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How to Become an Accounts Payable Clerk: A Comprehensive Guide

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Introduction

Commerce is a field for students interested in financial information/transactions, economic value trade, and so on. Many students pursue Commerce courses after 12th. If you’re wondering how to become an Accounts Payable Clerk, this could be a good starting point.

Students interested in pursuing a career in business can choose from a variety of alternatives. One such career path could be learning how to become an Accounts Payable Clerk.

Candidates can enrol in the Commerce courses at the undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG), diploma, and doctoral levels. BCom, BBA, CA, CS, BBA LLB, BBM, BSc, and other UG Commerce courses are available to candidates. MCom, MBA, MPhil, MSc, and other PG Commerce courses are popular. In general, UG programmes in Commerce last three years, whereas PG programmes last two years. If you’re considering how to become an Accounts Payable Clerk, these courses could provide a solid foundation.

Accounting and Finance, Banking and Finance, Accounting and Taxation, Actuarial Science, Business Administration, Applied Economics, E-Commerce, Financial Accounting, Banking and Insurance, Human Resources, Entrepreneurship, Accounting and Auditing, and other specialisations are available in Commerce courses. These specialisations can be beneficial if you’re looking into how to become an Accounts Payable Clerk.

Skills Required

IT Skills

Eligibility & Courses

To pursue commerce courses after 12th with maths or without maths is one of the most perplexing topics for pupils.

As a commerce student in 12th grade, you must understand the fundamental ideas of economics, accounting, mathematics, and business studies. A solid understanding of these principles will aid you in your pursuit of additional education in the subject of trade.

Below mentioned is the eligibility criteria to opt for Commerce after 12th Courses:

Graduation	Post-Graduation
Candidates who have finished their Class 12 or equivalent level of study in the relevant subject from a recognized board are eligible to pursue a UG degree in Commerce.	Candidates must have earned their graduation degree in the Commerce stream from a recognized college or university to be considered for admission to the PG-level Commerce program.
Candidates who have studied accounting, mathematics, and economics, among other topics, are also eligible to apply.	Students must have graduated with a minimum of a 50 percent aggregate or equivalent (it may vary from college to college)
Candidates in Class 12 who are awaiting results are also eligible to apply.	–

Courses

This list of commerce courses after 12th can be found here. Learn more about the course, its requirements. Some of the programmes below require candidates to have a background in mathematics, while others welcome individuals with any educational experience.

BCom (Honours)	BBA LLB	BCA (IT and Software)
BCom Accounting and Taxation	BBA/ BMS	Chartered Accountancy (CA)
BCom Statistics	Cost and Management Accountant (CMA)	Company Secretary (CS)
BCom in Management Accounting and International Finance	BCom in Accounting	BCom Applied Economics
BCom Tourism and Travel Management	BCom Banking and Finance	BCom (General)
BCom Business Administration	BCom Marketing	Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

Top Colleges

After completing 10+2 Commerce, students may be unsure of which college to attend. The top Commerce institutions should be chosen based on the admissions cut-off percentages. When we think about the best Commerce colleges in India, we immediately think of Delhi University. However, in India, DU is not the only choice. Others include Christ University in Bangalore and Presidency College in Kolkata.

The teaching faculty, placement training, infrastructure, and other criteria all play a role in determining which colleges are the best in India. After completing their 10+2 boards, students should carefully consider which college to attend. Students who have taken science in grades 11 and 12 can also choose commerce.

