Creditors Clerk Job Description, Duties, Salary and Requirements

A creditors clerk (also known as an accounts payable clerk) works in an organisation’s finance department. This role is responsible for managing the company’s bills and payments to suppliers. In practice, the clerk receives and verifies supplier invoices, matches them with purchase orders, and ensures payments are made accurately and on time. They keep the creditors ledger up to date and help prepare financial reports. In short, creditors clerks play a key part in the accounts payable process, making sure vendors are paid correctly and the company’s books balance.

Duties and Responsibilities

Creditors clerks have a range of day-to-day tasks centred on supplier payments. Typical duties include:

Invoice processing: Receive supplier invoices, check for accuracy (correct prices, tax amounts and company details) and enter them into the accounting system.
Reconciling accounts: Match invoices to purchase orders or delivery notes, and reconcile supplier statements with the ledger to spot any discrepancies.
Preparing payments: Schedule payments according to due dates, and process electronic transfers or write cheques. This may involve loading payment batches on online banking or bookkeeping software.
Handling queries: Respond to supplier enquiries about payment status, fix any invoice or payment mistakes, and communicate with internal departments (e.g. purchasing) to resolve issues.
Record-keeping: File invoices and payment records, maintain up-to-date vendor files (bank details, contact info), and prepare documentation for auditors.
Month-end tasks: Assist with month-end closing by preparing accruals for unpaid invoices and reconciling control accounts.

These duties demand high accuracy and organisation. Employers often stress meeting payment deadlines, keeping orderly records, and following company financial policies.

Qualifications and Requirements

Entry into a creditors clerk role usually starts with a Matric (Grade 12) certificate. Many employers want a pass in Maths or Accounting at matric. A further qualification is often preferred, such as a bookkeeping or accounting diploma (e.g. a national diploma in financial management). For example, a public-sector job advertisement requires a Grade 12 plus a post-matric qualification in financial management or accounting. In practice, candidates might have:

A tertiary certificate or diploma in Accounting, Bookkeeping, Office Administration or related fields. (Qualifications from ICB, AT(SA) or NATED courses are common.)
Short courses or experience with accounting software (e.g. Sage Pastel, QuickBooks, SAP). Employers often require bookkeeping software skills.
Experience: Entry-level roles may ask for 0–2 years of related experience. Many listings prefer at least a few years of accounts payable or office experience.
Computer literacy: Familiarity with MS Office (especially Excel) and accounting programs is expected.

In summary, matric plus some accounting/bookkeeping training or experience is a typical requirement. Some employers also value professional courses (such as the ICB bookkeeping certificates) or learnerships in financial administration.

Key Skills and Competencies

A successful creditors clerk needs both technical and soft skills. Important competencies include:

Attention to detail: Checking invoices and data with accuracy is vital. (Even small errors in an invoice or payment can cause big problems later.).
Numeracy and organization: Clerks handle many numbers and documents daily. Good mathematical skills and a systematic approach to filing and record-keeping help prevent mistakes.
Computer & software skills: Proficiency with accounting software (e.g. Sage Pastel, SAP, QuickBooks) and spreadsheets (Excel) is a must. Fast data-entry and the ability to learn new systems are advantages.
Communication: Clerks must liaise with suppliers, colleagues and management. Clear written and verbal communication ensures that queries are handled smoothly.
Integrity and reliability: This role involves handling money and sensitive financial information. Employers expect honesty, trustworthiness and discretion.
Problem-solving: Discrepancies and delays occur. The clerk should be able to investigate invoice problems and find solutions (e.g. contacting a supplier to fix a billing error).

Other helpful traits include time management (meeting payment deadlines) and teamwork (working with the finance team and other departments). In short, a mix of accounting know-how, strong numeracy, software savvy and good people skills is essential.

