Head of Accounts Receivable & Payable
Location: Harlow
Salary: Competitive + Benefits
I’m currently partnering with a growing and ambitious organisation to recruit a Head of Accounts Receivable & Payable — a key leadership position within their finance function.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced transactional finance professional to lead and develop Accounts Receivable, Credit Control, and Accounts Payable teams while driving cash flow optimisation, process improvements, and operational excellence across the business.
My client is looking for a hands-on leader with a strong background in managing transactional finance functions, improving working capital performance, and implementing robust financial controls.
The Opportunity
Reporting into senior finance leadership, you will take ownership of the Group’s end-to-end transactional finance operations, ensuring the efficient management of:
* Sales Ledger & Billing
* Credit Control & Collections
* Purchase Ledger & Supplier Payments
* Cash Flow & Working Capital Performance
You’ll play a critical role in improving efficiencies, enhancing reporting, reducing aged debt, and building a high-performing finance operations team.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Management
* Lead, mentor, and develop Billing, Credit Control, and Accounts Payable teams
* Set clear objectives, KPIs, and development plans
* Drive engagement, accountability, and productivity across the function
Accounts Receivable & Credit Control
* Oversee invoicing, cash allocation, reconciliations, and collections processes
* Drive reduction in aged debt and improve debtor performance
* Monitor key metrics including DSO, overdue debt, collections performance, and cash forecasting
* Manage customer credit risk, credit limits, payment terms, and bad debt exposure
* Implement process improvements to accelerate invoice-to-cash cycles
Accounts Payable & Supplier Management
* Oversee supplier invoice processing, approvals, reconciliations, and payment execution
* Ensure supplier payments are made accurately and on time
* Optimise payment cycles to support working capital objectives while maintaining strong supplier relationships
Controls, Reporting & Continuous Improvement
* Maintain robust internal controls across transactional finance
* Support audit requirements and compliance activities
* Drive automation, standardisation, and process improvement initiatives
* Deliver insightful reporting and analysis to senior stakeholders
* Improve workflow efficiencies and data quality across the finance function
About You
My client is looking for someone who can bring both operational expertise and strong leadership capability, including:
* Proven experience leading Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Credit Control, or Transactional Finance teams
* Strong understanding of sales ledger, purchase ledger, collections, credit risk, and cash management
* Demonstrated success in improving processes, controls, and working capital performance
* Strong track record in aged debt reduction and collections improvement
* Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and analytical skills
* Strong understanding of financial controls and audit requirements
* A proactive, solutions-focused approach with the ability to drive change
Why Apply?
* Opportunity to lead a critical finance function within a growing business
* High-impact role with visibility across the organisation
* Supportive and collaborative environment
* Genuine opportunity to drive transformation and continuous improvement
* Competitive salary and benefits package
For more information or to discuss the opportunity in confidence, please get in touch.