Accounts Payable Manager

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Accounts Payable Manager to lead, manage, and develop the accounts payable team while owning the end-to-end accounts payable function. This role is critical in ensuring the accuracy, timeliness, and control of multi-currency invoice processing, payments, and reconciliations. The successful candidate will play a key role in the transition from Sage 200 to NetSuite, driving process improvements, automation opportunities, and strengthening controls.

The successful candidate will oversee all aspects of accounts payable operations, including supplier relationships, payment runs, staff expense claims, utility management, and cash forecasting. As the role evolves, they will also take on oversight of accounts receivable to support timely collections and provide a complete view of working capital. Additionally, they will contribute to ad hoc finance projects and continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop the accounts payable team by setting clear standards, managing workloads, and supporting performance and growth.
• Own the accounts payable function end-to-end, ensuring accurate multi-currency invoice processing, payments, and reconciliations.
• Play a lead role in transitioning from Sage 200 to NetSuite by reviewing current processes, recommending improved workflows, designing controls, testing systems, and embedding new processes.
• Identify opportunities to automate and streamline purchase-to-pay processes while strengthening controls and reducing manual effort.
• Oversee invoice checking, coding, approval through Kefron, ensuring proper analysis and authorisation before payment.
• Manage bank transactions recording and reconciliation of company bank accounts.
• Ensure invoices are matched to purchase orders accurately and supplier statements are reconciled with discrepancies resolved promptly.
• Partner with budget holders across the business to ensure invoices are approved and coded correctly while embedding good purchase-to-pay practices.
• Act as an escalation point for complex supplier queries while managing key supplier relationships.
• Oversee supplier account setup and maintenance with strict adherence to onboarding controls.
• Own monthly aged creditors reviews and AP-related month-end reconciliations while reporting key metrics to the Group Financial Controller.
• Process staff expense claims in line with company policy.
• Control payment runs and ad hoc supplier payments with appropriate authorisation for timely settlement.
• Manage day-to-day cash positions by forecasting short-term requirements, monitoring balances, and transferring funds between accounts as needed.
• Own the annual PSA return to HMRC while supporting carbon reporting requirements.
• Oversee utility management administration tasks.
• Manage the company credit card program by issuing cards, handling requests, and reconciling monthly transactions between accounting systems (e.g., Expensify).
• Take on oversight of accounts receivable as the role develops to support timely collections and working capital visibility.

The ideal candidate:

Communicates effectively by tailoring your approach to different audiences while confidently influencing across finance teams and the wider business. You proactively collaborate by building strong cross-functional relationships within finance teams or similar environments. You coach others by motivating team members with constructive feedback that supports their development.

Excels at workflow management by planning resources effectively to meet deadlines while building sustainable processes for accurate delivery. You dive deep into data-driven decisions by investigating variances thoroughly with attention to detail. You prioritise tasks based on value and risk while balancing daily operations with long-term improvements.

Embraces change positively by guiding your team through shifting priorities such as transitioning from Sage 200 to NetSuite. You reflect on performance regularly to identify areas for improvement.

Brings strong expertise in accounts payable processes and reconciliations alongside advanced Excel skills; familiarity with Sage 200 or NetSuite is advantageous but not essential. You connect AP processes to commercial value while aligning them with broader business priorities.

To Be Successful Here:

You are hands-on, solutions-focused, entrepreneurial, collaborative with humility and humor, eager to learn and teach others while staying resilient in a creative environment. You speak up when unsure but act fast to find solutions.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment where they can make a significant impact on financial operations while developing their leadership skills further.

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates