Senior Accounts Payable Specialist in Leeds

We are recruiting a Senior Accounts Payable Specialist to join our team in Leeds. The successful candidate will be leading and managing the sub-contractor accounts payable process, ensuring accurate and timely weekly BACS payments, full compliance with CIS regulations, and effective resolution of sub-contractor queries.

You will be the subject matter expert and key liaison between Finance and operational teams, as well being a key resource for resolving escalated queries, mentoring junior staff, and driving process improvements across the AP function.

Some of the key deliverables for this role will include:

• Oversee the end-to-end processing of sub-contractor invoices, ensuring correct coding, CIS deductions, and VAT treatment.
• Act as the primary point of contact for sub-contractor payment queries and escalations.
• Maintain accurate records of verification status, retention, and payment terms.
• Ensure timely and compliant onboarding of new sub-contractors.
• Prepare and validate weekly BACS payment runs across all Companies, ensuring accuracy and adherence to deadlines.
• Prepare and validate all CHAPS, TT manual payments, including bank rec items.
• Maintain vendor records ensuring accuracy of supplier Masterfile, including onboarding, updates, and regular audits to ensure data integrity and compliance.
• Liaise with Head of Finance Shared Service to ensure payment files are approved and transmitted correctly.
• Communicate payment schedules and remittance advice to suppliers/sub-contractors.
• Ensure full compliance with HMRC CIS regulations, VAT, and other relevant financial regulations, including verification, deduction accuracy, and reporting.
• Monitor and resolve system issues related to CIS status and verification errors.
• Support internal and external audits by providing documentation and responding to queries.
• Collaborate with Commercial, Procurement, Finance, and operational teams to resolve disputes and improve processes.
• Build strong relationships with suppliers to enhance trust and service delivery.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Act as a point of escalation for supplier queries and internal issues.
• Mentor and support AP team members, providing training and guidance.
• Involvement with system testing and finance-related projects.
• Ensure adherence to compliance and control procedures across AP processes.
• Lead on team engagement, volunteering, and social events for the team.
• Support system upgrades and automation initiatives related to sub-contractor processing.

What we’re looking for:

• Previous experience in Accounts Payable, with a focus on sub-contractor management and CIS compliance.
• Proven in-depth knowledge of BACS payment processes and financial systems (e.g. Access Dimensions, Coins).
• Excellent attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.

As a business, we’re on a journey to build on our culture where everyone is included, treated fairly and with respect. This starts with recruitment and how we bring people into the organisation. We’ll do our best to outline the recruitment process to you ahead of time with plenty of notice. If you require any accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, please let us know and we will work with you to ensure your needs are met.

We are one of the leading independent engineering and services businesses in the UK. Founded in 1921, with a turnover of £500m and 3000 employees, we are proud of our history of developing great people through our investment in training. Working across a variety of sectors within the building and infrastructure industry, our innovative, responsible and forward-thinking approach allows us to work on fantastic ground-breaking projects, providing solutions using the latest tools and technologies. Progression is something we value, and we will make sure that when you join us you have a clearly defined development path, supported by regular reviews, training and ongoing support to enable you to be the best you can be.