Accounts Payable Manager in Bicester

Valda Energy is a dynamic and rapidly growing energy supplier based in Bicester, committed to driving business success through smart, reliable energy solutions. Established in 2019 by industry experts, we bring together a diverse combination of talent to foster continuous sustainable growth. We challenge the existing marketplace with our leading, tech‑driven, and customer‑focused approach. Our passion for innovation and dedication to exceptional service sets us apart. At Valda Energy, we live by our core values: communicate, collaborate, own it, embrace change, and put the customer first. We believe that our people are our greatest asset, and we are dedicated to fostering a supportive and evolving culture.

Perks that Power Your Journey:

• Annual salary between £40k and £50k (dependent on experience)
• Company annual bonus scheme
• 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, with a length of service award increasing up to 30 days, and an extra day off during your birthday month
• Private medical insurance with Vitality Health
• Access to The Grid, our employee engagement and rewards platform, offering exclusive discounts, wellbeing resources, recognition tools, and more
• Life insurance policy, providing coverage at four times your salary
• Employee assistance programme offering confidential support and guidance
• Complimentary snacks, drinks, and lunch options in our office
• Salary sacrifice pension scheme with a matching contribution of up to 5%
• In‑house learning and development team devoted to nurturing talent and unlocking potential
• Refer a friend scheme (up to £500), monthly team events, annual company events, and recognition awards

How You Will Energise Our Team:

We are seeking an experienced Accounts Payable Manager to join the Financial Controls team. Reporting to the Financial Controller, the Accounts Payable Manager will take ownership of the transactional finance function, manage two finance assistants, and ensure that supplier processes, payment controls, reconciliations and AP routines are performed accurately, efficiently and in line with internal control requirements. This is a key role within the Finance team. The successful candidate will bring strong Accounts Payable experience, process ownership, control awareness and team management capability. The role is suited to someone who has previously owned an AP function or worked at an experienced AP supervisory/managerial level. This role will strengthen the AP control environment, reduce avoidable escalations, improve supplier governance and ensure the transactional finance team operates with clear ownership, discipline and accountability.

Day‑to‑day responsibilities will include:

• Lead and manage the transactional finance team, providing day‑to‑day support, coaching and performance management
• Own the end‑to‑end Accounts Payable process, ensuring supplier invoices are processed, approved and paid accurately and on time
• Manage the AP inbox and supplier relationships, resolving queries, disputes and aged creditor balances promptly
• Oversee supplier onboarding, bank detail amendments and statement reconciliations with robust controls and fraud prevention measures
• Manage payment runs, ensuring appropriate approvals, accurate payment files and effective duplicate payment prevention controls
• Support month‑end close activities, including supplier reconciliations, accruals, creditor reporting and audit requests
• Drive continuous improvement across Accounts Payable by strengthening processes, reducing manual workarounds and improving the use of finance systems
• Partner with the Financial Controller to enhance Accounts Payable policies, supplier governance and wider transactional finance processes, while supporting ongoing development of the finance function

The Spark We’re Looking For:

• 7+ years’ experience in Accounts Payable, with previous experience in an AP Manager, AP Supervisor or senior transactional finance role, and a strong understanding of supplier ledgers, payment runs, reconciliations and AP controls
• A relevant finance qualification or working towards one (e.g. AAT, ACCA, CIMA), with a commitment to continued professional development
• Experience managing or supervising a small team, with the ability to organise workloads, support development and provide effective day‑to‑day guidance
• Strong numerical and analytical skills, with excellent attention to detail and a control‑focused mindset to ensure accuracy, compliance and effective financial governance
• Confident Excel user with experience working across multiple finance systems, identifying process improvements, reducing manual workarounds and supporting AP automation
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to resolve escalations, challenge ineffective processes and represent Finance professionally
• Highly organised and methodical, with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and coordinate workloads across a team
• Experience working in a fast‑paced, high‑growth SME environment, with exposure to documenting processes, strengthening controls and improving finance operations

We encourage you to apply even if you aren’t confident that you meet all of the requirements – you may be just who we’re looking for. We are extremely proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from all backgrounds. To make your recruitment experience with us accessible to you, please let us know if you have any individual requirements. We are here to support you, so please reach out to our team at joinus@valdaenergy.com.