer to approve the PO) or something along those lines. It can be a bit frustrating when they go 90 days or more past due but still expect us to ship product to them when they haven't paid us. I have a lot more sympathy for small business owners that are trying to work out plans to pay us than I do with a multi-million dollar company that hasn't paid because of procedure issues on their own end. I hope you find a way to better your situation soon, it sounds like a really tough spot to be in, I wish you the best.
@@angelab1470 When things don't proceed in a straight way, try to proceed them in a reverse way :)
Maybe it works.
And failing to plan is planning to fail.
This is such a good video!! I actually feel like I know what the day to day life is like. Half the time these videos never actually describe the day to day life but just regurgitate the job description.
Dude! 2nd cup of coffee and e-mails so spot on.
Thank you so much Bill. Your videos are entertaining and straight to the point
I’m an accounts payable clerk V - I love my job! I process about 80 invoices a day and mange our e-commerce accounts for one of our 6 Divisions. It gets a bit challenging at the end of the month but I love the quick pace environment. 😊
How much do you get paid if you don’t mind me asking
in Vancouver BC it is not much, about 38-50k CAD depending on the company
I’m trying to find my seat as an Account payable clerk too. Is it possible to get a remote job? I would love a remote job be it part time or full time.
Which online platform would you recommend I study AP with mordant and practical examples.
Alison SAP/4HANA can be boring but I see someone use Quickbook and it’s interesting.
What’s your opinion please?
Hi, what application you are using for AP?
Thanks for the video. I just have started working as AP and this video is very helpful.
On.m.
Thank you for the contents, I am an accountant in Brazil and I need to use English in my daily routine at work…I am always watching your videos as a way of study!
Hey Cindy, thanks for watching
Hi Bill, thanks for another fabulous video. This is very informative. 👍👍 I like the way you editing your video now.
Thanks 🙏
The best description so far
Whew the emails are something serious. I just have to calmly say I understand your frustration and will work on getting this resolved. 😂
Yup that’s the only way to cope 😅
I have definitely sent our clients' AP teams very similar emails 😂😂 even down to the "I hope that you are well!".
Haha, i am guilty too :)
Very Helpful and in depth explained
You are only person which i was searching on youtube
Thanks man!
Clicked for the info, stayed for the corporate banter 😄👌
Skipped this video so many times thinking it's one of those show off day in the life videos where people show us how they woke up at 6am with make up on and took coffee from star bucks etc😊 I stand corrected. Thank you very much, learnt alot.
Haha thanks for this comment!
Will you kindly make a video on Accounting Softwares (ERP, SAP, TALLY, QUICKBOOKS, ADVANCE EXCEL) and which of these are more valuable? KINDLY.
Tally ? You are still living in early 2000s ?
@@roxymax8917bro sadly our company also using tally
@@roxymax8917 tally versions get updated and most Indian users are on Tally prime software
Hello, long time viewer and first time commenting. If at all possible would you please upload a video about accounts receivable jobs as well?
Excellent video. I have an accounting degree but never work in accounting.
Thank you my friend for everything
I’ve been in AP for 9 yrs. Great video!
Thanks Alicia 😅
Hi Alicia any tips / tricks to make it essier
I’m trying to find my seat as an Account payable clerk too. Is it possible to get a remote job? I would love a remote job be it part time or full time.
Which online platform would you recommend I study AP with mordant and practical examples.
Alison SAP/4HANA can be boring but I see someone use Quickbook and it’s interesting.
What’s your opinion please?
I’ve just gotten into A/R, slight confusing when your actually doing the job vs sitting in class learning it
This is super Bill, many thanks
In the same logic, I would appreciate if you can come up with a video on AR process and management
Ok will do Evan
@@TheFinancialController , please can u do that. Also what's the best way to keep your soft copies.
extremely helpful .. thank you
I experience this all the time working in AP.
Very informative…! Thanks
I work in a/p as an entry level job, I want to advance to public accounting but right now gaining experience.
The best video on AP I came across on youtube!
Please make videos about Tax and its reconciliation of output & input.
Thanks for this video
I like how this kind of started out sounding like the “Dear Stan” video.
His tone is so chill but I’m cracking up because he’s SO RIGHT. And I’m only up to 2:43
Please could you make a video about depreciation?
