AP Staff Accountant

The EMEA Payment Operations team is part of the London-based EMEA Corporate Accounting team, which sits within the wider global Corporate Accounting department. This position is based in London and is responsible for supporting the day-to-day operation of the Accounts Payable function. The role ensures invoices, payments, supplier records, and employee expenses are processed accurately and efficiently while providing a high level of service to suppliers and business stakeholders.

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in Accounts Payable, Payment Operations, or a similar finance function preferred.
• Basic understanding of accounting principles and accounts payable processes.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including the use of formulas, data analysis, and reporting tools.
• Comfortable leveraging technology and AI-powered tools to improve efficiency and support problem solving.
• Prior experience with ERP, invoice management, or payment processing systems (e.g., PeopleSoft, Concur) preferred.

Competencies & Attributes

• Strong organisational and attention to detail skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong team player with a positive attitude and collaborative approach.
• Ability to work independently and use sound judgement when resolving issues.
• Proactive and willing to take ownership of tasks and queries.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a practical, hands-on approach.
• Ability to prioritise workload and manage multiple competing deadlines.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and adapting to changing priorities.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with suppliers, stakeholders, and colleagues across global teams.

Primary Responsibilities

• Review invoices submitted through the Global Payment Management (GPM) system, ensuring all required information has been accurately captured and appropriately approved.
• Validate invoice details, including supplier information, legal entity, cost centre allocation, payment instructions prior to payment processing.
• Verify supplier banking information against approved supplier records and escalate any inconsistencies in accordance with company controls and procedures.
• Ensure invoices have progressed through the appropriate approval workflow before completing the Accounts Payable review and releasing them for payment.
• Investigate and resolve invoice exceptions and processing errors in a timely manner.
• Support the entry and coding of invoices within the GPM system where required, particularly for complex transactions or where additional assistance is needed by business stakeholders.
• Work closely with requestors and approvers to ensure invoices are submitted accurately and sufficient supporting documentation is provided to facilitate timely processing.
• Review employee expense reports submitted through Concur, ensuring compliance with company policies and supporting documentation requirements.
• Verify the accuracy of expense coding, receipts, approvals, and policy adherence prior to approving reports for payment.
• Provide guidance and support to employees on Concur-related queries, expense policies, and reimbursement procedures.
• Review and process supplier setup and modification requests submitted through the Global Payment Management (GPM) system, ensuring all required supporting documentation is complete and accurate.
• Perform supplier callback procedures in accordance with company policies and internal controls to validate supplier information and banking details.
• Review and validate supplier banking changes, escalating exceptions or discrepancies where appropriate.
• Maintain strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders, resolving escalated issues relating to invoices, payments, and supplier records.
• Support payment processing activities and assist with payment runs as required.
• Allocate Direct Debit payments to the appropriate invoices and entities, ensuring transactions are accurately recorded and reconciled.
• Investigate and resolve unmatched or unidentified payments in a timely manner.

Education & Certificates

• Secondary education or equivalent required.
• Further education in accounting, finance, business, or a related field preferred.
• Accounting qualification or part qualification (e.g., AAT) beneficial but not required.