Accounts Payable Manager (12 Month Fixed Term Contract)

Fora; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work patterns

28 days annual leave + volunteering

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

Fora is seeking an experienced Accounts Payable Manager to lead the AP function on a 12-month maternity cover contract. You will manage a seven-person team, drive process improvements and partner with Finance and the wider business to ensure accurate, timely supplier payments and strong financial controls.

You will shape AP operations, optimise workflows, and lead automation initiatives while maintaining governance across multiple sites.

Qualifications

• Experience leading an Accounts Payable team
• Proven track record in managing supplier invoices, reconciliations and payments
• Experience with month-end activities including accruals and prepayments
• Strong financial controls, governance and audit readiness
• Experience driving automation and transformation in AP processes
• Degree-level education or equivalent required
• Experience in the property sector or multi-site organisations is advantageous

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of seven AP professionals to deliver accurate and timely supplier payments
• Oversee daily AP operations, ensuring accuracy of invoices, approvals and postings
• Manage supplier reconciliations, payment allocations and ledger maintenance
• Support month-end processes, including accruals and prepayments
• Strengthen internal controls and compliance across AP activities
• Drive process improvements and automation to increase efficiency
• Collaborate with Finance and transformation teams on system enhancements
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and suppliers
• Provide guidance, training and performance feedback to the team
• Deliver timely reporting and insights on payables and cashflow trends

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Process improvement

Financial controls

Advanced Excel

Analytical thinking

Cashflow understanding

Communication

Education

Degree-level education or equivalent

Tools

SAP Business ByDesign

ERP systems

Job description

• We’re looking for an experienced Accounts Payable Manager to join our Finance team on a 12-month maternity cover contract
• This is a key leadership role responsible for overseeing the Accounts Payable function across the Group, ensuring suppliers are paid accurately and on time while maintaining strong financial controls and operational excellence
• You’ll lead a team of seven, work closely with stakeholders across Finance and the wider business, and play an important role in driving process improvements, automation initiatives and continuous operational efficiencies. This role combines people leadership, operational ownership and transformation, offering the opportunity to make a visible impact across the organisation
• Accounts Payable is a critical part of the business, ensuring strong supplier relationships, effective cashflow management and robust financial governance
• Success in this role means building a high-performing team, creating scalable processes that support business growth, and helping shape the future of Accounts Payable through continuous improvement and technology-driven change
• Lead, coach and develop a team of seven Accounts Payable professionals, creating a culture of accountability and continuous improvement
• Support performance management, objective setting and professional development across the team
• Ensure workloads and resources are effectively managed to meet business demands and service expectations
• Create an environment where knowledge sharing, collaboration and high standards are consistently encouraged
• Take ownership of the day-to-day Accounts Payable function across the Group
• Oversee the accurate and timely processing and payment of supplier invoices
• Ensure supplier reconciliations, payment allocations and ledger maintenance are completed to a high standard
• Support month-end activities, including accruals, prepayments and spend analysis
• Maintain strong financial controls and approval processes across all Accounts Payable activities
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, procedures and audit requirements
• Monitor and resolve payment discrepancies, open items and supplier queries promptly
• Promote consistent purchase order compliance across the business to support financial accuracy and reporting
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy and service delivery within Accounts Payable
• Support the ongoing development of purchase order, invoice approval and payment processes
• Partner with transformation teams to enhance automation and maximise system capabilities
• Help drive the adoption of best practice processes across Finance and the wider business
• Build strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders across the organisation
• Act as an escalation point for complex payment issues and operational queries
• Support colleagues across the business through guidance, training and process expertise
• Deliver reporting and insights on payment activity, liabilities and cashflow trends to support decision-making
• This is more than a traditional Accounts Payable role. You’ll have the opportunity to lead a critical Finance function while helping shape its future through process improvement, automation and operational excellence
• You’ll work closely with senior stakeholders, contribute to transformation initiatives and play a direct role in supporting the continued growth of the business

Benefits

• Unleash your potential: Develop your skills and learn new ones with LinkedIn Learning and professional qualifications
• Flexible working: Discover hybrid roles in Backstage and supportive shift patterns for Operations
• Wellness support: Care for your mental health with our Employee Assistance Programme and professional therapy and coaching
• Generous time off: Enjoy 28 days of annual leave, plus two volunteering days for community service
• Celebrate together: Let loose at our lively Summer and End of Year parties
• Health discounts: Save 25% at our in-house cafes and enjoy money off at various pools and fitness events. Plus, get free use of our in-house gyms
• Wallet-friendly travel: Make the most of Season Ticket Loans and Cycle to Work discounts
• Fuel your day: Begin your day with complimentary cereal and fresh fruit and enjoy monthly lunch gatherings on us
• Volunteering days: Two annual volunteer days to spend time working with the causes you care about

You bring a practical, solutions-focused approach, enjoy working collaboratively across the business and are comfortable operating in an environment where continuous improvement is actively encouraged.

You’re someone who enjoys balancing people leadership with operational excellence. You take ownership, build credibility with stakeholders and are motivated by improving processes and developing high-performing teams.

• Ability to build effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels
• Previous experience leading and developing an Accounts Payable team
• Experience driving process improvement and operational efficiencies
• Experience working with complex purchase order and invoice processing workflows
• Strong understanding of financial controls, reconciliations and compliance requirements
• Advanced Excel skills and confidence working with financial data and reporting
• Significant Accounts Payable experience within a high-volume environment
• ERP systems experience is essential
• Experience supporting finance transformation, automation or system enhancement initiatives
• Degree-level education or equivalent
• Property sector experience
• Experience working within a multi-site organisation
• SAP Business ByDesign experience