Industries and Work Environments

Creditors clerks are found in virtually every sector that has an accounts department. Common workplaces include:

Private companies: Manufacturing firms, retail and distribution companies (FMCG), technology companies, hospitality chains and service businesses all hire creditors clerks. For example, listings have shown roles in retail, FMCG/food production, industrial property management and even sports organisations.
Public sector: Government departments, municipalities and state-owned enterprises (like utility agencies) employ clerks to manage invoices and payments. The example of the Department of Forestry (DFFE) shows a creditors clerk post in a government finance branch.
Non-profits and NGOs: Many non-government organisations (NGOs) and charities also need creditors clerks to handle grants and supplier payments, as seen in a Sonke Gender Justice job ad.
Financial firms: Banks, insurance companies, and accounting firms may have internal clerks or offer outsourced accounts payable services.
SMEs and large corporates: In South Africa, even small businesses often have bookkeeping staff; larger corporations have dedicated creditors teams.

In terms of environment, a creditors clerk usually works in an office setting during normal business hours. The finance team might be part of the head office or a regional branch (e.g. companies with branches in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, etc.). The job is mostly desk-based, using computers and phones to manage the workload. Some roles allow limited remote work or flexitime, but many are office-bound due to the need to access accounting systems directly.

Salary Expectations in 2025

Pay for creditors clerks in South Africa varies by experience, location and sector. Average pay: According to PayScale, the average accounts payable clerk earns about R186,500 per year in 2025. Entry-level clerks (under 1 year) average around R100,800 total compensation, while those with 1–4 years’ experience earn about R164,400 on average. Salaries can range broadly – the 10th percentile is around R101,000 and the 90th percentile around R295,000 per year. Another source puts the overall average near R213,000 and notes that “most experienced” clerks can earn up to R254,200.

By experience: Entry-level clerks often start on roughly R8,000–R12,000 per month (≈R96k–R144k per year). Junior clerks (2–3 years) may earn R12,000–R18,000 per month, while senior AP clerks with 5+ years can reach R20,000 or more per month. (Some sources note senior clerks or specialists earning R250k+ annually.)

By location: Big cities tend to pay higher. Indeed’s salary data shows, for example, Sandton (Gauteng) averaging about R27,219 per month vs Cape Town about R16,505 per month. Johannesburg and Pretoria are generally in between. Employers in major metros and financial hubs often offer the higher end of the scale. Rural or smaller-city posts (or non-profit sector jobs) may pay less.

By industry: Multinational and large companies (mining, banks, large retailers) tend to pay more, while small businesses or local NGOs may pay at or below the national average. Unionised or government clerks have fixed salary scales (for example, an Auditor-General listing shows about R228,000 per year for a “Financial Control” clerk). Bonus pay or benefits (like medical aid) vary by employer. In summary, a typical creditors clerk can expect roughly R8,000–R18,000 per month, rising with skill and role seniority.

Career Progression

A creditors clerk role offers several advancement paths. With experience and further training, one might become a Senior Creditors/Accounts Clerk or an Accounts Payable Supervisor, overseeing a team of juniors. The career path often leads toward broader accounting or finance roles. For example, clerks may move into accounts assistant or accounting officer positions, and with a diploma or degree, into roles like financial accountant or accountant. Some advance to accounts receivable (debtors) or payroll clerking for variety or to gain full-cycle accounting experience.

With additional qualifications (such as a B.Com degree, CTA, SAIPA membership or ACCA/CIMA papers), a clerk can progress to Senior Accountant, Finance Manager or even Financial Controller roles. Career coaches note that AP clerks with good performance and education can become Senior AP Specialists or Accounting Managers. In practice, building on a creditors clerk position often involves gaining a bookkeeping/ accounting certificate and then a higher qualification, which leads to higher-paying jobs. Taking responsibility for supervising others or leading process improvements also raises one’s profile for promotion.

Overall, a creditors clerk can use the role as a stepping-stone into more senior finance jobs. Learning about the full finance cycle opens up paths to accounts controlling, internal auditing or credit control. In some companies, a clerk who shows initiative may be promoted to Accounts Supervisor or Assistant Finance Manager after a few years. Gaining certificates (ICB, AT(SA), etc.) and experience tends to accelerate this progression.

Common Challenges and Tips

Key challenges for creditors clerks include high workload and tight deadlines. There are often many invoices to process each day, so clerks must work quickly and accurately. Another challenge is resolving errors: suppliers or internal staff sometimes submit incorrect invoices, and the clerk must spot and fix these promptly (e.g. incorrect PO numbers or tax codes). Managing multiple priorities is also hard – month-end closings, urgent payments and routine tasks all compete for attention.

