Accounts Payable Manager

Role Summary
An Accounts Payable (AP) Manager plays a critical role in the financial operations of an organization. The position involves overseeing the entire accounts payable process, ensuring that all invoices and bills are paid on time and that the company's financial obligations are managed efficiently.

Key Role Specific Requirements

Manage the Accounts Payable Process:

• Ownership of the entire AP cycle, from invoice receipt to making payments.
• Ownership of AP month end closing activities, ensuring that all AP transactions are properly recorded, accruals are accounted for, and reconciliations are completed in a timely manner.
• Ensure invoices are processed accurately and in a timely manner.
• Monitor outstanding payables and manage cash flow accordingly.

Manage the Employees Expense Process:

• Ownership of the approval process for employee expenses.
• Reconciliation of cash and corporate card submissions and payments.
• Team Leadership and Development:
• Lead, mentor, and manage three direct reports.
• Establish clear objectives and KPIs for the AP team.
• Train new team members and provide ongoing support to existing staff.

Vendor Relationship Management:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors.
• Address any discrepancies or issues with invoices, payments, or vendor contracts.
• System and Process Improvement:
• Lead AP transformation processes to focus on automation, standardisation and scalability.
• Reduce manual processing through ERP optimization.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, financial policies, and external regulations including the preparation of process notes and documentation.

Reporting and Analysis:

• Prepare reports on AP activity, cash flow, and expenditure trends for senior management.
• Analyse payables data to identify areas of cost savings and efficiency.
• Monitor and report key metrics such as days payable outstanding (DPO).
• Budgeting and Forecasting:
• Partner with finance, procurement and operational stakeholders to contribute to budgeting processes and periodic forecasting activities
• Assist in cash flow forecasting based on upcoming payment obligations.
• Ensure that all payments are aligned with the company's budgetary controls.

Compliance and Risk Management:

• Own and maintain the Accounts Payable control framework, ensuring compliance with company policies,
• approval authorities and regulatory requirements.
• Lead AP audit related activities, maintain SOPs and process documentation, and ensure the function remains audit-ready at all times.
• Identify and mitigate risks relating to fraud, duplicate payments, vendor master data and control weaknesses through effective monitoring and governance

Competencies Required for the Role

Technical Skills:

• Strong understanding of accounting principles, especially in the areas of accounts payable.
• Proficiency in accounting software and Microsoft Excel.
• Familiarity with ERP systems and automation tools related to AP.

Analytical Abilities:

• Ability to analyse financial data and generate actionable insights.
• Strong problem-solving skills, especially in resolving discrepancies and optimizing processes.

Communication and Negotiation:

• Excellent communication skills for working with vendors and internal departments.
• Negotiation skills for managing vendor terms and resolving disputes.

Leadership and Teamwork:

• Leadership experience in managing and motivating a team.
• Collaboration with other departments (e.g., procurement, finance) to align AP processes with overall financial goals.

Attention to Detail:

• Meticulous attention to detail to ensure accurate invoice processing and payment management.
• Ability to spot errors, inconsistencies, and areas of potential risk

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred
• 5-7 years of experience in accounts payable or accounting roles, with at least 3 to 5 years of management experience.
• Proven track record of Transforming and improving AP function within a busy finance department.
• Experience in managing employee expense processing.
• Managed a minimum of 2 or more team members.
• Strong communication skills and ability to interact well with management and key stakeholders.
• Experience managing AP across multiple legal entities and currencies
• Experience managing high-volume invoice processing environments

Desirable:

• Experience in manufacturing/production/supply chain industry sector is a distinct advantage.
• Experience in power BI

Work Arrangement

• 100% Remote / Work From Home
• Work Days: Monday to Friday
• Shift Schedule: 2pm to 11pm PH Manila time
• Earn up to 135,000 depending on the experience