Transactional Accounts Manager in Kidlington

Requirements and Description

Monday to Friday 09:00-17:30, 37.5 hours per week

Office based: Oxford Airport, Kidlington

£45,000 per annum

Role Summary

The Transactional Accounts Manager is responsible for overseeing the end-to-end Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable functions within a fast‑paced aviation services business. The role includes managing an outsourced Accounts Payable provider, direct management of Accounts Receivable Executives, and ownership of bank reconciliations, VAT returns, and corporate credit cards. The postholder will ensure strong transactional controls, effective cashflow management, and accurate financial reporting.

Key Responsibilities

• Accounts Payable (AP) – Outsourced Team Management
  • Act as the primary point of contact for the outsourced Accounts Payable provider.
  • Manage SLAs, KPIs and service delivery to ensure timely and accurate invoice processing.
  • Oversee supplier statement reconciliations and resolution of escalated queries.
  • Ensure compliance with company policies, purchase order controls, and approval matrices.
  • Review and approve payment runs, ensuring accuracy and adherence to agreed terms.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and operational stakeholders.
  • Drive continuous improvement and efficiency across the outsourced AP model.
• Accounts Receivable (AR) & Team Management
  • Lead and manage the Accounts Receivable function, including direct line management of AR Executives.
  • Oversee the full AR cycle including invoicing, credit control, dispute resolution, and cash allocation.
  • Ensure timely and accurate invoicing in line with customer contracts and service level agreements.
  • Actively manage aged debt, setting clear priorities and driving timely cash collection.
  • Monitor customer credit limits and escalate credit risk issues where appropriate.
  • Coach, develop, and performance‑manage AR Executives to maintain high standards and service levels.
  • Provide regular AR reporting and cashflow insights to senior finance and operational teams.
• Bank Reconciliations & Cash Controls
  • Own the preparation and review of all bank reconciliations on a timely basis.
  • Ensure reconciling items are investigated, resolved, and cleared promptly.
  • Maintain strong cash and banking controls, liaising with senior finance or treasury as required.
  • Support cashflow forecasting with accurate and up‑to‑date banking data.
• Credit Cards & Expense Controls
  • Manage the company’s corporate credit card programme, including card issuance, limits, and controls.
  • Ensure timely and accurate reconciliation of credit card transactions.
  • Review and challenge non‑compliant or incomplete expense submissions.
  • Ensure appropriate documentation, accurate coding, and adherence to expense policies.
  • Act as the key liaison with credit card providers and resolve card‑related issues.
• VAT & Tax Compliance
  • Prepare, review, and submit UK VAT returns accurately and on time.
  • Ensure VAT is correctly accounted for across AP, AR, credit cards, and cash transactions.
  • Liaise with HMRC, external advisors, and auditors on VAT‑related matters where required.
  • Maintain robust documentation and controls to support VAT audits and compliance.
• Management, Controls & Reporting
  • Lead, coach, and develop the in‑house transactional finance team.
  • Ensure robust month‑end cut‑off, balance sheet reconciliations, and transactional accuracy across AP, AR, VAT, bank, and credit card balances.
  • Support the month‑end close by ensuring all transactional data is complete and accurate.
  • Maintain and enhance internal controls to support audit, regulatory, and compliance requirements.
  • Work closely with operational teams, payroll, and senior finance stakeholders.
  • Support finance system implementations, migrations, and process standardisation initiatives.

Key Skills & Experience

• Proven experience managing Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, bank reconciliations, credit cards, and VAT returns.
• Demonstrable experience managing AR teams and outsourced AP service providers.
• Strong understanding of transactional finance controls and balance sheet integrity.
• Experience in a high‑volume, operational environment (aviation, logistics, or services preferred).
• Strong people management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Excellent attention to detail with the ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Confident user of ERP systems and Excel.

Qualifications

• AAT qualified or part‑qualified accountant (desirable).

Personal Attributes

• Process‑driven with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Commercially aware with a strong focus on cashflow and compliance.
• Proactive, resilient, and delivery‑focused.
• Effective at managing both internal teams and external service providers.

Unifi is committed to equal opportunity employment regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability or veteran status.