Accounts Payable Clerk Interview Questions & Answers

---

An accounts payable clerk pays a company's bills on time and makes sure the company is being billed the proper amounts. Accounts payable clerks usually receive, open and log invoices, as well as get approval to pay invoices from department heads when necessary. They typically have knowledge of general accounting and budgeting.

Whether you're a job seeker preparing to be interviewed for the role of Accounts Payable Clerk or an employer preparing to interview candidates for Accounts Payable Clerk position, these Accounts Payable Clerk interview questions will help you prepare yourself for the job interview session.

Accounts Payable Clerk Interview Questions

Below are a list of some skill-based Accounts Payable Clerk interview questions.

1. Can you provide an overview of your experience and background in accounts payable, including the industries and organizations you've worked for?
2. What accounting software or ERP systems are you familiar with, and can you discuss your proficiency in using them for accounts payable tasks?
3. Describe your understanding of the accounts payable process from invoice receipt to payment disbursement. How do you ensure accuracy and efficiency throughout this process?
4. How do you verify the accuracy of invoices, including confirming the correct vendor, payment terms, and pricing, and what steps do you take if discrepancies are found?
5. Can you discuss your experience with processing expense reports and employee reimbursements, including verifying receipts and compliance with company policies?
6. In accounts payable, timely payments are essential. How do you prioritize invoices for payment and ensure that payments are made within agreed-upon terms?
7. Explain your familiarity with tax regulations, including sales tax, and your ability to accurately apply tax codes when processing invoices.
8. Describe your approach to maintaining vendor relationships. How do you communicate with vendors about payment inquiries or discrepancies in a professional manner?
9. Accounts Payable Clerks often work with multiple departments, including procurement and finance. How do you collaborate with these departments to resolve issues and streamline the accounts payable process?
10. What steps do you take to maintain an organized and efficient accounts payable filing system for invoices, receipts, and payment documentation?
11. How do you handle situations where invoices are missing or incomplete, and you need to request additional information from vendors or internal departments to process payments?
12. Explain your experience with reconciling accounts payable records with vendor statements and resolving discrepancies or outstanding balances.
13. Accounts Payable Clerks may be responsible for preparing reports related to outstanding invoices or payment schedules. Can you discuss your proficiency in generating and analyzing accounts payable reports?
14. Describe your ability to adhere to internal controls and financial policies to ensure compliance and minimize errors or fraud in accounts payable processes.
15. How do you stay organized and meet deadlines when processing a high volume of invoices and payments in a fast-paced environment?
16. Imagine you receive an invoice from a vendor that appears to have incorrect pricing, but there is no documentation or communication regarding the pricing agreement. How would you proceed to resolve this discrepancy and ensure accurate payment?
17. You're responsible for processing a large volume of invoices, and you notice that several of them are approaching their payment due dates. However, the company is currently facing a cash flow issue. How would you prioritize which invoices to pay to manage the situation effectively?
18. A vendor has contacted you, claiming they have not received payment for an invoice you processed and paid. You have confirmation that the payment was sent. How would you investigate and resolve this issue, including providing proof of payment to the vendor?
19. Your company is undergoing an audit, and the auditors have requested access to specific invoices and supporting documentation from the past fiscal year. How would you efficiently retrieve and provide this information to the auditors while ensuring data security?
20. You've identified a recurring issue where duplicate invoices are being submitted by a vendor. How would you address this situation to prevent future occurrences and ensure efficient processing without overpaying?

Accounts Payable Clerk Interview Questions and Answers

Every interview is different and the questions may vary. However, there are lots of general questions that get asked at every interview.

Below are some common questions you'd expect during Accounts Payable Clerk interviews. Click on each question to see how to answer them.

1. Why Do You Want To Leave Your Current Job?
2. What is Your Greatest Strength?
3. Tell Me About Yourself
4. Why Do You Want This Job?
5. Are You a Leader or a Follower?
6. What Is Your Greatest Accomplishment?
7. What is Your Salary Expectation?
8. Do You Have Any Questions for Us?
9. Why Should We Hire You?
10. What is Your Greatest Weakness?

---