Tips for success: Staying organised is crucial. Use checklists or spreadsheets to track invoice status and payment due dates. Double-check figures before approving payments. Develop good relationships with suppliers – prompt communication can quickly clear up queries. Familiarise yourself with the company’s finance systems and policies (especially VAT rules and company payment procedures). Attention to detail and a methodical approach prevent costly errors. Seek help when needed, and ask questions if a process is unclear. Over time, learn to use accounting shortcuts and automation in software (for example, recurring payments or budget reports) to improve efficiency. Regularly reconciling accounts (weekly or monthly) also keeps workloads manageable and helps catch mistakes early.

In summary, planning your day, organising documents well, and communicating clearly with vendors and colleagues are keys to handling the pressures of a creditors clerk’s job. Good clerks also continually update their skills (e.g. Excel functions, new tax regulations) to work more effectively.

Training and Education Options

There are many routes to qualify as a creditors clerk in South Africa. One common path is to study bookkeeping or financial management at a technical college or training institute. TVET colleges often offer programmes like the National Certificate: Bookkeeping (ICB). For example, False Bay TVET College offers a one-year NQF Level 3 Bookkeeping course (ICB Junior Bookkeeper) that lists “Creditors Clerk” as a career outcome. Completing such a certificate equips students with skills in accounting principles and software (often using Sage Pastel) that are directly relevant to the job.

Another route is the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) programmes. ICB’s Financial Accounting Foundation course (National Certificate Bookkeeping NQF4) explicitly “provides the skills to complete all the functions of… Creditors Clerk”. Many private colleges (like the South African College of Business) deliver ICB or AT(SA) courses. For instance, SACOB’s ICB bookkeeping courses prepare students for roles in accounts payable. Likewise, the Accounting Technicians SA (AT(SA)) learnership and certificates (backed by SAICA) are geared to entry-level accounting roles.

Learnerships and short courses: Some colleges and SETAs offer learnerships in basic accounting or office administration, which include accounts payable modules. Short courses (a few weeks) in bookkeeping, SAP finance or Sage Pastel are widely available through training providers. Even online courses (e.g. Udemy, Alison) can teach useful skills like Excel or accounting principles. For those already working, many employers pay for short courses in financial systems or offer on-the-job training.

Higher qualifications: A diploma in financial management or an accounting degree (from universities or private colleges like Damelin, Boston) can be pursued after matric, leading to more advanced roles. Modules in these programs cover accounts payable along with auditing and taxation.

In summary, prospective creditors clerks can take NATED or ICB bookkeeping certificates, short courses in financial software, or office-administration learnerships to prepare for the job. Completing a recognised bookkeeping qualification (NQF Levels 3–5) is a practical first step for this career.

Professional Bodies and Associations

While creditors clerk is not a regulated profession, there are several accounting and bookkeeping bodies in South Africa that offer guidance or membership to finance staff. These include:

Institute of Accounting Technicians (AT SA): A professional body (in partnership with SAICA) dedicated to accounting technician qualifications. Many clerks study AT(SA) certificates, and AT(SA) provides support and recognition for those roles.
Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB): An international examinations body for bookkeeping. ICB-certified courses are common for clerks, and ICB qualifications are recognised worldwide (ICB says its graduates are known to bodies like ACCA and CIMA).
SA Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA): A locally recognised body of accountants which offers membership to accounting technicians and bookkeepers. SAIPA runs bookkeeping and technician programs that clerks can join.
Institute of Accounting and Commerce (IAC): Another South African accounting body whose members include bookkeepers and accountants. It provides professional designation and learning resources.
Global bodies: International organisations such as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) have active memberships in SA. Clerks may pursue their certifications or use their local materials for advanced studies.

These associations often offer networking, study materials and professional development. For example, AT(SA) provides workshops and an exam curriculum focused on practical accounting skills. The South African Institute of Tax Practitioners (SAIT), the Southern African Institute of Business Accountants (SAIBA, now CIBA), or the SA Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) are broader accounting bodies that may be relevant later in one’s career.

Joining a body is optional, but it can provide credibility (letters like AT(SA) after your name) and keep you informed about industry standards. It also helps with making professional contacts in the finance community.