AP & AR Manager (12-Month Fixed-Term Contract - Maternity Cover)

AP & AR Manager (12-Month Fixed-Term Contract - Maternity Cover)

Temporary 50000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Improbable Worlds Limited

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage finance operations, including Accounts Payable and Receivable, while driving process improvements.
  • Company: Join a dynamic team at Improbable, known for innovation and collaboration.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Work in a fast-paced environment with a focus on continuous improvement.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by streamlining finance processes and adopting new technologies.
  • Qualifications: 3+ years in finance operations, strong Excel skills, and a proactive mindset.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.

We are seeking an experienced and highly organised Finance Operations Manager to provide maternity cover within our Finance team. This role will focus on ensuring the smooth running of Improbable's core finance operations, including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, payment runs, bank reconciliations, month end activities, and finance systems administration. The successful candidate will work closely with stakeholders across Finance, People, Legal, and Operations.

Alongside day to day ownership, we are looking for someone who can bring structure, curiosity, and a continuous improvement mindset; identifying opportunities to streamline manual processes, automate recurring tasks where possible, and play a key part in embedding new tools such as ZIP across our finance workflows.

The Opportunity
  • Accounts Payable: Oversee the Accounts Payable process, ensuring invoices are processed accurately and suppliers are paid on time. Approve supplier payment runs in line with internal approval policies. Manage appropriate liquidity across the different entity bank accounts ahead of each payment run, coordinating with the FC and VP of Finance to ensure supplier payments, intercompany settlements, and other operational payment obligations can be made on time. Act as an escalation point for payment queries and build effective relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders. Actively support the onboarding and adoption of ZIP, the company's new procure to pay automation platform, working with Procurement and Finance stakeholders on process design, testing, user adoption, and post go live optimisation to drive further efficiency improvements and embed the system across AP workflows.
  • Accounts Receivable: Oversee the Accounts Receivable process, ensuring customer billing is accurate, timely and appropriately documented. Monitor aged debtors balances, support collections activity, and act as an escalation point for overdue accounts. Identify opportunities to simplify billing, reconciliation, and intercompany settlement processes. Reconcile intercompany accounts and support the regular settlement of open balances.
  • Month End/Year End Close Procedures: Review and sign off month end close activities across AP, AR and bank reconciliations, and related balance sheet accounts, working with the team to identify bottlenecks and improve the close quality and timelines. Prepare and review balance sheet reconciliations for AP and AR related accounts, investigate and resolve reconciling items in a timely manner. Ensure financial records remain complete, accurate, and audit ready.
  • Systems and Process Improvement: Act as a key administrator and super user for finance systems and associated workflows, including NetSuite, Expensify, Spendesk and ZIP. Create, improve and maintain process documentation and standard operating procedures. Identify manual, repetitive, or control sensitive processes that could be streamlined or automated. Work with Finance and cross functional stakeholders to implement practical improvements that reduce errors, improve visibility, and save time. Drive continuous improvement initiatives across finance operations using existing tools and AI enabled workflows to improve data quality, reporting, reconciliations and documentation.
Why you're made for this:

You have 3+ years' experience managing AP and AR in a fast paced, multi entity environment. You are comfortable managing a small team of 2 and overseeing transactional data across multiple currencies, entities, and bank accounts (experience with cryptocurrency payments is a bonus but not required). You have a strong understanding of accounting principles, enabling you to assess the accounting impact of finance operations activities across Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and cash related transactions. Bonus points if you're ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified, part qualified, or currently studying towards a professional qualification. You are an advanced Excel or Google Sheets user and have experience working with finance systems; NetSuite experience is a plus. You have a track record of improving finance operations processes, whether through better documentation, stronger controls, automation, or smarter use of systems; not just maintaining them. You are comfortable using AI and automation tools to reduce manual work, interrogate data, draft documentation, or improve repeatable workflows. You can operate in ambiguity, manage shifting priorities, and bring structure and clarity to incomplete information. You communicate clearly, manage stakeholders well, and know when to escalade. You are highly organised, ownership driven, and comfortable keeping critical processes running without close supervision. You are curious, collaborative, and always looking for a better way to do things.

AP & AR Manager (12-Month Fixed-Term Contract - Maternity Cover) employer: Improbable Worlds Limited

Improbable is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture, perfect for those looking to make a meaningful impact in finance operations. With a strong emphasis on continuous improvement and employee growth, we offer opportunities to streamline processes and adopt cutting-edge tools like ZIP, all while working in a collaborative environment with cross-functional teams. Located in a vibrant area, our team enjoys a supportive atmosphere that values curiosity and initiative, making it an ideal place for professionals eager to advance their careers.

Improbable Worlds Limited

Contact Details:

Improbable Worlds Limited Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land AP & AR Manager (12-Month Fixed-Term Contract - Maternity Cover)

Join Financial Networking Events

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We think you need these skills to ace AP & AR Manager (12-Month Fixed-Term Contract - Maternity Cover)

Accounts Payable Management
Accounts Receivable Management
Payment Processing
Bank Reconciliation
Month End Close Procedures
Financial Systems Administration
Process Improvement

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!

Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at Improbable Worlds Limited will be keen to see in your application.

Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at Improbable Worlds Limited. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!

Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give Improbable Worlds Limited confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.

How to prepare for a job interview at Improbable Worlds Limited

Brush Up on Financial Regulations

Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with Improbable Worlds Limited.

Showcase Your Analytical Skills

Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.

Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability

For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure Improbable Worlds Limited that you’re a reliable team player.

Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn

In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.