A late payment run, a duplicated invoice, a vendor dispute that drags on for weeks — small accounts payable failures rarely make headlines, but they quietly erode cash flow and supplier trust. The Accounts Payable Management course from the Arab British Fellowship Training Academy takes participants from the basic mechanics of processing invoices through to the strategic side of AP: how it affects cash position, supplier relationships and organisational compliance.

Whether starting out in accounting or already managing an AP function, participants work through the full cycle — recording and verifying invoices, choosing payment methods, reconciling vendor accounts, and reporting accurately — while also learning to spot risk, prevent fraud and use AP data to support better financial decisions.

Who Should Attend?

• Accounts payable clerks and staff members.
• Financial officers and accountants building their AP knowledge.
• Managers responsible for AP operations or overseeing financial processes.
• Business owners looking to improve the efficiency of their AP system.
• Professionals moving into roles that involve AP oversight.

Objectives and Benefits:

• Understand the full scope and functions of the accounts payable process.
• Manage cash flow and vendor relations through effective AP practices.
• Process invoices accurately and set up reliable payment approval systems.
• See how accounts payable connects to broader financial operations.
• Handle reconciliation, compliance and AP risk with practical confidence.

Module 1: Accounts Payable's Role in the Financial Cycle

• The function of AP within broader financial operations
• Key terms, concepts and general ledger entries relevant to AP
• Recording invoices and reconciling AP accounts with the general ledger

Module 2: Managing Cash Flow Through Payment Terms

• How accounts payable affects overall cash flow
• Managing payment terms and negotiating supplier agreements
• The impact of payment schedules on the company's financial health

Module 3: From Invoice to Payment — The AP Workflow

• The invoice life cycle, from receipt to payment
• Documentation required for invoice verification, and how to check invoices against purchase orders and receipts
• Common processing errors, discrepancies and how to resolve them, including approval workflows

Module 4: Payment Methods, Automation and Technology

• Payment methods: bank transfers, cheques and electronic payments
• The benefits of e-payment systems and payment automation tools
• The role of ERP and accounting software, and integrating AP with other financial systems

Module 5: Vendor Relationships, Reconciliation and Data

• Maintaining effective communication and negotiating favourable terms with suppliers
• Reconciling vendor accounts and resolving payment disputes
• Keeping accurate supplier records and payment history, in line with data protection requirements

Module 6: Reporting, Compliance and Risk Control

• Regular AP reporting for financial transparency, and the KPIs worth tracking
• Legal and tax compliance considerations affecting AP
• Identifying AP risks and setting up fraud prevention measures

Module 7: Optimising and Steering AP Strategically

• Strategies for improving the efficiency and accuracy of the AP process
• Using AP data to make informed, strategic financial decisions
• Evaluating and improving vendor performance to generate cost savings