Accounts Payable Team Lead

We are seeking a strong team player with excellent administrative and communication skills for the role of Team Leader of the Supplier Accounts Payable team at Robert Walters. The Supplier Accounts Team Leader is responsible for supervising the team that processes and sets up payments for various countries across Robert Walters. This role involves overseeing the entire accounts payable process, from invoice receipt and validation to accurate payment execution and record of payment on time

What are the responsibilities & accountabilities?

Leading the Supplier Accounts Team?

• Oversee the team’s daily tasks
• Prepare and maintain the reports and trackers used by the team
• Ensure best practice for running an efficient operation. Identify and highlight any inefficiencies in the current process to the Head of Accounts Payable.
• Post and pay confidential supplier invoices
• Involved in recruiting and onboarding of new team members
• Facilitate the onboarding of new business units, ensuring the process is implemented as intended and handed over to administrators after it runs
• Point of contact for internal/external auditors
• Handle query escalations for internal and external stakeholders
• Maintain organised records of all invoices and related documentation for easy retrieval and audit purposes

Payments management:

• Maintain and update payment records in the accounting system, ensuring all payments are documented accurately.
• Schedule and approve payment runs, ensuring timely execution and appropriate authorisations are obtained for payment processing.
• Loading payments onto the relevant banking portals and ensuring the appropriate authorisation is obtained for the release of funds.
• 3. Account Reconciliation:
• Oversee monthly reconciliation of all creditor balances and assist in month-end closing activities.

Process Improvements:

• Identify opportunities to improve accounts payable processes for efficiency.
• Ensure adherence to company policies, procedures, and regulatory standards in all accounts payable processes.

Vendor Relations and Support:

• Act as the escalation point of contact for vendors on payment issues, invoice queries, and discrepancies.
• Resolve payment issues and respond to inquiries in a professional and timely manner.
• Maintain positive working relationships with vendors and internal departments.

Reporting:

• Assist in the preparation of accounts payable reports and metrics as required.
• Generate regular and ad hoc reports for management and auditing purposes.
• Maintain organised and complete accounts payable records for auditing and reporting.

Who you are:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in Accounts Payable, at least 2 years of which is team leader position ideally from a Shared Service Environment
• Good communication skills.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Self-starter with a proactive approach.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
• Cooperative and team player.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.