Finance Manager – Accounts Payable

About the Role

Ivy Rock Partners is pleased to be working with a fantastic University in recruiting a motivated and experienced Finance Manager to lead their Accounts Payable (AP) team. You will be responsible for ensuring the efficient and accurate processing of financial transactions, including supplier invoices, expense claims, and advances. In this role, you will oversee the timely reconciliation of key control accounts and ensure compliance with financial policies and procedures. As part of the role, you will collaborate with colleagues across the finance team and beyond to improve systems and processes, helping to drive a culture of continuous improvement. This hands-on position also involves managing staff, setting clear team objectives, and providing essential cover for key finance roles.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Accounts Payable team, ensuring deadlines are met and processes run smoothly.
• Oversee the processing of supplier invoices, GPC/Caxton cards, and expense claims, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Ensure monthly reconciliations of key control accounts are completed.
• Collaborate with the Finance Systems Team to enhance system functionality and data quality.
• Manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including suppliers and students.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and lead their implementation.
• Maintain and update written procedures, ensuring compliance with financial controls.
• Assist with financial transaction processing during peak workload periods.
• Provide essential cover for key finance roles, including Accounts Receivable and Treasury.

Essential Requirements

• Proven experience in managing an Accounts Payable function.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to set clear objectives and monitor performance.
• Excellent communication skills, able to explain complex financial processes to non-finance colleagues.
• Experience implementing systems and process improvements. · Strong understanding of financial controls and compliance requirements. · Ability to work independently and proactively solve problems.
• Part-qualified or fully qualified accountant with a recognized CCAB body.
• Proficiency in MS Office, particularly Excel and Word.

Desirable

• Experience with Unit4 ERP or similar finance systems.
• Educated to degree level.
• Experience with external regulatory returns and audit processes.

Why Join Us?

You will be joining a dynamic finance team where you can take the lead on process improvements, mentor a talented team, and make a meaningful impact on the efficiency of the Accounts Payable function. They offer a collaborative and supportive environment with opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits include:

• Around 42 days of a year
• USS pension scheme
• Apple products discount
• Training scheme that includes mentoring and coaching, in-house training programmes covering topics such as IT, management development, presentation and communication skills, a supportive environment in which to expand your skills on the job
• On-site gym
• Eligibility for COSTCO membership
• Free financial advice service
• NUS extra card
• Season ticket loan for rail tickets
• And many others

Please get in touch with Megan Hunter for a confidential conversation about the role.