Accounts Payable Manager (Permanent)

ICAEW; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Hybrid work in Manchester

Pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Professional development support

Extra holiday days

Job summary

ICAEW in Manchester seeks an experienced Accounts Payable Manager to lead a sizeable remote, overseas AP team of 20+ staff. You will own the AP function, drive accuracy, controls and service levels, and manage payment runs and reconciliations.

This is a permanent, hybrid Manchester-based role requiring proven AP leadership in a high-volume environment. You will develop processes, foster stakeholder relationships, and ensure timely, compliant financial operations across a multinational setup.

Qualifications

• Extensive Accounts Payable experience with full AP scope.
• Proven record leading remote/overseas AP teams (20+ members).
• 3+ years AP management in high-volume finance environment.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management.
• Advanced Excel and Microsoft Office proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a large overseas AP team (20+ staff).
• Manage day-to-day AP function and team performance.
• Oversee high-volume invoice processing and approvals.
• Review work for accuracy and resolve escalations.
• Manage supplier ledgers, reconciliations, and payments.
• Improve AP processes, controls and automation.
• Set priorities and deadlines across a remote team.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and clients.

Skills

AP management

Remote team leadership

High-volume AP

Stakeholder management

Advanced Excel

People management

Tools

NetSuite

Xero

QuickBooks

Sage

Job description

Your new company

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly experienced Accounts Payable Manager to join a fast-paced and evolving organisation. This is a remote role based in Manchester and would suit an accomplished AP leader who has successfully managed large overseas Accounts Payable teams.

Your new role

As Accounts Payable Manager, you will take ownership of the AP function, leading and developing a sizeable remote team whilst ensuring a high standard of accuracy, control and service. A key part of this position will be managing an overseas AP team of approximately 20+ people, so previous experience of successfully leading a remote/international finance team of this size is essential. Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading, managing and developing a large overseas Accounts Payable team, including 2 direct reports
• Taking overall responsibility for the day‑to‑day AP function and performance of the team
• Managing high‑volume invoice processing and approval workflows
• Reviewing work completed by the team and ensuring consistently high levels of accuracy
• Managing supplier ledgers, statement reconciliations, payment runs and queries
• Developing and improving AP processes, controls and automation
• Identifying areas for greater efficiency across the function
• Managing workloads, priorities and deadlines across a remotely based team
• Handling escalations and resolving more complex supplier or stakeholder queries
• Building effective working relationships with internal stakeholders, suppliers and clients
• Reviewing and approving transactions and documentation within the accounting system
• Setting clear expectations and maintaining accountability across the team

What you'll need to succeed

This role requires an experienced AP Manager, rather than someone looking to take their first step into management. You will need:

• Extensive Accounts Payable experience, with strong technical knowledge of the full AP function
• A proven track record of successfully leading and developing Accounts Payable teams
• Previous experience managing a large remote/overseas AP team, ideally 20+ employees
• A minimum of 3 years' AP management experience
• Experience working within a high-volume, fast-paced finance environment
• Strong people‑management skills and the confidence to manage performance and set clear expectations
• A resilient and headstrong approach, with the confidence to work effectively with strong personalities
• The emotional intelligence to adapt your communication style and tone depending on the individual or situation, whilst remaining professional
• Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management skills
• Confidence dealing with challenging conversations, escalations and conflict
• A proactive, solutions‑focused approach with the ability to challenge existing processes constructively
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise effectively under pressure
• Advanced Excel skills and good overall Microsoft Office knowledge
• Experience with accounting/ERP systems such as NetSuite, Xero, QuickBooks, Sage or similar
• Experience of process improvement, controls and automated approval workflows

What you'll get in return

You will be joining a growing and fast‑paced environment where you can take genuine ownership of the Accounts Payable function and have a real influence over how the team operates. The role offers: Permanent position

• Competitive salary £40-45,000 depending on experience
• Based in Manchester -hybrid
• Working hours of 9.00am-5.30pm with a one-hour lunch
• Support towards professional qualifications
• 30 days holiday entitlement pro rata (including Bank Holidays) with an additional day for each year of service, plus 2 mental health days for your benefit when a break is needed.
• Pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme and professional development support
• Enhanced parental leave, subject to qualifying criteria