Vendor Master File Master Class (2026 Updates)

Course type: Self-study | On-demand

Registration fee: $275 per learner

IOFM CEUs available: 3

Estimated learning hours: 1-3

Technology Requirements: Most updated version of Google Chrome, a desktop/laptop computer with a strong Internet connection

Course description: The vendor master file (VMF) is a cornerstone of the procure-to-pay process. Data entered in the VMF can drive efficiencies and ensure accuracy in the creation of requisitions, purchase orders, invoices, payments, and entries to the general ledger. 

The Vendor Master File Master Class has been updated for 2026 with expanded fraud prevention content, new best practices for collecting vendor contact information, and enhanced guidance on validating both US and non-US vendors, banking details, access controls, and vendor portals. Plus, 18 minutes of new videos have been added to bring key concepts to life!

Enrollment includes: This class includes an e-textbook, short video and three attempts at the final exam. Enrollment expires one year from date of purchase. 

On-demand class registration is open!

Enroll Now

Member discounts apply. Make sure that you are logged in before completing your registration in order to get your member pricing. 

Course instructor:

Debra Richardson, MBA, CFE, APM, APPM, CPRS, Accounts Payable Consultant | Speaker | Trainer, Debra R. Richardson, LLC 

Debra is an Accounts Payable speaker, consultant, and trainer with over 20 years of experience in AP, AR, general ledger, and financial reporting for Fortune 500 companies including Verizon, General Motors, and Aramark. 

For over a decade, Debra has focused on Global Vendor Maintenance and implemented a vendor self-registration portal for 140k+ global vendors across seven ERPs. In her consultancy, she focuses on authentication techniques, internal controls and best practices to prevent fraud in the vendor master file.  She is the President of the Central Atlantic Region IOFM Chapter and the IOFM Ask the Expert for the Vendor Master File Category.   

A Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Debra works with vendor management teams to clean their vendor data and update their vendor processes so they pay the right vendor. 

She has a YouTube channel where she posts vendor master file tips every Tuesday and hosts a weekly podcast: “Putting the AP in hAPpy”. 

Pam Miller, APM
Senior Trainer, IOFM

Pam Miller was the first candidate to earn AP Certification as an Accredited Payables Manager (APM) with distinction. Pam was the Director of AP at BMC Select for 15 years. The AP Department at BMC is known as a leader in implementing electronic solutions to streamline everyday business processes. Pam and her department have received several awards recognizing their commitment to ECM.

Pam is recognized in the Accounts Payable world as an innovator and an early adopter of AP related technologies. Pam moved to AP after spending six years in Information Technology implementing point of sale software. Pam has the ability to bridge the gap between IT and business software users. Modifications and applications developed on the basis of her analysis of business and user issues with several software packages have subsequently been adopted by the developers of these software packages into their next releases.

Pam has written and presented sessions and workshops on a variety of topics pertinent to Accounts Payable and management issues in general. Pam has extensive real world experience with EDI, imaging and workflow, electronic payments, purchasing cards, audit related issues, and the effects of Chapter 11 on an Accounts Payable department.

Continuing education credits available!

 Continuing Education for IOFM Certification

Receive 3 CEUs toward maintaining a certification with IOFM! IOFM's premier certification programs are designed to establish standards for the industry and recognize financial operations professionals who, by possessing related work experience and passing a comprehensive exam, have met stringent requirements for mastering the body of knowledge in their profession. Additional rules may apply, depending on your certification. See full guidelines here.