Accounts Payable/Receivable Senior Executive

Cancer Research UK; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Cancer Research UK is seeking an experienced Finance Operations professional to deliver robust AP/AR services, uphold key controls, and support stakeholders including colleagues and suppliers. The role reports to the Finance Manager within the Finance, Governance & Assurance directorate and is office-based with flexible days in the office.

You will manage reconciliations, monitor KPIs, and help drive process improvements across procure-to-pay activities while supporting audits and system

Qualifications

• Previous experience in an Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable or Finance Operations role.
• Experience working within a controlled financial environment.
• Understanding of customer and supplier account management.
• Experience with Business World and Purchase Point systems would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of high-performing Accounts Payable (AP) and Accounts Receivable (AR) services, ensuring SLAs and KPIs are consistently achieved.
• Maintain and uphold key financial controls across AP and AR processes, including the completion of critical reconciliations.
• Provide an excellent service experience to CRUK colleagues, suppliers, customers, supporters, and other stakeholders.
• Support the resolution of more complex queries and issues, helping to ensure timely and effective outcomes.
• Manage aged debt and creditor balances, ensuring timely reconciliation and resolution of outstanding items.
• Monitor performance against KPIs and SLAs, providing regular reporting and insights to the Finance Manager.
• Act as the escalation point for complex Accounts Receivable queries and support Accounts Payable escalations when required.
• Oversee key financial controls, including: Customer account approvals, Payment reviews and approvals, Supplier reconciliation reviews, Purchasing card controls.
• Maintain process documentation and support the development of best practice across AP and AR activities.
• Work closely with Procurement to improve efficiency across the Procure-to-Pay process.
• Support finance projects, including audit actions, system enhancements and process improvement initiatives.
• Participate in system testing, documenting and implementing approved changes.
• Provide support and cover for the Finance Manager as required.
• Contribute to team objectives and support Cancer Research UK's mission.

Skills

Stakeholder Management

Technical Expertise

Behaviours

Tools

Business World

Purchase Point

Job description

£38,000 - £40,000 per annum plus benefits

Reports to: Finance Manager

Directorate: Finance, Governance & Assurance

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time 35 hours per week

Location: Location Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office)

Closing date: 15 October 2026 23:55

Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.

In this role, you will:

• Support the delivery of high-performing Accounts Payable (AP) and Accounts Receivable (AR) services, ensuring SLAs and KPIs are consistently achieved.
• Maintain and uphold key financial controls across AP and AR processes, including the completion of critical reconciliations.
• Provide an excellent service experience to CRUK colleagues, suppliers, customers, supporters, and other stakeholders.
• Support the resolution of more complex queries and issues, helping to ensure timely and effective outcomes.

Key Accountabilities

• Manage aged debt and creditor balances, ensuring timely reconciliation and resolution of outstanding items.
• Monitor performance against KPIs and SLAs, providing regular reporting and insights to the Finance Manager.
• Act as the escalation point for complex Accounts Receivable queries and support Accounts Payable escalations when required.
• Oversee key financial controls, including:
  • Customer account approvals
  • Payment reviews and approvals
  • Supplier reconciliation reviews
  • Purchasing card controls
• Maintain process documentation and support the development of best practice across AP and AR activities.
• Work closely with Procurement to improve efficiency across the Procure-to-Pay process.
• Support finance projects, including audit actions, system enhancements and process improvement initiatives.
• Participate in system testing, documenting and implementing approved changes.
• Provide support and cover for the Finance Manager as required.
• Contribute to team objectives and support Cancer Research UK's mission.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Stakeholder Management
  • Builds effective working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels.
  • Communicates clearly and confidently, adapting messages to different audiences.
  • Provides guidance and support on finance processes and requirements.
  • Works effectively within a matrix environment, supporting and coordinating the work of others where needed.
• Technical Expertise
  • Strong understanding of Accounts Payable and/or Accounts Receivable processes.
  • Experience working with financial controls, reconciliations and month-end activities.
  • Knowledge of VAT and related financial regulations.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Comfortable using financial systems and interpreting management information.
  • Experience of driving process improvements and operational efficiencies.
  • High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Behaviours
  • Takes ownership and accountability for delivering high-quality work.
  • Manages priorities effectively and delivers against deadlines.
  • Demonstrates initiative and a solutions-focused approach.
  • Embraces change and continuously looks for ways to improve.
  • Acts with professionalism, integrity and respect.
  • Promotes an inclusive and collaborative working environment.

Experience & Qualifications

• Previous experience in an Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable or Finance Operations role.
• Experience working within a controlled financial environment.
• Understanding of customer and supplier account management.
• Experience with Business World and Purchase Point systems would be advantageous.

Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.

• Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination
• Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism
• Human: Act to have a positive impact on people
• Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively

What will I gain?

We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals. You can explore our benefits by visiting our careers web page.