Program Description
An Accounts Payable (AP) Specialist plays a crucial role in managing financial transactions, ensuring timely payments, and maintaining accurate financial records within an organization.
This program is designed to prepare students for the Institute of Finance & Management’s (IOFM) Accounts
Payable Specialist certification by providing comprehensive training on essential AP functions. It is ideal for individuals with prior AP knowledge who are looking to become certified.
Topics covered include invoice processing, payment management, travel and expense (T&E) administration,
automation in AP, and compliance with financial regulations. Participants will gain practical skills to
streamline accounts payable operations, enhance efficiency, and reduce errors.
Students entering this program should have a strong sense of self-discipline, basic computer skills, organizational abilities, attention to detail, and proficient problem-solving skills.
Careers in this field are available in a broad range of privately held companies, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Additional career information may be found in Career Coach: https://ccbcmd.emsicc.com/
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of this Continuing Education Workforce Certificate, students will be able to:
1. perform and execute accounts payable, internal controls, and tax and regulatory matters;
2. identify and propose process improvements in the accounts payable function;
3. recognize the importance of automation technology and apply it to the profession; and
4. prepare to take for the Institute of Finance & Management’s (IOFM) Accounts Payable Specialist certification exam.
CCBC Pathway
Business Pathway - Pathways are designed to help you meet your academic and career goals by aligning related courses and programs. Pathway students participate in a variety of activities that help explore career opportunities in their field of study. You can meet with a CCBC advisor who help align — or realign — your educational plan with the Pathway that best supports you and your goals.
Program Credentials
CCBC Credential:
Students will be awarded a Continuing Education Workforce Certificate, and will have access to a Continuing Education academic record (transcript).
External Credential:
Students will be prepared to sit for Accounts Payable Specialist (APS) certification exam.
Certifying Organization:
Institute of Finance & Management’s (IOFM) https://www.iofm.com/
Financial Aid and Payment Options
We offer financial aid by packaging public and private funding options to those who qualify, in select Continuing Education courses and programs. Additional opportunities for financial support include partial payment options through Nelnet Business Solutions and tuition waivers for those who qualify. Resources outside of CCBC may also be available through employer/sponsor paid tuition, the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), and your local office of workforce development.
Some CE Workforce Development Certificate Programs are eligible for early high school funding through Maryland Blueprint for qualifying BCPS high school students. Please check with your School Counseling Office to determine your eligibility for the BCPS Tuition Benefit Program.
Program Requirements
The Accounts Payable Specialist Certification course is specifically designed to help individuals with prior AP knowledge become certified. IOFM recommends that you meet one of the following for APS certification:
- No degree = 3 yrs. AP experience
- 2-year degree = 2 yrs. AP experience
- 4-year degree = 1 yr. AP experience
Hardware Requirements: This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.
Software Requirements:
- PC: Windows 8 or later.
- Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
- Any word processing application.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.
Application Process
To apply, go to www.ccbcmd.edu/apply and complete the CCBC Continuing Education Workforce Certificate program application. An email will then be sent with program information and any additional requirements necessary to apply for the program.
Open Entry – No screening or documentation required.
Prior Learning Assessment
This program has no options for obtaining course waiver(s) for prior learning.
Program Course Sequence
| Course Number | Course Title | Course Hours | Textbook Information (approximate cost; subject to change)** | Costs T=Tuition/F=Fees |
| ACC013 | Accounts Payable Specialist Certification | 30 | Online materials provided | $1,295* T-$50/F$1,245 exam cost included |
| PCO433 | Excel Basics for Business | 12 | Textbook required. Text or ebook; available through campus bookstore Microsoft Excel 2021 & 365: Level 1, Labyrinth Learning, $52 without e-lab, $86 with e-lab. | $189 T-$57/F-$132 |
| Course Series Totals: | | 42 | Up to $86 | $1,484 T-$107/F-$1,377 |
Additional Information
Career Opportunities:
Students will be better prepared to effectively lead others in a variety of business settings. Careers in this field are available in a broad range of privately held companies, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
Career Coach
Research your career interests, explore live job postings, take a career assessment, discover which companies in the Baltimore region are hiring, and more. View a brief tutorial video on how to use Career Coach at https://youtu.be/C7KpznbPYfA. Explore career and training opportunities at https://ccbcmd.emsicc.com/.
Contact Information
Program Coordinator: Julie Woo | jwoo@ccbcmd.edu |443-840-4302 | Owings Mills 305D
Administrative Assistant: Sarah Moore| smoore3@ccbcmd.edu | 443-840-1632 | Essex BESS 116
Return to: