Accounts Payable as a career used to be treated as either a stepping stone, or overlooked in favour of what's sometimes seen as more more substantial roles in finance or accounting. These areas also tend to offer a more obvious direction in terms of professional development and career progression. These days the role performed by Accounts Payable professionals is more recognised as being a vital one - with an increasingly an important role in the management of a company’s cash flow and financial transactions with suppliers, contractors, and sub-contractors. On top of that, with the increase in technology and processes connecting the different areas of purchase to pay, it's a role where the ability to perform analysis of data is of growing importance. And it's no longer uncommon to have positions such as Directors of AP, or Global AP Director - opening up new and challenging opportunities for the business and individuals.