Purchase Ledger Manager

Venture Recruitment Partners; England; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An international professional services business is seeking an experienced Accounts Payable Manager for their Southampton office. This role requires overseeing the global Accounts Payable function, ensuring timely invoice processing, compliance with international tax legislation, and mentoring the AP team. Candidates should have over 5 years of relevant experience, strong leadership skills, and advanced proficiency in law firm practice management systems. This is a great opportunity to contribute to a leading firm in the industry.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of Accounts Payable experience in a law firm, including 2+ years in a management role.
• Proven experience managing AP in a multi-entity, multi-currency environment.
• Strong track record in designing and enforcing internal controls.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of the Accounts Payable department, ensuring timely invoice processing.
• Manage the firm-wide expense reporting system for compliance with policies.
• Supervise and mentor the AP team to foster accountability and excellence.

Skills

Accounts Payable experience

Leadership skills

Analytical mindset

Communication skills

Education

5+ years of Accounts Payable experience

Tools

3E

Cosine

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Hybrid/Office/Remote

The Role:

Accounts Payable Manager - salary c£65k - £80k DOE

An international professional services business is seeking to recruit an experienced Purchase Ledger Manager to be based in their Southampton office.

Role Purpose

Responsible for the end‑to‑end management, control, and efficiency of the firm’s global Accounts Payable function. This role requires a detail‑oriented leader with expertise in multi‑currency legal invoice processing, expense management, and compliance with international tax legislation (VAT/GST).

Reports to: Group Finance Director

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee daily operations of the Accounts Payable department across all jurisdictions, ensuring timely and accurate processing of invoices, expenses, disbursements, and payment runs.
• Manage the firm‑wide expense reporting system, ensuring employee reimbursements comply with firm policies and tax regulations.
• Act as the escalation point for internal and external AP queries.
• Establish, implement, and enforce internal controls to safeguard assets and mitigate fraud risk, particularly in multi‑jurisdictional wire payments.
• Ensure compliance with local and international tax regulations (VAT, GST, withholding tax, offshore requirements).
• Maintain vendor and employee data accuracy, ensuring proper vetting and authorization across all entities.
• Serve as the primary contact for external and internal auditors, providing documentation and explanations of AP processes and controls.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop the AP team, setting performance goals, conducting reviews, and fostering a culture of accountability and excellence.
• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, drive automation, and optimize ERP functionality for efficiency and accuracy.
• Collaborate with the Finance Systems team to ensure proper configuration and data integrity

Experience & Skills

• 5+ years of Accounts Payable experience in a law firm, including 2+ years in a management/supervisory role.
• Proven experience managing AP in a multi‑entity, multi‑currency environment.
• Strong track record in designing, implementing, and enforcing internal controls and process improvements.
• Advanced proficiency with law firm practice management systems (3E and Cosine highly desirable) and Microsoft Excel.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Visio, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook).
• Experience with system change management is desirable.
• Knowledge of offshore financial service regulations or operational experience in key jurisdictions.

Personal Characteristics

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to delegate effectively and develop talent.
• Exceptional precision and accuracy in financial processing and data review.
• Analytical mindset to resolve complex payment, vendor, and compliance discrepancies quickly.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for liaising with senior stakeholders, legal professionals, and vendors across cultures and time zones.
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt flexibly to changing demands.

This is a great opportunity to join a leader in its field, please do apply for more information.

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

We will consider all qualified applications for this position. Venture Recruitment Partners does not discriminate against disability, sex, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, or any other status protected under the Equality Act 2010.

Venture Recruitment Partners (also trading as Chilworth Partnership Ltd) is a Recruitment Agency. By applying for this role, you are authorising us as a Recruitment Agency to contact you and to provide services and information relating to job hunting activities. Please see our Privacy Policy at (url removed).