Accounts Payable

Accounts Payable Specialist

Location: Hybrid - Manchester
Type: Full-Time
Compensation: Competitive Salary + Benefits

About the Role

We're looking for an Accounts Payable professional who enjoys bringing order to financial processes, building strong vendor relationships, and ensuring accurate, timely payments. This position offers exposure to all aspects of the procure-to-pay cycle and can be tailored to the experience level of the successful candidate.

Whether you're an emerging AP professional looking to grow or a seasoned specialist with process improvement experience, we'd like to hear from you.

We're particularly interested in candidates who have gone beyond transactional Accounts Payable work. Experience leading process improvements, implementing new systems, building reports and dashboards, creating controls, managing vendor relationships, supporting audits, or mentoring team members will be highly valued. If you've found ways to make AP faster, more accurate, or more efficient, we want to hear about it.

What You'll Do

Core Accounts Payable Responsibilities

Process vendor invoices accurately and efficiently
Review invoices for proper coding, approvals, and supporting documentation
Match invoices to purchase orders and receiving records
Enter invoices into the ERP/accounting system
Maintain vendor files and supporting documentation
Monitor AP inboxes and respond to internal and external inquiries
Research and resolve invoice discrepancies
Process employee expense reports
Assist with credit card reconciliations
Prepare weekly and monthly payment runs
Process ACH, wire, and check payments
Maintain organised electronic records and audit support documentation

Intermediate-Level Responsibilities

Reconcile vendor statements and investigate outstanding balances
Manage vendor onboarding and W-9/tax documentation
Monitor payment terms and identify opportunities for early-pay discounts
Track open liabilities and aging reports
Assist with month-end accruals and AP close activities
Support internal and external audit requests
Partner with Purchasing, Operations, and Finance teams to resolve exceptions
Identify duplicate payments, credits, and recovery opportunities
Prepare recurring AP reports and payment forecasts

Senior-Level / Advanced Responsibilities

Analyse AP workflows and recommend process improvements
Assist with automation initiatives and ERP enhancements
Develop and maintain internal controls related to disbursements
Create AP performance metrics and KPI reporting
Lead vendor escalations and complex reconciliation projects
Support cash flow planning and payment strategy discussions
Train and mentor junior AP staff
Participate in system implementations, acquisitions, and process integrations
Identify opportunities to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and strengthen controls
Serve as a subject matter expert for accounts payable operations

What We're Looking For

Required

Strong attention to detail and accuracy
Excellent organisational skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
Professional communication skills
Proficiency with Excel and business software
Problem-solving mindset

Preferred

Experience in Accounts Payable, Accounting, Finance, Bookkeeping, or a related role
Experience with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Dynamics, Sage, QuickBooks, or similar)
Understanding of invoice processing, reconciliations, and payment cycles
Experience supporting month-end close activities
Familiarity with 3-way matching and purchase order environments

What Success Looks Like

Within your first 90 days, you'll be:

Processing invoices accurately and on schedule
Building positive relationships with vendors and internal stakeholders
Reducing aged items and unresolved exceptions
Contributing ideas to improve AP efficiency
Helping ensure a smooth and timely month-end close

Why Join Us?

Stable, growing organisation
Collaborative finance team
Opportunity to expand into accounting and finance operations
Exposure to automation and process improvement initiatives
Clear path for advancement into Senior AP, Accounting, or Finance rolesSearch is an equal opportunities recruiter and we welcome applications from all suitably skilled or qualified applicants, regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/beliefs, sexual orientation or age