Entrance Exams

Here is a list of admission tests for commerce students once they complete their 12th grade:

Exam name	Conducting body	For course
CA CPT (Chartered Accountant Common Proficiency Test)	Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)	Chartered Accountancy
CSEET (CS Executive Entrance Test)	Institute of Company Secretary of India (ICSI)	CS (Company Secretary Certification)
CMA Entrance Exam	Institute of Company Secretary of India (ICSI)	CMA (Cost and Management Accountant)
St. Xaviers Admission test	St. Xaviers, Mumbai	BMS (Bachelor of Management Studies) and BMM(Bachelor of Mass Media)
NMIMS-NPAT	Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS)	Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Economics/ Finance, B.Com (Hons) and Bachelor of Business Administration
Delhi University Joint Admission Test (DU-JAT)	University of Delhi	BA (Hons.) in Business Economics and Bachelor of Business Administration in Financial Investments Analysis
Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET)	Symbiosis International University (SIU)	Economics and Management Programmes
IPU CET	Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University	BBA and B.Com (Hons.)
ACET	Institute of Actuaries of India (IAI)	Actuary Science Courses
CFP (Certified Financial Planner Exam)	Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB), India	CFP (Certified Financial Planner)
BHU UET	Banaras Hindu University	B.Com (Hons.) Financial Markets Management, BA Economics and B.Com Hons.
LPU-NEST	Lovely Professional University	Management Courses
Patna Women’s College B.Com Entrance Exam (PUCET)	Patna Womens College	B.Com

Scholarships

Students can apply for a variety of scholarships in India and overseas to pursue their education in commerce. Scholarships are available for commerce students from both Indian and international colleges, allowing them to advance in this field without financial constraints. The table below lists some of the most popular scholarships for commerce students, along with their awards.

Job Profiles

1. Accounts Payable Clerk: The accounts payable clerk will be responsible for handling the company’s bills and managing its accounts payable ledger. In other words, the work of accounts payable clerks includes compiling and maintaining accounting records. Other tasks that the Account Payable Manager has to do include tasks such as, reconciling purchase orders, paying invoices by cash, checks or electronic payment methods, sorting and matching invoices and check requests, preparing and processing accounts payable wire transfers and other payments, preparing accounts analysis, resolving invoice discrepancies, maintaining vendor files, corresponding with vendors about issues or inquiries, producing monthly financial reports, assisting in month-end closing and calculation of salaries and benefits, data encoding of batch pay sheets, and helping in the distribution of paychecks.

Know the KRA & KPI of Accounts Payable Clerk

2. Accounts Payable Specialist: The Account Payable Specialist works to control and monitor the business expenses in detail oriented fashion. The Account payable specialist job requires them to process payments, verify invoices, and perform account reconciliations. To be a good Account payable specialist one should exhibit sound knowledge of best practices in accounting and experience in a similar role. The core task of an account specialist is to optimise the business’s expense control processes.

Know the KRA & KPI of Accounts Payable Specialist

3. Accounts Receivable Manager: Account receivable managers are responsible for managing the accounts of a company or organization while working with vendors, suppliers, and other third parties to ensure that their clients receive the best possible service while paying the lowest possible price. They are required to make sure that all payments are made on time and in full which includes tracking down delinquent accounts or negotiating payment plans with clients who are having trouble making timely payments.

Know the KRA & KPI of Accounts Receivable Manager

4. Billing Analyst: The billing analyst is responsible for coordinating with other departments to ensure all sales and orders are accurately billed for, setting clients up for billing, issuing invoices, and ensuring invoices correspond with balance sheet reports, reviewing medical records and billing forms to ensure that health care providers have billed their patients correctly, asked with resolving any billing issues that arise between doctors, hospitals, and insurance companies

Know the KRA & KPI of Billing Analyst

5. Billing Manager: The core responsibilities of Billing managers are responsible for overseeing the billing process at their company or organization, ensuring that all of the bills are being generated and sent out on time, tracking payments as they come in, and making sure that everything is being recorded correctly. They also have to manage responsible relationships with vendors and other suppliers of the business for proper bill maintenance, including negotiating contracts, reviewing proposals, and ensuring that the company gets the best possible deals on services and products it needs to operate.

