Summary: We are looking for an Interim Head of Accounts Payable to lead and transform a high-performing accounts payable function. This strategic role requires a leader with deep technical expertise and a passion for leveraging technology, including AI-driven tools, to enhance efficiency. The successful candidate will have a strong background in accounts payable, process transformation, and team leadership, and will be responsible for driving improvements and fostering a collaborative team environment. The role is a 6-month contract with an immediate start, offering a day rate between £200 and £250, and features hybrid working arrangements. Key responsibilities include leading the accounts payable team, optimizing processes, implementing automation initiatives, and ensuring compliance with financial controls and regulations.
Interim Head of Accounts Payable
We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking leader to oversee and transform a high-performing AP function. This is a strategic role suited to someone who combines deep technical expertise with a passion for leveraging technology including AI-driven tools, to enhance efficiency and control.
6-month contract Immediate start Day rate: £200–£250 (dependent on experience) Hybrid working (remote and office-based)
The successful candidate will bring a strong background in accounts payable, process transformation, intelligent automation, and team leadership. You will be comfortable challenging existing processes, championing data-led decision-making, and building a collaborative, high-performing team within a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership
- Lead, mentor, and develop the Accounts Payable team, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Define and deliver the AP strategy, ensuring alignment with wider financial and operational objectives.
- Partner with Procurement, Finance, IT, and wider business stakeholders to optimise the procure-to-pay (P2P) lifecycle.
Process Improvement & Automation
- Identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and risks across existing AP processes, implementing scalable and sustainable solutions.
- Drive standardisation and automation initiatives, leveraging technologies such as AI-enabled invoice processing, Optical Character Recognition (OCR), and Robotic Process Automation (RPA).
- Evaluate and implement digital AP platforms to enhance processing speed, accuracy, and reporting capabilities.
- Establish and track key performance indicators (e.g., Days Payable Outstanding, invoice cycle time, error rates) to support continuous improvement.
- Utilise data analytics and dashboards to provide real-time insights into cash flow, supplier performance, and spend trends.
Operational Excellence
- Oversee the end-to-end accounts payable process, including invoice receipt, validation, coding, approval, and payment (circa 400–500 invoices per month).
- Ensure timely, accurate supplier payments while maintaining strong vendor relationships.
- Maintain robust internal controls, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory and organisational requirements.
- Lead month-end close activities, including reconciliations and reporting.
- Support the preparation and submission of quarterly VAT returns.
- Contribute to monthly management accounts preparation.
- Own reconciliation of key balance sheet accounts, including prepayments and accruals.
- Support ad hoc projects and initiatives as required.
Skills & Experience
- Part-qualified ACCA/CIMA, AAT qualified, or qualified by experience.
- Minimum of 5 years’ progressive experience in Accounts Payable, including at least 2 years in a leadership capacity.
- Demonstrated success in driving AP process improvements and automation initiatives.
- Experience with ERP systems (e.g., Sage Intacct) and AP platforms (e.g., Coupa, Tipalti, Basware); exposure to AI-enabled finance tools is advantageous.
- Strong understanding of financial controls, audit requirements, and compliance frameworks.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong analytical mindset with advanced problem-solving capabilities.
- Proven ability to lead change and bring teams on a transformation journey.
- Confidence working with financial data, reporting tools, and dashboards.