I’m currently in AP and while the role isn’t super satisfying and I started to on some AR and management account duties (and soon payroll), thanks have technology to make approvals easier (a software that sends an invoice
through a certain trail) and a semi-automated payment run report (thanks to Microsoft query and sage) , I find AP very easy.
That's awesome!
Hi Bill please can you consider doing the same video on Reconciliation manager position
Ok will do
Nice video.... Can you pls put a video on month or year-end closing.. Accruals recons etc.
Yes great idea
great video keeps me on reaching for the success path, Thank you!
Very informational, I'll be doing AP for a construction materials company and found this very helpful. Is Ariba allowing you to make payments as well?
And how is it going so far ?
I’m about to leave my AP position with a high volume subcontractor in TX. I loved it but unfortunately the expansion we’ve had and recent acquisitions have made it incredibly difficult to stay on top of my work and not lose my mind 😭 gotta put my fam first
Hi Bill,
Could you please share, who decides payable period? Financial Controller?
Hi, what the best approach to identifying volume of invoices by facility? Thank you
I work as an AR and its been 3 months and the workload is huge. Sending invoices, keeping track of past dues, creating memos, export invoices, agings, netting, hundred thousands of lines of data to process. Multiple tasks at one time to handle and compensation is low as compared to workload.
I am starting to consider other careers like staff accountant. Do you think that would be a better option?
It’s a better career trajectory with the staff accountant
I am currently working as accounts assistant, but prior to that was working in AP. I really enjoyed AP, the workload was crazy and a lot of chasing depots/managers and dealing with accounts going on stop. But it was a good challenge at times, I miss AP 😢
Hi eve, glad to hear someone who was excited for the job like a doctor whose on shift at ER. I'm starting in AP next month, I'm hoping to learn as much as possible.
Can you a video about different audits: Soc, Fs.
Thank you! What are your thoughts on someone with a non-accounting college degree and administrative experience getting into the field of A/P? Are there recommended ways to be better prepared?
Same here, I suggest a certification on Udemy
Pretty good!
I am an AP analyst with 6 years of experience and wondering about the salary range in the UK
i think i will be good at this job! I am working on a associates degree in accounting and I want this job! particularly in a auto dealership environment!!!
Also would you please advise me some certification courses in accounting world to boost up my earnings. Thank you.
could you please explain as what is upskilling in accounting world?
I’m am ap specialist and it is very redundant tedious work and have to be on top and following up with many departments. I am considering a a staff accountant role or financial analyst . Analyst is my first pick since I feel it would be less stressful what do you think ?
FA is more stressful. I like staff accountant
I’ve been doing accounts payable for three years now. I have a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an accounting focus. I just got a job offer for a staff accountant at a different company. I will be handling the accounts receivable, accounts payable, and payroll for many different entities. I’m kind of frightened about it since I’ve never done receivables or payroll. I’m also excited because I’ve been bored just doing payables. I’m hoping I enjoy it. Unfortunately, the drive to and from is twice the distance of my current job. I’m looking forward to learning more though. I’m excited to know what doors a staff accountant position will open.
receivables is fun actually and payroll as well :) you’ll be fine there’s a first time for everything!
@@shanicegrande8631 unfortunately, I turned it down. It was twice the distance I’m driving now, but it’s also a religious organization and they expect you to live by their morals and do additional things that involve that religion, and I’m not that religion. I’m hopeful something else will come along. Hopefully something that will pay even more with less of a drive.
Be Confident and trust yourself. Also, be willing to listen and learn! Good Luck!
@@babblesp1367 that's scary, forcing you to follow their religion? Unusual I suppose only in America!
@@MrRiz157 it was a Catholic organization, and I’m not Catholic. I’m not fully against, but I’m not for everything they do either. It paid more than I get now. It had really good benefits with employer paid health insurance even. Unfortunately, I just didn’t see it working out for me. I probably could’ve stayed there a year or so to get the experience, but I didn’t feel that was right either. Besides, all of the extra curricular things involving the church would probably exhaust me. It would be for the job too, not because I want it to be.
I"m an AP Specialist do you have any tips on how to improve my skills & to show my Comptroller that I could do a lot more than AP.
Great, Maryland.
Man this is so funny. My day to day life
Is A/P a good career choice?
Please explain the downstream activities of AP
Can you please do a video on whether to choose audit or tax for your career?
