Accounts Payable Manager

FirstGroup; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellbeing

Lifestyle perks

Pension and savings schemes

Travel pass

Job summary

GWR is seeking an experienced Accounts Payable (AP) Manager to oversee end-to-end AP, including invoice processing, payments, and supplier refunds, with a team of 4 AP staff. You will drive process improvements, maintain internal controls, and nurture supplier relationships in a hybrid Swindon office environment.

The role requires strong AP knowledge, VAT understanding, and experience in high-volume settings.

Qualifications

• Proficient in ERP systems, preferably SAP S4 Hana.
• Organised with the ability to prioritise workload.
• Able to establish relationships and communicate effectively with colleagues and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage full AP lifecycle including invoice receipt, coding, approvals and payments.
• Ensure invoices processed accurately per policy and regulatory requirements.
• Develop KPIs to measure AP performance and highlight areas needing attention.
• Monitor aged creditor balances and provide period-end reconciliations.
• Drive first-time matching and reduce aged balances in ledgers and cockpit.
• Review supplier statement reconciliations.
• Manage vendor master data for accuracy and reduced fraud risk.
• Ensure VAT compliance and work with Basware and RailSAP for automation.
• Build relationships with requisitioners, Procurement, suppliers and stakeholders to resolve issues.
• Complete Payment Practices Report and other governmental returns as necessary.
• Support internal and external audits.
• Continuously develop AP to improve Procure to Pay efficiency.
• Manage team performance and resources to meet period-end deadlines.

Skills

ERP systems (SAP S4 Hana)

Prioritisation

Stakeholder communication

Accounts payable expertise

Tools

SAP S4 Hana

Job description

Salary: upto £47,500 depending on skills and experience

The Accounts Payable team is based in Milford House Swindon and is part of the wider Financial Controls team.

About the job:

The Accounts Payable (AP) Manager oversees the end-to-end account's payable function, ensuring accurate and timely processing of supplier invoices, payments, and customer refunds. This role manages 4 AP staff, maintains effective internal controls, drives process improvements, and ensures strong supplier relationships.

The AP Manager works closely with procurement, the winder finance teams, and other cross-functional teams to support efficient cash-flow management and financial accuracy.

Your main responsibilities will be:

• Manage the full AP lifecycle, including invoice receipt, validation, coding, approval workflows, and payment processing
• Ensure all invoices are processed accurately and in accordance with company policies, contractual terms, and regulatory requirements.
• Develop KPIs to measure the performance of the function and to highlight areas in need to attention
• Manage and monitor aged creditor balances including GRIR, providing period end reconciliations of the balances
• Drive first time matching success and minimize the number of aged balances on the ledgers and in the cockpit
• Review and approve supplier statement reconciliations
• Manage vendor master data to ensure accuracy, compliance, and reduced risk of fraud.
• Ensure compliance with VAT rules
• Work closely with Basware and RailSAP to leverage the automation opportunities available from these systems
• Build and maintain relationships with requisitioners, Procurement, suppliers and other stakeholders to quickly resolve issues as they arise
• Complete the Payment Practices Report and other governmental returns as necessary
• Support internal and external audits
• Continuously develop the function and work with Procurement to ensure the Procure to Pay process is as efficient as possible
• Manage the team's performance and resources to ensure that period end can be delivered on a timely basis with reconciliations signed off as soon as possible
• Manage the team to ensure compliance with HR and other key policies
• Other ad hoc duties as required

You’ll need to be:

• Proficient in ERP systems, preferably SAP S4 Hana
• Organised with the ability to prioritise workload
• Able to establish relationships and communicate effectively with colleagues and stakeholders.

As a minimum you’ll need to have:

• A proven track record in managing and developing teams
• Experience in a high-volume environment
• Strong understanding of AP processes, accounting principles, and internal controls.
• Understanding of double entry accounting and key financial transactions
• Good excel skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy

About the location:

Milford House is close to the Swindon Train Station and town centre. We also offer hybrid working but there is a current expectation that you will be in the office 3 days a week (which is subject to change). Occasional travel across our network will be required.

Working Pattern:

37 hour working week – Monday to Friday

Additional Information:

An accounting qualification is desirable but not necessary.

About GWR

At GWR, we are proud to carry over 100 million passenger journeys every year to more than 275 stations across the South West, Wales, and London. With some of the UK's newest trains and a commitment to exceptional service, we are transforming rail travel.

We believe rail is more than just transport – it's a relaxing, efficient, and enjoyable experience. That's why we're looking for people who will help us revalue rail and make every journey special.

Perks & Benefits?

• Health & Wellbeing: Health Cash Plan, health screenings, EAP, gym discounts.
• Lifestyle: Costco membership, bike scheme, retail discounts.
• Financial: Pension, share-saving schemes, payroll giving, electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme.

• Travel: Free GWR Travel pass. Discounted Friends and Family tickets, Eurostar and European rail travel.

Our Commitment to Inclusion:

We all belong at GWR.We embracediversity and ensure equal opportunities for all. Differences in age, gender, LGBTQIA, ethnicity, religion, and disability are valued, with zero tolerance for prejudice.

We promote flexible working, review job roles for accessibility, and support colleagues in thriving. If you need adjustments due to a disability or neurodivergent condition, please let us know.

Exceptional Individuals – Neurodiversity

Health Assured – Neurodiversity

INGWR