Know the KRA & KPI of Billing Manager

6. Billing Clerk: Billing clerks are responsible for entering and maintaining customer information, billing them for services rendered, and handling any related inquiries or complaints along with generating invoices, updating databases, and performing other clerical duties. The billing clerk also has to do other tasks such as updating accounting records with issued invoices, new payments, customer information, etc

Know the KRA & KPI of Billing Clerk

7. Bookkeeper Office Manager: Office managers are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of their company’s office and managing a team of administrative staff, such as secretaries and receptionists, and they may also be tasked with managing other office equipment or supplies. Office managers typically have a wide range of responsibilities but more importantly, they ensure that their company runs smoothly and efficiently. This might include anything from scheduling meetings and appointments to ordering supplies or equipment, handling payroll issues, or even resolving conflicts.

Know the KRA & KPI of Bookkeeper Office Manager

8. Debt Collector: Debt collectors are responsible for collecting payments on debts that individuals or businesses owe to creditors while working directly with the creditors including, banks, credit card companies, independent collection agencies, etc. Debt collectors commonly use phone calls, letters, and other forms of communication to try to convince debtors to pay what they owe but if they wish to they have the authority to take more aggressive actions if necessary. These aggressive measures include seizing assets, garnishing wages, or even filing lawsuits against debtors who refuse to pay their debts.

Know the KRA & KPI of Debt Collector

9. Full Charge Bookkeeper: Full-charge bookkeepers are professionals who oversee all aspects of the bookkeeping process and commonly work with accountants and auditors to ensure that financial records are accurate, complete, and compliant with relevant regulations. Full-charge bookkeepers may also be tasked with developing systems procedures to improve efficiency or accuracy. The Full charge Bookkeeper also has to create automated reports or databases to make it easier to track transactions or generate reports in the future.

Know the KRA & KPI of Full Charge Bookkeeper

10. Payroll Accountant: Payroll accountants are responsible for handling the payroll-related activities of their organization. Their work includes calculating and recording employee hours, wages, taxes, etc., as well as preparing checks to be sent out at the end of each pay period.

Know the KRA & KPI of Payroll Accountant:

11. Payroll Specialist: Being a payroll specialist can be a challenging role due to the complexity as the role and the short turnaround time for payroll. Payroll specialists are accounting professionals who manage payroll-related activities within their organization by calculating and distributing employee paychecks, filing tax forms, handling benefits enrollment, etc. payroll accountants must have strong math skills along with an understanding of tax laws in order to do their job effectively.

Know the KRA & KPI of Payroll Specialist

12. Account Executive: An Account executive may work in many fields as accounting is required for all businesses, big and small, and is responsible for helping their companies In some fields, Account executives are also known as account handlers and sometimes also act as intermediaries between other departments within an organization to ensure the success of their clients.

Know the KRA & KPI of Account Executive

13. Account Coordinator: An Account Coordinator is the primary medium of communication between a company and its customers. They should help the clients navigate the company’s services or offerings. they may even be responsible for creating and executing marketing plans designed to attract new clients as they work directly with the clients. Their core task is to make clients happy and satisfied.

Know the KRA & KPI of Account Coordinator

14. Account Relationship Manager: The Core job responsibilities of an Account relations manager are to Maintain Good Relations with the clients of the business meanwhile actively seeking out new clients. They have to work in various settings within an organization such as Finance, retail, etc. They are responsible for building the interest of the general Masses in the current product or the brand.

Know the KRA & KPI of Account Relationship Manager

15. Accounting Office Manager: Accounting Office managers are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of their company’s office and managing a team of administrative staff, such as secretaries and receptionists, and they may also be tasked with managing other office equipment or supplies. Accounting Office managers typically have a wide range of responsibilities but more importantly, they ensure that their company runs smoothly and efficiently. This might include anything from scheduling meetings and appointments to ordering supplies or equipment, handling payroll issues, or even resolving conflicts.