Yes it’s in my planner!
I get physical invoices all the time but I like working for small businesses. Some of these people have been in business longer than I've been alive 😆
4:49 well… except every organize Ive worked for us way behind the times apparently
Can you do a video on a day in the life of an account Receivables accountant?
Sure coming 🔜
Is there an sponsorship available for AP in the US for foreigners? Working offshore (Philippines) for a US based company for 3 years in AP. Thank you!
Hi sir, im a 2nd yr college student taking a bsba major finance, and to tell u honestly im still confuse about my course , im not really good at it, like the whole finance stuff looks still intimidating to me, but i really wanna be a person like u sir i like all the things you do, so i wanna say that you inspire me a lot, and somehow your videos bring a great help to me to know more about it and to learn on how these things actually work so thankyou sir I appreciate you. pls continue make more video :)) love from🇵🇭
sorry for being too dramatic i just appreciate someone like u ✌
Hi Sandra. Everything was intimidating to me also at first. Keep growing. It takes years to get comfortable with your own knowledge:)
@@TheFinancialController OMG thankyou sir!! I will continue learning and studying more, i wont stop learning, i know it feels uncomfortable to me rn but soon i will be successful in God's will, thankyou thankyou so much sir hope to see u, u inspire me : )
@@TheFinancialController Hello. I have a question about getting started in accounting.
I completed my masters in business administration with a concentration in accounting in 2021. I planned on finding a job in accounting, but I got sidetracked from taking care of my parents, and now it's been 2 years since I graduated. I don't remember much from my schooling, particularly when it comes to Excel. So, I'm unsure about applying for any accounting positions, because I have no prior job experience related to accounting.
What type of entry-level job(s) in the accounting field would you recommend to someone in my position?
One of my writing classes says 1-9 is spelled out in a sentence. Is that rule outdated (one, two, three)?
Can you make a video on financial statement forecasting?
Ok 👍🏿
Just started as an assistant in AP trying to help clean up after the last assistant and other issues in the accounting department. It's fun so far, but those "Where my money" emails are something lol.
Just started out in AP Senior officer role with my CMA. Been two weeks and they have let me only enter invoices in MIRO in SAP. I wonder where this journey takes me!
How far is the moon? Lol .....learn learn, take on some courses to grow....you will get there!!
Well it would be nice to understand why AP and AR people are so underestimate in terms of salary inside the organisations since they handle multiple issue. Unfortunately the work trend is that whatever customer/supplier contact role are treated lower than General ledger accountant or other type of accounting department which they do not have to interface with external stakeholders.
Also the trend is that AP and AR are mostly handled by junior people / entry level and this makes then these positions tough or not handled properly due to luck of experience, high turnover due to low salaries and so on....
Can anyone explain me why this happen ?
Lesser specialized knowledge is required in these roles. That is not to say no specialized knowledge is required and likely most anyone can be trained to do it even if one didn’t study any sort of accounting.
@@MaximusTheChosenOne Your answer is applicable to General ledger accounting, Inventory accounting , fixed asset and even controlling roles if we are talking about structured companies. I never understood why AP - Payment, AR and Cash collection keep to be underestimated when they are the core function to impact the cash flow.
AP is the team that keeps a company alive yet they are the most forgotten & the most sh*t on by everyone in the industry. Very little appreciation from everyone yet they're expected to jump through hoops to get last minute sh*t done. I've worked in AP across many industries and by far, it's the most underappreciated, unacknowledged department.
I agree
I keep looking for content on Excel that will prepare me for real life accounting jobs. I know there are plenty of channels but I am looking for something crisp and tailor-made for the future accountant that will deal with specific scenarios and even automation. I am wondering if you have something like that already or know of a course that I can take.
AI and tax accounting is the better half of a CS degree and SQL coding with python. There's a few business masters and standard B.A degrees from the big Ivy leagues that look into this kind of automation but it's actually almost like a hybrid C.S degree. Almost anyone can code but your ability to understand systems and networking logic, linear algebra, finance analytics, and macro and microeconomics on top of a regular Accounting B.A is what makes defining what AI does difficult. For now they use accounting to verify and check numerical expectations versus returns,losses, or unexpected non-payment or retrieval failures. Understanding the logic within coding and algorithms is a type of math not heavily focused on in a B.A unless you double major OR learning via a Master's program. (Better ROI on the later than the former.)
