At a Glance
- Tasks: Support daily operations in Accounts Payable, manage invoices, and lead a team.
- Company: GSF Car Parts is a top UK automotive parts distributor with over 194 branches.
- Benefits: Enjoy a collaborative culture, career growth opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Join a reputable company making an impact in the automotive industry while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in Accounts Payable and strong analytical skills are essential.
- Other info: Opportunity to drive process improvements and work with a diverse team.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are seeking a proactive and experienced Deputy Accounts Payable professional to support the Head of Accounts Payable in managing the day-to-day operations of our Accounts Payable function. This role is pivotal in ensuring accurate invoice processing, maintaining supplier master data, and delivering efficient and timely payments across our systems (Single System and Midpoint). You will also be responsible for supervising a team, streamlining processes, and ensuring compliance with company policies and financial procedures.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the Head of Accounts Payable in overseeing daily operations across invoice processing, supplier maintenance, and payment runs.
- Lead and supervise a team within the AP sub-functions, ensuring effective workload distribution and performance management.
- Manage end-to-end invoice processing for stock and non-stock purchases in multiple currencies across Single System and Midpoint platforms.
- Oversee supplier onboarding, set-up, and ongoing maintenance of supplier master data.
- Ensure timely and accurate execution of all payment types, including weekly catch-up runs, month-end payments, intercompany settlements, expenses, rent, rates, and faster payments.
- Monitor adherence to month-end reporting deadlines and ensure timely closure of the purchase ledger, including reconciliation and reporting.
- Prepare and analyse key reports such as aged creditor listings, payment management summaries, and other finance reports to support period-end close.
- Investigate and resolve AP-related queries in collaboration with internal departments and external stakeholders.
- Foster strong relationships with suppliers, resolving invoicing issues promptly and professionally.
- Collaborate closely with other finance and cross-functional teams to enhance interdepartmental processes and communication.
- Take a proactive approach to organising meetings with internal and external stakeholders, including agenda setting and follow-ups.
- Continuously review, document, and update process notes to ensure comprehensive knowledge sharing and operational coverage during absences or leave.
- Analyse creditor ageing reports monthly to identify and address overdue payments, debit balances, and any cash flow concerns.
- Maintain compliance with internal controls, financial policies, and external regulatory requirements.
- Identify opportunities for process improvement, automation, and control enhancements across AP operations.
- Support the review of payment batches and ensure accurate submission via BACS in line with supplier terms or company policy.
- Undertake any ad hoc duties as required by the Head of Accounts Payable or Finance Management Team to support departmental goals.
Team & Stakeholder Engagement
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of AP professionals, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
- Serve as a key point of contact for suppliers, procurement, inventory management, and other internal teams to ensure alignment and seamless processing.
Essential Skills and Experience
- Proven experience in an Accounts Payable supervisory or deputy role within a complex organisation.
- Strong working knowledge of AP systems and processes, including supplier management and payment processing.
- Experience with invoice processing systems (ideally across multiple platforms like Single System and Midpoint).
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across teams and with external suppliers.
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel and finance systems, with strong analytical and reporting skills.
- Demonstrated ability to identify process improvements and lead change initiatives.
Desirable
- Experience within a multi-site or retail environment.
- Familiarity with BACS payment processes and financial compliance standards.
- Exposure to process automation or digital transformation in finance operations.
About Us
GSF Car Parts is one of the UK’s leading automotive parts distributors, supplying thousands of independent garages throughout the UK and Ireland with parts, tools, garage equipment and specialist training. The group has over 194 branches nationwide and a turnover exceeding £500 million. Built on the heritage and success of a dozen local brand identities acquired over several years, we have traded as one brand since November 2021. Our branch network is bolstered by centralised support and expertise from specialist departments in key areas such as procurement and supply chain, marketing and national accounts. The business also benefits from integrated IT systems, which include our industry leading catalogue system, Allicat, and access to the Group's national garage programme, Servicesure.
Deputy Accounts Payable employer: GSF Car Parts
Contact Detail:
GSF Car Parts Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Accounts Payable
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific AP systems mentioned in the job description, like Single System and Midpoint. Understanding these platforms will give you a significant edge during interviews, as you'll be able to discuss your experience and how you can contribute to our operations.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed teams in previous roles. We value collaboration and high-performance culture, so showcasing your ability to mentor and develop others will resonate well with us.
✨Tip Number 3
Research common challenges in accounts payable processes and think about how you would address them. Being proactive in identifying potential issues and suggesting improvements will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and initiative, which are key for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with professionals in the finance and accounts payable field. Engaging with others in the industry can provide insights into best practices and may even lead to referrals, increasing your chances of landing an interview with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Accounts Payable
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in Accounts Payable, especially any supervisory roles. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate that you meet the essential skills and experience required.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your proactive approach and experience in managing AP functions. Mention specific examples of how you've led teams or improved processes in previous roles to align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasise your proficiency in AP systems, invoice processing, and financial compliance. Be sure to mention your analytical skills and experience with tools like Microsoft Excel, as these are crucial for the role.
Showcase Team Leadership: Since the role involves leading a team, include examples of your leadership style and how you've successfully managed team performance in past positions. This will help demonstrate your capability to foster a high-performance culture.
How to prepare for a job interview at GSF Car Parts
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Deputy Accounts Payable professional, you'll need to demonstrate your strong analytical skills. Be prepared to discuss your experience with invoice processing systems and how you've managed financial reports in the past. Brush up on key metrics like aged creditor listings and payment management summaries.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
Since this role involves supervising a team, it's crucial to highlight your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've mentored team members, managed workloads, and fostered a collaborative environment. This will show that you're not just a numbers person but also a people person.
✨Understand Compliance and Controls
Familiarise yourself with internal controls and financial compliance standards relevant to accounts payable. Be ready to discuss how you've ensured adherence to these policies in previous roles, as this is vital for maintaining the integrity of the financial processes.
✨Prepare for Process Improvement Discussions
The company values innovation and efficiency, so think about instances where you've identified opportunities for process improvements or automation. Be prepared to share your ideas on how you could enhance the AP operations at GSF Car Parts, demonstrating your proactive approach.