Finance Supervisor

Dickson O'Brien Associates Limited; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading finance consultancy in Liverpool seeks a Finance Supervisor to lead AP, AR, and Credit Control teams. This role oversees finance operations, supports the Finance Manager, and ensures efficient processes. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, transactional finance experience, and SAP knowledge. This full-time position involves collaboration across departments to enhance financial accuracy and process improvements.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in AP, AR and general accounting operations, ideally within an SME.
• Proven ability to lead or support a transactional finance team.
• Good understanding of balance sheet reconciliations and the month-end process.
• High level of attention to detail with strong analytical and problem‑solving ability.
• Experience with SAP is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide direction and support to the finance team.
• Oversee AP and AR processes ensuring timely processing.
• Take responsibility for balance sheet reconciliations.
• Review and improve finance processes and controls.
• Assist Finance Manager with high-level financial reports.
• Ensure month-end tasks are completed correctly.
• Work closely with other departments to resolve issues.

Skills

Accounts Payable experience

Accounts Receivable experience

Transactional finance leadership

Analytical skills

Problem-solving ability

Effective communication

SAP experience

Job description

Role Purpose

The Finance Supervisor will act as the operational lead for the finance team, overseeing AP, AR and Credit Control activity while providing hands on support where needed. The role is the key link between the Finance Manager and the transactional finance team, helping to maintain accuracy, efficiency and continuous improvement across day-to-day operations.

This position will also support the Finance Manager with more complex queries, higher level reporting and some responsibility for key balance sheet reconciliations, helping to free up time for more strategic work.

Key Responsibilities

1. Team Leadership and Oversight

Provide day-to-day direction, support and guidance to the AP, AR and Credit Control team members. Act as the first point of escalation for operational queries from the Accounts Assistants and the Payroll Supervisor. Build a positive and supportive team culture focused on accuracy, efficiency and accountability. Be able to provide cover across all roles within the transactional finance team when required, ensuring continuity during absence or peak periods.

2. Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and Credit Control Oversight

Oversee the AP and AR processes to ensure timely processing, accurate postings and appropriate controls. Monitor credit control activity, ensuring overdue balances are followed up and credit limits are managed. Maintain the integrity of supplier and customer ledgers through regular reviews of ageing reports and resolution of discrepancies.

3. Balance Sheet Ownership

Take responsibility for an agreed set of balance sheet reconciliations. Review reconciliations prepared by team members and ensure any outstanding items are resolved promptly.

4. Process Improvement and Controls

Review and improve finance processes, controls and documentation across AP, AR, banking and credit control. Lead initiatives to streamline workflows and reduce manual effort. Support system improvements and changes, including any SAP considerations.

5. Support to the Finance Manager

Assist with high-level financial reports, KPIs and analysis. Handle more complex operational finance queries to reduce day-to-day involvement from the Finance Manager.

6. Month-End and Reporting

Ensure transactional finance tasks are completed correctly and on time for month-end. Review postings, journals and reconciliations relating to AP, AR and credit control. Prepare management information, summaries or dashboards as required.

7. Cross-Department Collaboration

Work closely with procurement, sales, customer service and operations to resolve issues and improve processes. Provide finance guidance to non-finance colleagues and support informed decision making.

Skills and Experience Required

Strong experience in AP, AR and general accounting operations, ideally within an SME. Proven ability to lead or support a transactional finance team. Good understanding of balance sheet reconciliations and the month-end process. High level of attention to detail with strong analytical and problem‑solving ability. Comfortable being hands‑on while retaining oversight of the wider function. Confident communicator who can work effectively with both finance and non‑finance teams. Experience with SAP is essential.

This is a full‑time role, hours 8:30‑5 Monday‑Thursday and 08:30‑2:30 on Fridays.