A Master's is designed for pursuit after you have work experience and a CPA requires 150 continuing education credits for most of the U.S. A double major is more work up front with less time to solidify skills OR concentrate on work experience necessary for recruitment to IT CS issues or general accounting.
The practice of using or evaluating AI mostly comes down to oppourtunity and job experience. A freshly minted B.S or B.A won't have the procedural knowledge to write an effective accounting program but a senior accountant might not have the tech knowledge to translate the instructions, limits, and security considerations into an AI/IT platform. Until AI models are solid and security risk managment figured out, most people I've met who transitioned to use if AI or other CS integrated platforms simply started with a B.A and approached certification via known Colleges and universities. As of yet, I've never seen a career course for this type of thing offered for someone on a base level IT course unless you're interested in Computer science in your free time. Most Master's degrees require a prerequisite test for coding experience before entry rather than a G.P.A or G.R.E score these days as they realize sometimes that test based evaluation for all subjects is not always relevant to a person's determination or ability to learn a group of subjects at a time.
I had worked. Both as a Account's Payable and receivable as well , let's see what's new in your , Knowledgeable. Video. However I love to as a Account receivable.
I have worked in accounts payable since 2.5 years and processing invoice is a really tedious job, I'm so drained after all these years. There was lots of learning but i believe there are better jobs i can do.
Develop more skills related to accruals and financial statements analysis (just basic month over month and actual vs budget) by asking your manager to get involved. It will be extra work but will pay off nicely in 1-2 years when you make a move into a more general accounting role
@@TheFinancialController Hey Bill, I'm really surprised to have got a reply from you. Big supporter of your work and an avid watcher.
I have decided to quit my job and focus full time on the CPA exam, and then work in the big4.
Can't agree more, I currently work on AP role, and every day there are at least 10-15 invoices (direct and indirect) to be approved by cross-checking Po no, GRN, business partner no, amount and delivery order. It is quite tedious and time-consuming. Plus, there are other tasks to be done during month-end closing. l am not a fast person, sometimes 8 hours is a nothing to me. I am just considering other less fast paced jobs as I hold MBA degree, any suggestions?
lol i love the intro
To me volume is the only justification to consider a payment method other than checks. My company barely processes 10 invoices a week. If we were seeing hundreds maybe thousands of invoices then I would consider a payment service.
My life everyday!
did accounts payable get incentives like customer service?
Nice video and I'm an AP accountant.Please suggest how to apply for jobs in USA from India with Indian degree but work experience in MNCs.
Am accountant for 20 years in Middle East I lost 7 years in USA not work in accountant now I need how can I returned to filed and best way to start
With an S corp, do you know if having an accounts payable plan is a red flag for the IRS. I am 100% shareholder of my Scorp and have an accountable plan!!
What is Sr Corporate Controller salary in Canada?
Hmm...did you have BA or other degree? Do think I need to get AA Degree or Certified?
How much do you get paid for what you do now and how much did you start with as an AP? I’m trying to see if this job is worth it lol
2:44 The most epic moment!
My company still receive invoice by regular mail. We have customers who as for invoices to be fax because they don't have email. 🙄. I ask that same question. Is this 2021 or 1921, lol ? I am baffled too. Sometimes we joke that we can send the invoice by telegram or by pigeons.
Hi sir is there any course in account payable , after that can I get job any country europe us or Canada
Doing ACCA with AP job can help me grow in finance career. Or should i opt some other course with AP ?
AAT is a good course also, I believe it’s probably more basic than ACCA and looks at things more on a transactional level
hahaha... making cofee is a one of main jobdesk while working as AP specialist..
Dude first time I see some BBVA (Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria) cheques, that's nice. Also, could you make a video on morality and ethic on the word of business? Like for example if you work for...let us say Deloitte, or another accounting firm, and they send you to the company or another country to do some auditing, and then over there the owner, of the company gives you a brand new Rolex, or another luxury item. Explain, what is the best outcome, or decision you can make.
Impressive catching the banks name!! And like the idea of integrity and morality
Interesting question, I think that's addressing what CPAs would refer to as an issue of independence or having no conflicts of interest in both fact and appearance. Some small gifts might be acceptable, but I'd do my best to politely decline most.
