21/06/2026
Accounts Payable (AP) is the money a business owes its vendors or suppliers for goods and services purchased on credit. It is recorded as a current liability on a company’s balance sheet and typically represents short-term debts that must be paid back within 30 to 90 days.
Understanding AP involves knowing its core business functions and its exact placement in the broader accounting cycle:
1. How It Works
When a company receives supplies, inventory, or professional services but does not pay for them immediately, the supplier issues an invoice. The business logs this unpaid amount into Accounts Payable. Once the invoice is paid, the AP liability decreases by the corresponding amount.
2. Common Examples
Inventory & Supplies: Ordering raw materials or goods on credit to be sold later.
Utilities & Rent: Bills (electricity, water, internet) received and paid at the end of the month.
Professional Services: Invoices from legal, marketing, or IT consultants.