Purchase Ledger Team Leader

Inspire Education Group; Peterborough; On-site; GBP 33,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational organization in Peterborough seeks a proactive Purchase Ledger Team Leader to manage purchase ledger processing and oversee a dynamic finance team. The ideal candidate will have strong finance knowledge, attention to detail, and leadership skills to ensure timely payment cycles and compliance with finance procedures. This is a permanent role offering competitive annual salary and generous leave package.

Benefits

30 days' annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Enhanced DBS check funded

Opportunities for progression

Supportive finance team

Qualifications

• Level 2 English and Maths required.
• Experience in purchase ledger and payment management.
• Strong understanding of double entry and VAT.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Purchase Ledger team.
• Oversee purchase recording and invoice processing.
• Manage timely payment runs and month-end processes.

Skills

Leadership

Attention to detail

Communication

Organisational skills

Finance processes improvement

Education

Level 3 qualification in a relevant discipline

Professional qualification such as AAT

Tools

MS Office

Finance software

Job description

Salary - £32,102 per annum, pay award pending
Hours - 37 hours per week, all year round
Contract - Permanent
Location - Peterborough
Closing Date - 10th December 2025

Make an impact at the heart of our finance operations. Lead, develop and deliver excellence. Inspire Education Group (IEG) is seeking a proactive and highly organised Purchase Ledger Team Leader to oversee all aspects of purchase ledger processing and expenditure recognition across the Group. This role is ideal for an experienced finance professional with strong technical knowledge, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to lead a high‑performing team within a busy and dynamic environment. Reporting to the Senior Financial Accountant, you will take responsibility for the timely and accurate processing of all accounts payable transactions, ensuring efficient payment cycles, full compliance with finance procedures, and excellent customer service to internal and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise and develop the Purchase Ledger team, allocating workloads to meet the cyclical demands of the academic year.
• Oversee the recording and processing of all purchases across the Group, including new supplier setup, invoice processing and batch posting.
• Manage the production and administration of payment runs, ensuring suppliers are paid on time and in line with ESFA payment requirements.
• Process manual supplier invoices and maintain full financial controls over payment activity.
• Complete key account reconciliations, including bank accounts, and manage month‑end and year‑end close procedures.
• Monitor, tidy and maintain accurate Purchase Ledgers in accordance with KPIs.
• Produce and post monthly journals, maintaining compliance with audit standards and segregation of duties.
• Support and train colleagues in the use of the purchase order system (DOLi).
• Respond promptly to queries received via the accounts payable inbox, delivering high‑quality customer service.
• Participate in continuous improvement activities to enhance financial processes and documentation.
• Liaise with auditors, provide requested information and ensure finance procedures remain up to date.
• Support wider finance activities, including enrolments and cross‑group events.
• Uphold all finance regulations, policies and safeguarding requirements in line with IEG standards.

About You

• Level 2 English and Maths, and a Level 3 qualification in a relevant discipline.
• A professional qualification such as AAT, or willingness to work towards it.
• Recent experience in a finance role, including purchase ledger and payment management.
• Strong understanding of double entry, VAT basics and core financial procedures.
• Experience delivering innovation and improvement within finance systems.
• Excellent communication, planning and organisational skills.
• The ability to work accurately under pressure, manage changing priorities and lead a team effectively.
• High levels of professionalism, integrity, discretion and commitment to safeguarding and equality.
• Competency in MS Office, particularly Excel and Outlook, and comfort using finance software.

Experience within an FE environment is desirable but not essential.

What We Offer

• 30 days' annual leave, plus bank holidays and discretionary days
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Enhanced DBS check fully funded
• A supportive, collaborative finance team and opportunities for progression
• A culture committed to professional development, innovation and continuous improvement

IEG is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and any vulnerable groups within the college community and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to a thorough vetting process which includes an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide.

Candidates are reminded that if they are barred from working with children it is a criminal offence to apply for this position.