How the course works
- 1
Work through the modules in order
Each module links a hands-on walkthrough and the background guides. Plan on one module per sitting.
- 2
Do the tasks, not just the reading
Where a module has a walkthrough, do it in your own system or a sandbox.
- 3
Use the checklist
At the end, tick off the completion checklist. Anything you cannot tick, go back to.
Course modules
Module 1: How accounts payable works
The eight steps from invoice receipt to reconciliation, and who owns each one.
You will be able to:
- Describe the AP process end to end
- Explain why each step needs its own owner
Module 2: Vendor setup and tax forms
Adding vendors safely: approval, W-9, bank detail verification and 1099 status.
You will be able to:
- Onboard a vendor with a W-9 and verified bank details
- Decide whether a vendor needs a 1099
Module 3: Matching and exceptions
Two-way and three-way matching, tolerances, partial invoices and resolving variances.
You will be able to:
- Run a three-way match line by line
- Resolve a price or quantity exception
Module 4: Approvals and controls
Approval matrices, delegation, escalation, segregation of duties and duplicate checks.
You will be able to:
- Design an approval matrix by amount and department
- Name the checks that stop duplicate payments
Module 5: Paying bills
Payment runs, payment methods, early-payment discounts and recording payments.
You will be able to:
- Schedule and record a bill payment in QuickBooks Online
- Work out whether an early-payment discount is worth taking
Module 6: Month-end close and reconciliation
Cut-off, accruals, the AP close checklist and reconciling AP to the ledger.
You will be able to:
- Run the AP month-end checklist
- Reconcile the AP aging to the balance sheet
Module 7: Measuring AP
Cost per invoice, exception rate and days payable outstanding, with published benchmarks.
You will be able to:
- Calculate cost per invoice and exception rate
- Compare your DPO with your industry
Completion checklist
For your own tracking. This course does not award a certificate or certification.
- I can describe the eight steps of the AP process and who owns each one.
- I can onboard a vendor with an approved request, a W-9, verified bank details and a 1099 decision.
- I can run a three-way match and explain why a line failed.
- I can design an approval matrix with delegation and escalation.
- I can schedule a bill payment and record a payment made elsewhere.
- I can run the AP month-end checklist and reconcile AP to the balance sheet.
- I can calculate cost per invoice, exception rate and DPO and compare them with benchmarks.
Frequently asked questions
Is this accounts payable course free?
Yes. Every module is free to read, with no sign-up.
Do I get a certificate at the end?
No. This course does not award a certificate or a certification. The completion checklist is for your own tracking. If you need a recognized credential, professional bodies offer paid accounts payable certification programmes.
Who is the course for?
New AP specialists, bookkeepers taking on payables, approvers who want to understand the process, and admins setting up an AP system.
Do I need Aequo AP to take the course?
No. Each walkthrough explains the steps in plain language first. The Aequo, QuickBooks Online and Xero sections show how to do them in those systems.
Try it in Aequo AP
Aequo AP captures invoices, matches them to purchase orders and delivery notes, routes approvals and flags exceptions and duplicates, then syncs approved bills with QuickBooks Online, Xero, FreshBooks or Zoho Books.