Accounts Payable Specialist Certification: Program Description & Classes

<h3 id="section---WhatCertificationProgramsAreAvailableToBecomeAnAccountsPayableSpecialist">What Certification Programs Are Available to Become an Accounts Payable Specialist?</h3> <p>Accounts payable specialists are accounting professionals who handle a company's payments to its suppliers and other invoicing groups. It is possible to earn certification as an accounts payable specialist through several different agencies, each with its own requirements, programs, and expectations. Most are fairly straightforward, but some can involve a series of classes before being allowed to apply for certification. Accounts Payable Specialist and Accounts Payable Manager certifications are available through the Institute of Finance &amp; Management (IOFM); the Certified Accounts Payable Associate (CAPA) and Certified Accounts Payable Professional (CAPP) are available through the Institute of Financial Operations (IFO); and a newer offering from Illumeo is the Certified Accounts Payable Specialist. Which certification is best for you may depend on your level of education, experience, and ability, as well as what your employer finds most desirable, so be sure to take these things into consideration before applying. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td><b>Accounts Payable Certifications</b></td><td> Certifications available through IOFM, IFO, or Illumeo</td></tr> <tr><td><b>IOFM Certification</b></td><td> APM certification for managers, APS for all others. Exam must be passed for certification, renewal each year</td></tr> <tr><td><b>IFO Certification</b></td><td> CAPP certification for managers, CAPA for all others. Exam must be passed for certification, renewal every 2 years</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Illumeo Certification</b></td><td> CAPS certification for all. 13 hour-long courses, each with its own exam that must be passed for certification</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---WhatIsInvolvedInAccountsPayableCertificationThroughIOFM">What Is Involved in Accounts Payable Certification Through IOFM?</h3> <p>IOFM's accounts payable certifications are perhaps the most straightforward in terms of what you get and what is required. To be eligible for the Accounts Payable Manager (APM) certification, you must have 5 years of experience with no degree, 4 years of experience with a 2-year (associate's) degree, 2 years of experience with a 4-year (bachelor's) degree, or 1 year of experience with a graduate degree. Eligibility for the Accounts Payable Specialist (APS) certification requires 3 years of experience with no degree, 2 years of experience with a 2-year degree, and 1 year of experience with a 4-year degree. The primary difference between the two certifications is a focus on leadership and communication for the APM, which aims to help with management ability. The program leading up to certification includes a series of training videos, a study guide, practice exam, and up to three attempts over the course of a year to pass the 100-question certification exam. The program goes over accounting terminology, dealing with fraud, records retention and destruction, and more. Once certified, 15 continuing education credits are required each year to remain certified. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatIsInvolvedInAccountsPayableCertificationThroughIFO">What Is Involved in Accounts Payable Certification Through IFO?</h3> <p>IFO offers two varieties of certification, the CAPA and CAPP, with the latter being similar to APM in that it is primarily for supervisors and managers. CAPP certification requires 2 years of manager experience with a bachelor's degree, 3 years of manager experience with an associate's degree, and 5 years of experience without a degree. CAPA certification requires 1 year of experience with an associate's degree or higher, or 3 years of experience with no degree. Study help is available through the respective certification exam's manual, their certification exam review series of self-guided study, or through free exam prep packets. Material covered includes customer relationships, invoice handling, fraud prevention, and audits. Once certified, CAPA holders will need 25 continuing professional education credits every 2 years, while CAPP holders require 40 credits to renew certification. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatIsInvolvedInAccountsPayableCertificationThroughIllumeo">What Is Involved in Accounts Payable Certification Through Illumeo?</h3> <p>Illumeo offers a Certified Accounts Payable Specialist (CAPS) certification program, which differs from the others in that it includes 13 video classes which each must be passed prior to receiving certification. These courses include accounts payable terminology, procure-to-pay, payment processes, and purchase order invoice transactions. Each course takes about an hour to complete, has an instructor of whom you may ask questions, and has a test at the end which must be passed by scoring at least 70%, although unlimited testing attempts are available. These courses can also count as continuing education credits for other certifications you may hold.</p>