Accounts Payable Specialist

Sidley Austin LLP; City Of London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm in London is seeking a detail-oriented Accounts Payable professional for a 12-month fixed term contract. The role involves reviewing and processing invoices, ensuring compliance with VAT regulations, maintaining supplier records, and supporting payment cycles across offices. Ideal candidates will have strong Accounts Payable experience, excellent accuracy, and communication skills. The position offers a collaborative environment and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Annual discretionary performance bonus

Non-contributory pension scheme

33 days paid time off

Private Medical Insurance

Health club contribution

Interest‑free season ticket loan

Free GP service

Qualifications

• Strong Accounts Payable experience ideally with Chrome River and 3E.
• Excellent accuracy, numeracy and attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.

Responsibilities

• Audit invoice and expense submissions for accuracy and compliance.
• Run daily payment reports and prepare payment batches.
• Reconcile supplier statements and resolve queries.

Skills

Strong Accounts Payable experience

Excellent accuracy

Strong communication skills

Analytical and problem solving ability

Education

GCSEs including Maths and English

Tools

Chrome River

3E

Job description

Summary

Sidley in London

We are proud to offer our lawyers and professional staff myriad opportunities to apply their talents toward important, challenging projects on a global stage. Our culture of collegiality attracts people with diverse skills and backgrounds who are dedicated to teamwork, collaboration and superior client service.

Sidley has built an inclusive, collegiate culture firmwide and we maintain an environment focused on teamwork and cooperation. Our London office has a relaxed, down-to-earth friendliness, with lawyers and business professionals at all levels treating each other with genuine respect. We value the skills and knowledge that each team member brings and believe in creating a work environment where everyone thrives.

We are located in a distinctive new development at 70 St. Mary Axe with panoramic views across London. Based in the heart of the City and close to Liverpool Street station with all the area has to offer – fantastic restaurants and bars, shopping and sporting facilities. You’ll find a great social scene within the office, with organised events including sailing and skiing weekends, seasonal parties and charitable team activities.

Inclusion

Sidley is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive culture. We recognise that bringing together individuals from various backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives strengthens the quality of our legal work and continues to position us as a trusted leader in the legal profession. Our commitment to inclusion not only enriches our workplace but also enhances our ability to fulfill our mission providing the highest quality legal services for our clients.

Role overview

We are looking for a proactive and detail driven Accounts Payable professional to join our European finance team on a 12 month fixed term contract. This is a lively and varied role where you will review and process invoices and expenses, ensure accurate VAT treatment, maintain supplier records and support smooth, timely payment cycles across multiple offices. You will handle queries with confidence, work closely with colleagues at all levels and play a key part in keeping our financial operations running efficiently. If you enjoy working in a fast paced environment, thrive on accuracy and take pride in delivering great service, this role offers a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact within a supportive and collaborative team.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each Essential Duty and Responsibility (the “Essential Duties”) satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the Essential Duties.

The role provides comprehensive Accounts Payable support across all European and London offices, ensuring accuracy, compliance and timely processing within the firm’s financial controls.

Key Responsibilities

Invoice and Expense Processing

• Audit Chrome River Invoice and Expense submissions for all European offices, confirming correct client and matter numbers, general ledger coding, vendor details and VAT treatment.
• Apply strong knowledge of European VAT deductibility across multiple entities.
• Ensure all submissions are authorised in accordance with firm policies and expedite issues where required.
• Validate invoice details and supporting documentation, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Manage vendor bank detail verification through direct calls or coordination with local European contacts in the relevant language.

Payments and Banking

• Run daily payment reports in 3E and prepare payment batches for approval through Barclays.
• Advise the Finance Manager Europe of any required funding for large disbursements.
• Process weekly taxi account uploads, monthly Sodexo catering invoices and office rent payments.
• Manage Munich office soft cost uploads, direct debit postings and monthly intercompany invoice reviews.
• Pay in cheques and cash and handle foreign currency and bank draft transactions.

Reconciliations and Queries

• Reconcile supplier statements, ensuring balances match and investigating discrepancies.
• Monitor and resolve queries received in the EU Accounts Payable inbox within expected timeframes.
• Act as a primary point of contact for vendor queries regarding payments and account status.
• Recognise valid VAT invoices and process monthly VAT reclaims once compliant documentation is received.
• Maintain accurate personal account balances for firm employees and prepare the monthly payroll deduction file for London payroll.

Compliance and Reporting

• Support annual PSA tax analysis, including detailed reporting of firm taxi accounts.
• Ensure adherence to legal requirements and internal procedures across all European offices.
• Assist with audit requirements and maintain accurate financial records in line with firm standards.

Teamwork and Service Delivery

• Deliver a high level of customer service, taking ownership of queries through to resolution.
• Work collaboratively as an integrated member of the team, building strong working relationships and supporting colleagues where appropriate.
• Undertake any additional responsibilities that reasonably fall within the remit of the role.

Qualifications

Candidate profile

The following attributes are essential for success in this role:

• GCSEs including Maths and English.
• Strong Accounts Payable experience, ideally with Chrome River and 3E.
• High integrity and confidence handling confidential information.
• Excellent accuracy, numeracy and attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• The ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
• A flexible, service focused approach and a willingness to adapt.
• A collaborative, hands on working style.
• Good organisational skills and sound judgment.
• Strong analytical and problem solving ability.

Additional Strengths

• Confident presentation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• The ability to balance workload across several projects.
• A proactive, self motivated mindset with a sense of ownership.

Benefits

• Annual discretionary performance bonus
• Non-contributory pension scheme – 5% employer contribution, with an additional 3% matched from you
• 33 days paid time off – inclusive of short-term sickness absence
• Private Medical Insurance
• Permanent Health Insurance
• Life Assurance – equivalent to four times your salary
• Health club contribution
• Interest‑free season ticket loan
• Free GP service and regular health checks