Home › HRMS › Job roles › Finance and Accounts › Accounts Payable Executive
Finance and Accounts · Entry level

Accounts Payable Executive job description

An Accounts Payable Executive processes supplier invoices and prepares payments. They enter invoices, check them against orders and receipts, book the right tax and get them ready for the payment run. The role reports to the Accounts Manager and works with procurement and stores. A good AP Executive books invoices accurately, catches mismatches early and keeps vendor accounts clean, so suppliers are paid on time and never twice.

DetailFor this role
DepartmentFinance and Accounts
LevelEntry level
Reports toAccounts Manager
Direct reportsNone
Experience1 to 3 years in accounts payable

Accounts Payable Executive job description template

Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.

Job title: Accounts Payable Executive

Department: Finance and Accounts

Reports to: Accounts Manager

Location: [City], [office, branch or site]

About the role

An Accounts Payable Executive processes supplier invoices and prepares payments. They enter invoices, check them against orders and receipts, book the right tax and get them ready for the payment run. The role reports to the Accounts Manager and works with procurement and stores. A good AP Executive books invoices accurately, catches mismatches early and keeps vendor accounts clean, so suppliers are paid on time and never twice.

Key responsibilities

  • Enter supplier invoices and check them against purchase orders and goods received notes.
  • Flag price, quantity and tax mismatches and get them resolved before booking.
  • Book invoices with the correct GST, TDS and cost centre allocation.
  • Prepare the payment run list and get it checked before release.
  • Reconcile assigned vendor statements and clear old or disputed balances.
  • Track vendor advances and adjust them against invoices as they come in.
  • Answer vendor queries on invoice status and payment advice.
  • Maintain the vendor ledger and flag duplicate or dormant accounts.
  • Help prepare month end accruals for goods and services received.
  • Keep payable records, challans and payment proofs ready for audit.

Requirements

  • B.Com or M.Com
  • Knowledge of payables and GST on purchases
  • Tally or ERP experience
  • 1 to 3 years in accounts payable

KRAs and KPIs for a Accounts Payable Executive

Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.

Key result areaHow to measure it
Invoice processingInvoices booked within the agreed days of receipt and approval
Payment accuracyDuplicate or wrong payments held at zero through the year
On time paymentApproved invoices in scope paid within vendor terms each month
Vendor reconciliationAssigned vendor accounts reconciled monthly with differences cleared
Input creditGST input credit on booked invoices claimed correctly each month

Skills and tools

Accounts payableInvoice matchingGST and TDS on purchasesVendor reconciliationAccounting softwareMS ExcelAccuracyQuery handlingCoordination

Tools used day to day: SAP MM, Tally Prime, MS Excel, GST portal, Bank payment portals.

Reporting line and career path

Accounts ManagerAccounts PayableExecutive

Interview questions for a Accounts Payable Executive

  1. How do you check a supplier invoice before you book it?
  2. What do you do when an invoice does not match the purchase order?
  3. How do you handle TDS while booking a contractor bill?
  4. How do you prevent a duplicate payment to a vendor?
  5. How do you reconcile a vendor statement with our ledger?
  6. How do you handle a vendor chasing an overdue payment?

Managing a Accounts Payable Executive in ZeniaHR

Hire and manage your finance and accounts team in one place

Post the role, onboard the new hire, and track attendance, leave and KRAs in ZeniaHR. Free for your first 50 employees.

Book a free demoSee pricing

Frequently asked questions

What does an Accounts Payable Executive do?

An Accounts Payable Executive processes supplier invoices and prepares payments. They enter invoices, check them against orders and receipts, book the right tax, reconcile vendor accounts and prepare the payment run. Reporting to the Accounts Manager, the role keeps suppliers paid accurately and on time.

What is the difference between an AP Executive and an AP Specialist?

An Accounts Payable Executive handles invoice entry, matching and payment preparation, usually early in a career. An Accounts Payable Specialist owns the full payables process with more experience, including complex reconciliations, controls and vendor issues. The specialist role carries wider responsibility and judgement.

What qualifications does an Accounts Payable Executive need?

Most Accounts Payable Executive roles ask for a B.Com or M.Com with knowledge of payables and GST and TDS on purchases. One to three years of experience and comfort with an ERP or Tally are usual, along with accuracy and care to avoid wrong or duplicate payments.