Know the KRA & KPI of Accounting Office Manager

16. Cash Manager: They oversee the income as well as the outflow of cash in a business organization hence the name. They oversee all types of cash flows from vendors, clients, etc, so the efficiency of the business is maintained. they must be able to make sound financial decisions on a daily basis, including everything from deciding which invoices should be paid immediately versus waiting until the next payday, to determining how much cash should be kept in reserve at any given time.

Know the KRA & KPI of Cash Manager

17. Chief Accountant: Chief Accountants are professionals who oversee all aspects of the bookkeeping process and commonly work with accountants and auditors to ensure that financial records are accurate, complete, and compliant with relevant regulations. Chief Accountants may also be tasked with developing systems procedures to improve efficiency or accuracy. The Chief Accountant also has to create automated reports or databases to make it easier to track transactions or generate reports in the future.

Know the KRA & KPI of Chief Accountant

18. Audit Manager: An Audit manager needs leadership and management skills and is responsible for overseeing the work of auditors, ensuring that they complete their assignments in a timely manner and meet all relevant deadlines. Audit managers also commonly provide guidance and feedback to their team members on how best to conduct audits and interpret findings. This may include providing training or coaching on specific techniques or methods used by the organization.

Know the KRA & KPI of Audit Manager

19.Accountant: An Accountant may work in many fields as accounting is required for all businesses, big and small, and is responsible for helping their companies In some fields, Accountant s are also known as account handlers and sometimes also act as intermediaries between other departments within an organization to ensure the success of their clients.

Know the KRA & KPI of Accountant

20. Accounting Clerk: An Account Clerk may work in many fields as accounting is required for all businesses, big and small, and is responsible for helping their companies In some fields, Account Clerks are also known as account handlers and sometimes also act as intermediaries between other departments within an organization to ensure the success of their clients.

Know the KRA & KPI of Accounting Clerk

21. Junior Accountant: An Junior Accountant may work in many fields as accounting is required for all businesses, big and small, and is responsible for helping their companies In some fields, Junior Accountants s are also known as account handlers and sometimes also act as intermediaries between other departments within an organization to ensure the success of their clients.

Know the KRA & KPI of Junior Accountant

22. GST Compliance Executive: The core responsibilities of the GST Compliance Executive are responsible for overseeing the Filing of returns, Input Tax Credit Reconciliation, Payment of GST overseeing and ensuring timely compliance, Preparing & maintaining books of accounts, and reconciling of financial statements in compliance with the norms. Responsible for timely Filing of Accounts and Statutory Filings like GST, TDS, etc.

Know the KRA & KPI of GST Complaince Executive

Here are some of the job profiles which are available for candidates commerce courses after 12th:

Budget Analyst
Auditor
Chartered Management Accountant
Chief Finance Officer
Business Consultant
Finance Manager
Stock Broker
Production Manager
Management Accountant

Check out the table below for commerce job list and salary for Commerce students in India:

Top Recruiters

Pros and Cons (Commerce VS Science)

The most common fields of study among Indian students are science and commerce. After tenth grade, most students are undecided about whether to pursue science or commerce. While both disciplines offer a wealth of work options, there are other considerations to consider before choosing one. One’s inclination towards a particular field can be founded on rumour, but you don’t want to make a judgement based on that. So, if you’re undecided about which path to choose, here’s everything you need to know about Science vs Commerce:

FAQs

What is the first step to Become an Accounts Payable Clerk?

The first step is to pursue a relevant course in Commerce.

Do I need any special skills to Become an Accounts Payable Clerk?

Yes, you need skills in accounting and finance.

What courses should I take to Become an Accounts Payable Clerk?

Courses in Accounting and Finance, Banking and Finance, and Accounting and Taxation can be helpful.

How long does it take to Become an Accounts Payable Clerk?

It depends on the individual’s pace of learning and the specific course they choose.

Can I Become an Accounts Payable Clerk with a degree in Commerce?

Yes, a degree in Commerce can provide a good foundation for this career.

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