Accounts Receivable Manager in Watford

Are you an experienced AP & AR Manager or Transactional Finance Manager, or Finance Operations Manager looking for somewhere you can genuinely build a long-term career? We are recruiting for a fast-growing, family-owned international fashion business representing a portfolio of well-known global brands. This is a business where people stay. There are members of the finance team who have built careers with the company over many years - in some cases 10, 15, 20 years and longer. The business continues to grow, and with that growth comes genuine opportunity for people who want to develop, take on greater responsibility and progress.

The culture is busy, collaborative and down-to-earth. Senior management is approachable, supportive of development and keen to give good people the opportunity to grow.

The role involves taking responsibility for both Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable, leading and developing an established transactional finance team. You will oversee:

• Accounts Receivable / Credit Control - collections, customer balances, aged debt, debit notes, cash allocation and account reconciliations
• Accounts Payable / Purchase Ledger - invoice processing, approvals, supplier payments, statement reconciliations and AP ageing
• Cash Flow & Working Capital - monitoring incoming and outgoing payments and supporting cash forecasting
• Month-End & Financial Controls - AP/AR and GL reconciliations, close activities, audit support and internal controls
• Team Leadership - managing, coaching and developing a team of at least five AP and AR professionals
• Process Improvement - identifying opportunities for automation, standardisation and more efficient finance processes
• Stakeholder Management - working closely with customers, suppliers, Sales, Customer Service and the wider finance team

What we are looking for:

• Around 5-8+ years' progressive accounting / transactional finance experience
• Strong hands-on experience across both Accounts Payable AND Accounts Receivable
• Experience managing and developing a finance, AP, AR, credit control or transactional finance team
• Strong knowledge of credit control, collections, aged debt, cash allocation and customer reconciliations
• Good understanding of the full Accounts Payable cycle, including invoice processing, approvals, payments and supplier reconciliations
• Experience supporting cash flow, working capital and month-end close
• Experience using an ERP/accounting system such as Sage 200, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, NetSuite or similar
• A practical, organised and hands-on approach with the ability to manage a busy workload

Why consider it? This could particularly suit someone who wants more than their next job. It is an opportunity to join a successful and rapidly growing fashion and branded consumer business, with an established finance team and a reputation for retaining good people. The environment is fast-paced and busy, but also friendly, collaborative and enjoyable. The management style is down-to-earth and approachable, and people who demonstrate ability and ambition are encouraged to develop. With continued business growth, there should be excellent scope for long-term career development and progression.

Salary: Excellent
Location: Watford - office based
Start: ASAP