Accounts Payable Manager (Maternity Leave) in Reading

Job Description

We are looking for an organised, detail‑focused Accounts Payable Specialist to take full ownership of the Accounts Payable (AP) function. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate invoice processing, timely payments to suppliers, excellent service delivery, and reliable financial data within our purchase ledger. You will play a vital part in maintaining strong supplier relationships and supporting the Finance team during month‑end and year‑end close.

Job Requirements

• A minimum of 6 years Accounts Payable experience
• A focus on providing great customer service and communication to internal & external stakeholders
• A desire to take ownership of tasks and see them through to completion
• Ability to prioritise your workload and be organised
• A deadline driven mentality
• Attention to detail

Systems Experience (desired but not essential)

• Xero
• ApprovalMax
• Excel
• Dext expense system

Personal Attributes

• Proactive, solution‑oriented, and able to identify improvements.
• Reliable and trustworthy in handling sensitive financial information.
• Comfortable collaborating across teams and departments.
• Positive attitude with a commitment to delivering high‑quality work.

Job Responsibilities

Sole ownership of the Accounts Payable function including the following day to day activities:

• Reviewing invoices to ensure they are accurate and legally compliant.
• Loading invoices on ApprovalMax.
• Ensuring invoices are approved in a timely manner by department heads via the ApprovalMax system.
• Posting invoices & expenses into Xero.
• Preparing payment runs for sign off by the Head of Finance.
• Loading payment runs on the bank and getting them approved by Directors.
• Posting and allocating payments in Xero.
• Sending remittance advice to suppliers in a timely manner.
• Fielding supplier queries via phone and email, providing a high level of customer service.
• Reconciling supplier accounts back to statements and actioning discrepancies.
• Maintaining a clean and tidy purchase ledger.
• Creating new supplier accounts and maintaining the integrity of our supplier master data.
• Management of the shared accounts helpdesk ensuring we meet our 48-hour response time SLA.
• It is expected from time to time that you will be required to support in the completion of AR tasks, the team inbox and any ad hoc requests.

Dext:

• Checking and approving employee expenses and credit card claims in Dext.
• Processing expense and credit card claims in Xero once approved in Dext.
• Assisting with Dext queries from employees.

Month-End:

• Posting and reconciliation of prepayments and accruals including credit card accruals.
• Maintaining shared Accruals schedule with comments.
• Monthly AP analysis of costs against prior month and budget.