An accounts payable and receivable template tracks both sides of your cash: the money customers owe you (receivables) and the money you owe suppliers (payables), in one workbook. Seeing both together shows your net cash position at a glance.
This free template has a Receivables tab and a Payables tab, each tracking invoices or bills with due dates, amounts, outstanding balances and status, plus a Cash position tab that subtracts total payables from total receivables. It works in Excel or Google Sheets. For deeper receivables tracking, pair it with our AR tracker.
For a small business, watching money in against money out is the simplest early-warning system for a cash squeeze.
Accounts Payable and Receivable Template (Free Excel) (1:23)
What should an AP and AR template include?
An AP and AR template needs one place for money in, one place for money out, and a total that nets them off. Each line needs a due date and a status so you can see what is overdue on both sides. Five parts cover it:
- Receivables tab: customer invoices, amounts and outstanding balances.
- Payables tab: supplier bills, amounts and outstanding balances.
- Due dates: on every invoice and bill, so timing is visible.
- Status: Open, Overdue or Settled, calculated from the due date.
- Net cash position: total receivables minus total payables.
What is inside the accounts payable and receivable template?
The workbook has 3 tabs: Receivables for money in, Payables for money out, and Cash position, which subtracts total payables from total receivables to show the net position.
| Tab | What it tracks |
|---|---|
| Receivables | Money in: customer invoices, due dates, outstanding, status |
| Payables | Money out: supplier bills, due dates, outstanding, status |
| Cash position | Total receivables minus total payables, your net position |
Outstanding and status (Open, Overdue, Settled) calculate automatically on both tabs from today's date.
How do I track accounts payable and receivable together?
Use one workbook with 2 tabs, one for each side: receivables for money customers owe you and payables for money you owe suppliers. Track each invoice or bill with a due date and amount, let outstanding and status calculate, then compare the totals to see your net cash position. The template does this for you.
What is the net cash position?
The net cash position is your total receivables minus your total payables: a quick view of whether more money is due in than is due out. A positive figure is reassuring, but timing matters, so watch due dates on both sides. Intuit QuickBooks' 2025 Late Payments Report puts the amount the average US small business is owed in unpaid invoices at $17,500.
Should the same person handle AP and AR?
Different people should handle accounts payable and accounts receivable where possible, because one person controlling both incoming and outgoing cash weakens segregation of duties. Small teams that cannot separate them should add manager review of payments and receipts.
Is a combined template enough for a small business?
A combined template is enough for a small business with a manageable number of invoices and bills. As volumes grow, automated reminders and reconciliation save time, which is when dedicated software helps. See our AR software guide.
Does it work in Google Sheets?
The template works in Google Sheets: import the Excel file, and the SUM, IF and TODAY formulas across the 3 tabs calculate the same way as in Excel.
Last updated September 28, 2026. This guide is general information, not accounting, tax, or financial advice.