Hello Bill, I am the type of individual that needs constant changes in the work environment. I imagine myself being involved in many (fun) administrative tasks. I am concentrating in Accountancy at a California University. Am I making a good decision studying accounting? Thank you
Accounting can provide a very stable career and you could make a very decent living. There are constant changes but I’m not sure of these are the type of exciting changes you might be looking. The changes in the business can be related to the business model revenue streams changes in the accounting standards etc.
To piggy back off of Bill I think accounting is a great field with great job security and room for growth. I’m currently in AP but I’m on my way to one day become an CFO. I think it’s great from my experience. Thanks
I’m
Working in AP department for 1year now and not looking forward for another year.😂
Why?
how do i get started
Then they’re businesses that pay with credit cards… and you have to deal with daily limits and charge limits. 😒
Whether you’re managing those payables or collecting from them
Any legit website for Account receivable certification to get a job?
Moved to states recently kindly guide
Damn that caffeine intake comment is so correct 😂
Hi Bill i love your videos. I am AP specialist for one year now i have got an offer on PTP Accountant department do you think it would be good switch? No more payment 😀
It would be similar but look for a move if there will be a better mentor to teach you for example. It’s all about learning/growth and work life balance
@@TheFinancialController thank you so much!
Hey Bill, I'm an AP associate nd have been working for an MNC for 1 year 8 months but now I'm bored doing same things, processing invoices..not getting new things to learn. Simultaneously getting afraid of the fact that AI (Artificial Intelligence) is snatching our jobs in the days to come. Our Top Seniors says that in the coming 5 years 70 per cent of the resources will either get fired or get transferred to another process..... Life is unpredictable nowadays. Sometimes technological development is deterimental to humans.
Get out while you can
But can I become a financial analyst after working as a payable?
Yes but must get other experience after payable such as revenue/AR accounting and budgeting/forecasting
Best way to get entry level ap ar or bookkeeping toles with no direct experience?
Doing temp work (through agency)
@@TheFinancialController this still rings true. I just got my first temp agency AP position. Start Tuesday.
Thank you so much this is such a good video.
I will like to join your online courses but i can't find the link below. please send me your link.
Thanks in advanced.
It’s on my website, link in my channel ‘about’ section
@@TheFinancialControllerhelpful, what degree can I study to improve on my AP skills
Thanks for this video sir. I think I understand a lil bit of it. I'm already an incoming 4th yr student of BS accountancy course but I'm still confused that I took this course. I doubted the knowledge I have right now to become a successful CPA, can you give me motivations and advices sir? 🙂
During college I also felt I know nothing. Your real confidence will come from working on the job for a few years. The career is awesome and provides amazing earning opportunities
Thank you sir❣️
Is true
Mary Joy, accounting is boring. I took a principle of accounting course in 1977. That time accounting was not considered a path for financial wealth. Most of my family members are engineers and writers. I studied accounting because I had a love for numbers, but accounting is not about numbers. I love language-specifically English. Accounting does NOT allow me to learn and use words such as recalcitrant, obstreperous, obviate...the list goes on and on.
Pwoli
Do you have any course for Quick book? Or do yoi know somewhere I could enroll?
The Controller Academy is 7 hours and has about 2-3 hours of how to set up and run accounting in Quickbooks online.
@@TheFinancialController how can I enroll in the course?
Hey Bill, probably coming from another angle here than most. No college degree (not enrolled either) and just landed an accounts payable clerk position. (idk how either.) If I follow down this career path would you recommend going back to school? I've noticed most AP manager positions require a degree and/or 5-10 years experience. Obviously being 2 months in that's going to take a while. Any advice welcome! Thanks for the videos!
Yes I’d go back to school. You will earn so much more over your career
@@TheFinancialController BS in accounting, Bach of Bis Admin in Acct, etc. which degree would you say has the highest success rate?
Hello, I see that you should be 4 months in now. How is it going? Do you like it? Any advice for others?
Look at the Professional Accountancy Exams for education .....start from there as these will arm you with all you need to get to the moon......Top ....we all start from somewhere and experiences different. I have taken the Chartered route in the UK ( ACCA )......Good luck my friend.
@@markanthony7078 Please can you share on how a beginner like myself can learn about quickbooks in readiness for an account payable role?
Thanks as I await your feedback