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 roles
Search 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.
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