Accounts Payable Questions and Answers
General Experience & Background
Question 1: Could you walk me through your experience in accounts payable roles? What were your primary
responsibilities in your previous positions?
Answer: In my past jobs handling accounts payable, I was mainly responsible for making sure all the
company's bills got paid correctly and on time. This involved getting the bills (invoices), checking them to
make sure they were right, getting approval to pay them, and then actually making the payments. I also
talked to the companies we owed money to (vendors) if there were any problems or questions. Sometimes, I
also helped organize the paperwork and make sure everything was recorded properly.
Question 2: What types of accounting software and ERP systems have you worked with extensively? How
comfortable are you with learning new systems?
Answer: I've used different computer programs for accounting, like [mention a software you know, e.g., "Tally"
or "SAP"]. These programs help keep track of the money we owe. I'm also comfortable learning new
computer systems. If there's a new program to use, I can usually pick it up pretty quickly.
Question 3: Can you describe your experience with the full accounts payable cycle, from invoice receipt to
payment processing?
Answer: The whole process of accounts payable starts when we get a bill (invoice). Then, we check if it's
correct and if we actually bought what's on the bill. After that, someone needs to say it's okay to pay it.
Finally, we make the payment. I've been through all these steps in my previous jobs.
Question 4: Have you been involved in any process improvements or automation initiatives within the
accounts payable function? If so, can you provide an example?
Answer: Sometimes, I've helped make the way we pay bills better or faster. For example, at my last job, we
started using a new system that automatically sent reminders to people who needed to approve bills. This
helped us pay our bills on time more often.
Question 5: How do you stay updated with changes in accounting regulations and best practices relevant to
accounts payable?
Answer: I try to keep up with any new rules or better ways of doing things in accounts payable. I might read
newsletters or articles online, or sometimes attend short training sessions to learn about the latest updates.
Technical Skills & Knowledge
Question 6: Describe your experience with invoice processing, including handling discrepancies, coding
invoices to the correct general ledger accounts, and obtaining necessary approvals.
Answer: When I get a bill (invoice), I carefully look at it to make sure it matches what we ordered and
received. If there's a difference, I try to figure out why and fix it. I also need to put a special code on each bill
that tells our accounting system which part of the company's expenses this bill belongs to. And before we
pay, I always make sure the right person has said it's okay to pay the bill.
Question 7: How do you ensure accuracy and efficiency in data entry and record-keeping within accounts
payable?
Answer: To make sure everything is correct when I enter information, I double-check what I type. I also try to
keep all the records organized, usually using the computer system, so it's easy to find things later. I also try to
find quicker ways to do things without making mistakes.
Question 8: What is your understanding of different payment methods (e.g., ACH, wire transfer, checks) and
the processes involved in each?
Answer: There are different ways to pay bills. Sometimes we pay directly from our bank to the other
company's bank electronically (that's called ACH). For bigger or urgent payments, we might use a wire
transfer. And sometimes, we still use paper checks. Each way has its own steps to make sure the money
goes where it's supposed to.
Question 9: How do you approach vendor management, including setting up new vendors, maintaining
vendor records, and resolving vendor inquiries?
Answer: When we work with a new company we owe money to (a vendor), I make sure we have all their
correct information in our system. I also keep their details updated. If a vendor has a question about a
payment, I try to answer them clearly and help solve any issues they might have.
Question 10: What is your experience with preparing and processing employee expense reports?
Answer: Sometimes, employees spend their own money for work and need to be paid back. I've helped
process these expense reports by checking if they followed the company's rules, if they have the right
receipts, and then making sure they get their money back.
Problem-Solving & Analytical Skills
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