Accounts Payable Lead

Reporting to: Finance Manager, Financial & Rent Accounting

Responsible for: 2 Finance Officers

Location: London (Hybrid working available) two days in London.

Salary: circa £40,000

Contract Type: Permanent

Our client is a London-based housing association committed to providing high-quality homes and services to residents across its communities. The finance team plays a key role in supporting the organisation's operations by delivering accurate, efficient, and customer-focused financial services.

The Accounts Payable Lead is responsible for leading and developing the Accounts Payable team, ensuring the accurate, timely, and well-controlled processing of all supplier transactions whilst maintaining high standards of customer service and compliance.

The role combines operational leadership, people management, and technical expertise. The postholder will actively supervise the day-to-day activities of Finance Officers, monitor the quality and accuracy of work, identify and address errors, provide ongoing coaching and training, and drive high performance across the function.

The Accounts Payable Lead will support systems improvement, automation, and process optimisation, leveraging technology to enhance efficiency, controls, and service delivery.

Key Responsibilities

1. Purchase-to-Pay and Accounts Payable Operations

• Ensure all supplier invoices, credit notes, and payment requests are processed accurately and within agreed service levels.
• Oversee the end-to-end purchase-to-pay process, ensuring compliance with financial regulations, internal controls, and organisational policies.
• Manage supplier payment runs and ensure payments are made accurately and on time.
• Monitor aged creditor balances and proactively investigate and resolve outstanding items.
• Review reconciliations and control accounts, ensuring discrepancies are identified and resolved promptly.
• Ensure VAT is accounted for correctly and in accordance with HMRC requirements.
• Maintain strong relationships with suppliers, budget holders, and operational teams, ensuring queries are resolved professionally and efficiently.
• Provide expert advice and guidance on Accounts Payable procedures and controls.
• Lead on month-end and year-end financial close activities and audit requirements.
• Complete monthly balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring all reconciliations are completed, reviewed, and approved in accordance with financial controls.
• Maintain delegated authorities within financial systems in line with approved governance arrangements.
• Validate and approve refunds and payment transactions, ensuring accurate processing and system integration.
• Maintain oversight of corporate credit card governance, ensuring compliance with month-end processes and deadlines.
• Deliver ad hoc investigations and reporting as requested by senior management.

1. Team Leadership, Performance Management and Development

• Lead, manage, and develop 2 Finance Officers, setting clear objectives, expectations, and performance standards.
• Conduct regular one-to-one meetings, performance reviews, and development discussions.
• Review completed work to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance with procedures.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and high performance.
• Identify recurring errors, control weaknesses, and performance issues, implementing corrective actions where required.
• Develop training materials and deliver coaching, training, and technical guidance to enhance team capability.

1. Systems, Process Improvement and Change

• Act as the finance lead and subject matter expert for Accounts Payable systems and processes.
• Maintain system controls, support users, and ensure data integrity.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and identify opportunities for automation and efficiencies.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external system providers to improve system functionality and workflows.
• Gather and document business requirements for system enhancements.
• Coordinate and participate in User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and process testing activities.
• Support system configuration, implementation planning, user training, and post-implementation reviews.
• Develop and maintain process documentation and standard operating procedures.

Skills & Experience

• AAT qualified or holding an equivalent finance or accounting qualification.
• Previous experience leading or supervising an Accounts Payable function.
• Demonstrable line management experience, with the ability to lead, develop, and motivate team members.
• Strong understanding of purchase-to-pay processes, financial controls, and supplier management.
• Significant Accounts Payable experience within a medium to large organisation.
• Experience producing accounts payable reporting and supporting month-end and year-end activities.
• Demonstrable experience using finance systems and Microsoft Excel, with the confidence to act as a systems super-user.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy and compliance.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong organisational and time management abilities, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Experience carrying out User Acceptance Testing (UAT).
• Experience within the housing sector is highly desirable.
• Candidates from adjacent sectors such as not-for-profit, charity, public sector, healthcare, education, social care, or other regulated environments are also encouraged to apply.