Head of Transactional Finance

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Head of Transactional Finance to join a highly respected organisation in London, where your expertise will drive the transformation and ongoing excellence of end-to-end transactional finance operations. This permanent role is pivotal in ensuring the seamless delivery of Accounts Payable, Payroll, Billing, and Collections functions, all while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and exceptional internal customer service. You will be empowered to lead talented teams, implement robust financial controls, and champion process enhancements that support business objectives such as cashflow optimisation, audit readiness, and high-quality management information. If you are passionate about making a tangible impact through collaboration, innovation, and supportive leadership, this is your chance to shape the future of transactional finance within a forward-thinking environment that values flexibility and professional growth.

What You'll Do:

As Head of Transactional Finance you will play a central role in shaping the operational effectiveness of core finance functions. Your focus will be on delivering best-in-class services across Accounts Payable, Payroll, Billing and Collections while driving ongoing improvements that benefit both internal stakeholders and external partners. You will be responsible for leading high-performing teams who share your commitment to accuracy, compliance and excellent service delivery. By maintaining detailed process documentation and implementing robust controls you will ensure that all financial transactions are processed efficiently within agreed timelines. Your ability to identify opportunities for automation or simplification will be crucial in reducing manual workloads while improving overall cycle times. In addition to managing key reconciliations you will also take ownership of developing actionable KPIs that inform decision-making at every level. Collaboration is at the heart of this role; you will work closely with colleagues from various departments to resolve queries quickly while proactively seeking ways to enhance the end-to-end experience for suppliers and customers alike. Ultimately your efforts will underpin the organisation’s cashflow management objectives while ensuring full compliance with regulatory requirements.

* Provide day-to-day guidance for the Transactional Finance function covering Accounts Payable, Payroll, Billing and Collections to ensure accurate processing and an outstanding internal service culture.

* Lead, mentor and performance-manage direct reports including Finance Manager Billings and Collections as well as AP and Payroll Team Leaders by establishing clear goals and service standards.

* Maintain comprehensive process documentation such as Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), RACI matrices, approval thresholds and escalation routes for all transactional areas.

* Champion continuous improvement by regularly reviewing processes, controls and systems to reduce manual effort, eliminate rework, strengthen compliance and enhance cycle times for key activities like invoice processing or billing runs.

* Implement an ambitious improvement roadmap that delivers both quick wins and long-term change by collaborating closely with Finance Systems/IT teams and other stakeholders to introduce automation, workflow enhancements and improved reporting.

* Own key control accounts and reconciliations for AP, payroll and AR/control accounts by ensuring robust month-end routines with clear ownership structures, supporting evidence and strict deadlines.

* Ensure rigorous governance practices are followed including compliance with policies, maintenance of audit trails, segregation of duties and GDPR requirements where applicable; act as primary contact for internal/external audits related to transactional processes.

* Develop meaningful KPIs and management information across the function—such as invoice cycle time or cash collection performance—and lead action plans to address any areas requiring improvement.

* Partner effectively with colleagues in Finance, HR, Commercial, Procurement and operational teams to resolve issues promptly while continuously enhancing supplier and customer experiences.

* Support organisational cashflow objectives through effective payment runs, proactive collections strategies, clear credit control practices where relevant and accurate cash allocation while escalating risks or opportunities as needed.

What You’ll Bring:

To excel as Head of Transactional Finance you will bring substantial experience overseeing complex transactional finance operations within large organisations—demonstrating your ability to deliver reliable results underpinned by strong governance frameworks. Your technical acumen spans all aspects of financial controls from reconciliations through to policy compliance while your analytical mindset enables you to spot inefficiencies quickly before translating these insights into actionable improvements. You have a track record of successfully implementing new technologies or process enhancements that streamline workflows without compromising on quality or compliance. Your interpersonal skills allow you to build trusted relationships across multiple departments—ensuring that everyone works together towards shared goals. As an empathetic leader you know how to motivate teams by providing constructive feedback tailored to individual strengths while fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. Your qualifications reflect your deep knowledge base but it is your passion for continuous learning that truly sets you apart; whether adapting quickly to new systems or sharing best practice insights with colleagues you are always looking for ways to add value.

* Significant experience leading a transactional finance function encompassing Accounts Payable, Payroll as well as Accounts Receivable/Billing/Collections with a proven record of delivering high-quality service levels alongside robust controls.

* Strong technical understanding of transactional controls including reconciliations, approvals frameworks, audit trails, segregation of duties plus payroll or billing-specific controls.

* Demonstrated ability to improve end-to-end processes through standardisation, simplification or automation—translating analytical insights into practical changes that deliver measurable outcomes.

* Advanced systems capability including hands-on experience with ERP/finance systems (such as CODA), workflow tools or reporting platforms; advanced Excel skills are essential for defining requirements or partnering with system owners on improvements.

* Excellent stakeholder management skills enabling you to influence across Finance, HR, Commercial or Procurement functions while balancing control needs with pragmatic service delivery.

* Proven people leadership experience including coaching team members at different levels (Finance Manager Billings & Collections plus AP/Payroll Team Leaders), performance management responsibilities plus resource planning within a culture focused on continuous improvement.

* Relevant accounting qualification (e.g., AAT) or equivalent experience gained in similar senior-level transactional finance roles is required for success in this position.

* Experience working with specific systems such as CODA (ERP), Concur (expense management) or Zellis ResourceLink (payroll) would be advantageous but not essential.

What Sets this Company Apart:

This organisation stands out for its unwavering commitment to operational excellence combined with a genuine focus on employee wellbeing. Here you will find an inclusive workplace culture where collaboration is encouraged at every level—enabling individuals from diverse backgrounds to thrive together. The company invests heavily in professional development opportunities so you can continue growing your skills throughout your career journey. Flexible working arrangements are available wherever possible because they understand the importance of work-life balance in achieving long-term success. With supportive leadership at the helm you can expect regular feedback sessions designed not only to recognise achievements but also help identify areas for further growth—all within an environment that values transparency honesty mutual respect above all else. Whether partnering on cross-functional projects or contributing ideas during change programmes your voice will always be heard here making this an ideal place for those who want their contributions recognised whilst enjoying meaningful work every day.

What's next:

If you are ready to make a lasting impact in transactional finance operations within a supportive environment that values your expertise apply now!

Apply today by clicking on the link provided—your next rewarding career move awaits.

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