Accounts Payable Course

Lesson 1 • Coding and Chart of Accounts

Introduces nominal coding and how expenses are mapped to the chart of accounts. Accurate coding ensures correct financial reporting and budget tracking.

Lesson 2 • Role of the Purchase Ledger

Defines the purchase ledger's function within the broader finance department. Connects ledger management to cash flow, supplier relationships, and financial reporting accuracy.

Lesson 3 • Core Documents and Data Flow

Identifies essential documents that drive purchase ledger entries. Understanding document flow prevents errors and supports audit readiness.

Lesson 1 • Tax and Regulatory Compliance on Invoices

Explains mandatory invoice elements required for tax reclaim and regulatory compliance. Correct validation protects the organisation from penalties and disallowed deductions.

Lesson 2 • Posting Invoices to the Ledger

Demonstrates the accounting entries required to record approved invoices. Accurate posting maintains the integrity of the purchase ledger and trial balance.

Lesson 3 • Credit Notes and Invoice Reversals

Addresses the processing of supplier credit notes and the reversal of incorrect postings. Proper handling keeps supplier balances accurate and prevents overpayment.

Lesson 4 • Invoice Receipt and Logging

Covers methods for receiving invoices across paper, email, and electronic channels. Consistent logging practices form the foundation of an auditable payables process.

Lesson 1 • Payment Methods and Terms

Surveys available payment methods and how agreed terms govern payment timing. Selecting the right method balances cost, speed, and supplier expectations.

Lesson 2 • Payment Exceptions and Disputes

Addresses how to manage payment holds, disputes, and returned payments. Resolving exceptions promptly protects supplier relationships and ledger accuracy.

Lesson 3 • Posting Payments and Allocations

Covers the accounting entries for payments and the allocation of payments to invoices. Correct allocation keeps supplier accounts clean and statements accurate.

Lesson 4 • Payment Run Preparation

Guides students through selecting invoices due for payment and building a payment run. Systematic preparation prevents missed payments and duplicate disbursements.

Lesson 1 • Performing the Reconciliation

Teaches the step-by-step comparison of supplier statements to ledger balances. Systematic comparison isolates timing differences from genuine errors.

Lesson 2 • Documenting and Signing Off Reconciliations

Establishes standards for recording completed reconciliations and obtaining approval. Proper documentation supports internal audit and period-end close processes.

Lesson 3 • Purpose and Frequency of Reconciliation

Explains why supplier statement reconciliation is a critical control activity. Regular reconciliation prevents undetected errors from accumulating in the ledger.

Lesson 4 • Resolving Reconciling Items

Addresses the investigation and clearance of items that cause statement differences. Timely resolution prevents aged reconciling items from distorting liabilities.

Lesson 1 • Month-End Close Checklist

Provides a structured sequence of tasks to complete the purchase ledger close. A checklist approach ensures no critical step is omitted under time pressure.

Lesson 2 • Ongoing Ledger Housekeeping

Covers routine tasks that maintain ledger accuracy between period-end closes. Consistent housekeeping reduces the volume of corrections needed at month end.

Lesson 3 • Accruals and Cut-Off Procedures

Explains how to accrue for uninvoiced liabilities and enforce transaction cut-off. Accurate cut-off ensures expenses are recognised in the correct accounting period.

Lesson 4 • Aged Creditor Reporting

Teaches how to produce and interpret aged creditor reports for management review. Aged reports highlight overdue liabilities and support cash flow planning.

Lesson 1 • Control Framework Fundamentals

Introduces the principles of internal control as applied to accounts payable. A sound framework reduces the risk of error, fraud, and non-compliance.

Lesson 2 • Approval Hierarchies and Delegation

Explains how to structure authorisation limits and delegation of authority policies. Clear hierarchies ensure every transaction receives appropriate oversight.

Lesson 3 • Compliance with Tax and Regulatory Obligations

Addresses the purchase ledger's role in meeting tax reporting and regulatory obligations. Non-compliance exposes the organisation to financial penalties and reputational damage.

Lesson 4 • Control Testing and Audit Readiness

Teaches how to test the effectiveness of AP controls and prepare for internal and external audits. Regular testing identifies control gaps before auditors do.

Lesson 1 • Evaluating Automation Opportunities

Guides students in identifying manual tasks suitable for automation and building a business case. Structured evaluation ensures automation investments deliver measurable returns.

Lesson 2 • Reporting and Analytics in AP Systems

Teaches how to extract and interpret standard and custom reports from AP software. Data-driven insights support performance monitoring and process improvement.

Lesson 3 • Electronic Invoice Processing

Covers electronic data interchange and structured invoice formats that automate data capture. Automated capture reduces manual keying errors and accelerates processing cycles.

Lesson 4 • Accounts Payable Software Overview

Surveys the landscape of accounts payable software and their core functional modules. Understanding system capabilities helps practitioners maximise tool effectiveness.

Lesson 1 • Process Redesign and Standardisation

Guides students in redesigning inefficient workflows and creating standardised procedures. Standardisation reduces variability and supports consistent quality across the team.

Lesson 2 • Continuous Improvement Culture

Establishes how to embed a culture of ongoing improvement within the AP function. Sustained improvement requires team engagement and management commitment.

Lesson 3 • Key Performance Indicators for Payables

Defines the metrics used to evaluate purchase ledger efficiency and accuracy. Tracking the right KPIs enables data-driven management decisions.

Lesson 4 • Benchmarking and Target Setting

Explains how to compare performance against industry benchmarks and set improvement targets. Benchmarking reveals gaps and motivates structured improvement efforts.