Senior Accounts Payable (German Speaking)

The Senior Specialist Accounts Payable is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of all incoming invoices, vendor master data setup, reconciliation of relevant accounts, and preparation and execution of payment runs. The role ensures efficient, compliant, and high-quality AP operations across multiple international entities. In addition, the role oversees the work of the Accounts Payable team, liaises closely with the Procurement department in Germany, and drives continuous improvements to maintain a fast invoice processing turnaround and low backlog. A strong focus is placed on workflow management, escalation handling, and increasing automation through PO-based ordering and reduced three-way-match discrepancies. The position requires solid SAP expertise and a hands-on, detail-oriented working style.

Key Responsibilities

• Process incoming invoices accurately and on time across multiple group subsidiaries in Germany, UK, USA, UAE, Switzerland, Austria, France, and Belgium.
• Process invoices in foreign languages (German, English, French).
• Post invoices in SAP and allocate costs to the correct accounts, cost centers, and projects.
• Maintain and manage vendor master data, including setup of new vendors.
• Manage invoice and goods receipt discrepancies in coordination with suppliers and Procurement.
• Reconcile Goods Receipt / No Invoice (GRNI) accounts.
• Prepare payment proposals in SAP and upload payment files to the bank.
• Reconcile vendor accounts and manage open items.
• Manage prepayments and the related approval processes.
• Process employee expense reports and manage the expense tool N2F.
• Ensure correct tax and VAT treatment of invoices.
• Oversee and manage the AP team, including training on accounting principles, SAP usage, and VAT topics.
• Maintain the AP posting handbook jointly with General Ledger Accounting.
• Monitor invoice workflows, manage and escape approval bottlenecks, and ensure low backlog levels.
• Drive process improvements, including increased PO-based ordering and reduced three-way-match discrepancies, as well as supporting automation initiatives (e.g. SAP enhancements and transition to Tangro).
• Quickly understand end-to-end business processes, involve relevant stakeholders, and actively drive operational improvements.

Required Education, Qualifications, and Experience

• Vocational training as an accounting specialist or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Professional certification beneficial (Bilanzbuchhalter (Germany), ACCA (UK), CPA (US)).
• Minimum 5 years of experience in Accounts Payable or a related accounting function within an international environment.
• SAP R/3 or SAP S/4HANA experience required; experience with invoice automation tools (e.g. Tangro) is an advantage.
• Strong understanding of AP processes, reconciliations, and VAT handling.
• Good working knowledge of MS Office (Outlook, Excel, Word).
• Languages: English (full fluency), German (full fluency).
• Reliable, structured, and efficient working style.
• Strong hands-on mentality and ability to lead by example.

Job Type: Permanent

Pay: £35,000.00-£40,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person