Accounts Payable Lead - Europe

About Us

Airswift is the leading workforce solutions provider to the STEM industries. For over 40 years Airswift has been transforming lives through the provision of international workforce solutions to STEM industries. Today, we are an integrated team of over 900 employees across 37 countries, supporting over 8,000 contractors globally.

We are a people business – we transform lives through the world of work. We care about wellbeing, community engagement and our planet – we plant a tree for every person placed in a job globally! We have a passion for growth, including investing in the development of our people.

We support professionals looking for jobs with exceptional firms in the technology, construction, and engineering sectors.

Role Description

The Accounts Payable Lead is a key role within the regional finance team, responsible for overseeing the full purchase ledger function and payroll administration for all Europe entities. This position ensures the accuracy, timeliness, and compliance of supplier payments, staff expenses, and payroll while maintaining robust financial controls.

In addition to day-to-day transactional duties, the role requires proactive oversight of processes, vendor relationships, and control frameworks to safeguard financial integrity and support operational efficiency. This position offers exposure across multiple finance functions, providing a strong platform for career progression within the finance team.

Principle Accountabilities:

Purchase Ledger & Accounts Payable

• Lead the purchase ledger function for all Europe entities, ensuring efficient and compliant processing.
• Set up new supplier accounts in line with internal controls and supplier onboarding requirements.
• Manage the Accounts Payable (Europe) inbox, ensuring supplier invoices are processed within 24 hours.
• Process staff expense claims and high-volume corporate credit card transactions.
• Generate bi-monthly supplier payment runs and ensure accurate allocation of payments to invoices.
• Perform supplier statement reconciliations to confirm Aged Creditors reflect true liabilities.
• Manage online supplier portals, scheduling payments to maintain uninterrupted service.
• Complete month-end AP close procedures by working day 3.
• Provide statements of account on request.

Payroll Administration

• Responsible for processing bank uploads for contractor payroll.
• Oversee quality control checks before and after payroll processing.
• Liaise with and resolve bank related queries relating to contractor payment promptly.
• Maintain accurate pay history records.
• Liaise with the Financial Controller and Treasury team to provide payroll-related information when required.

Cashbooks & Banking

• Reconcile and post virtual credit card transactions to bank statements.

Operational Finance Support & Controls

• Support with reconciliations and control checks (non-GL).
• Identify and elevate anomalies, risks, or process gaps.
• Assist with finance projects and process improvement initiatives.

Skills, Knowledge, and Experience:

• Minimum of Level 3 AAT Qualified is required.
• Knowledge of legal entities and correct accounts payable procedures.
• Team player.
• Strong work ethic, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability.
• Attention to detail to ensure delivery of accurate reports.
• Able to demonstrate the ability to work independently and use own initiative is desirable.

Person Specification

• Must be located in Manchester, United Kingdom and meet hybrid work requirements as defined by the President for EMEA.
• Good level of work experience in either Accounts Payable, Management Accounts, Payroll and/or Billing role (or similar).
• Ability to prioritise workload and work to strict deadlines. Must be able to manage own time efficiently.
• Previous experience working with either one or more accounting system, ideally Microsoft Dynamics365.
• Effective communicator who is articulate, professional and confident at all times, both with finance and non-finance colleagues.
• Confident in challenging existing processes and holding colleagues to standards set out by Senior Management.

What we can offer you!

• Attractive monthly base salary + competitive commission/performance bonus.
• Genuine career progression opportunities, either locally or globally!
• World-class training programmes and development opportunities.
• Virtual Onboarding Events exclusively for new hires.
• Team driven environment, supportive culture with a focus on work-life balance.
• Career breaks available after one year.
• Real time recognition through our employee reward platform.
• Mental Health First Aiders to signpost you to support when you need it.
• Yearly destination trips as part of our High Flyers program (Dubai, Buenos Aires, etc…)
• Charity days for various important causes such as Relay for Life and Earth Day.

Our Core Values:

• Growth – In life and business, one must grow to flourish and achieve high ambitions. Growth requires change, challenge, risk and sacrifice – we will always choose growth.
• Life – Above all else, we value life. The quality of life, both in and outside of work, profoundly influences our well-being and our impact on the world.
• Excellence – We deliver, holding ourselves accountable for results. Our customers see excellence in everything we do.
• Integrity – We are ethical, open, honest and authentic. People trust us to do the right thing for the right reason.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Diversity & Inclusion

At Airswift, we believe that diversity is critical to our success and makes us a great place to work. We are committed to building an equal opportunity workplace, the more inclusive we are – the better our work will be.

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