Global Accounts Payable (AP) Lead

S&P Global; Penang; On-site; MYR 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global financial services company is seeking a Global Accounts Payable Lead in Penang, Malaysia. This pivotal role involves overseeing the end-to-end accounts payable processes, team leadership, and enhancing efficiency. Candidates should have 12-15 years of relevant experience, strong financial acumen, and be adept in managing a global finance team. The position offers a dynamic environment with competitive benefits for a rewarding career.

Benefits

Health care coverage

Generous time off

Access to resources for career growth

Competitive pay with financial planning

Family-friendly benefits

Qualifications

• 12-15 years of relevant experience managing Accounts Payable function within a global organisation.
• Strong understanding of accounts payable principles and general accounting concepts.
• Proven experience in leading and managing a global finance team.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end accounts payable lifecycle and ensure compliance with internal policies.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Accounts Payable associates.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for internal stakeholders and external vendors.
• Drive the end-to-end disbursement process for timely execution of vendor payments.
• Identify opportunities to streamline and automate AP processes.

Skills

Accounts Payable Management

Team Leadership

Problem-Solving

Financial Analysis

Communication

Education

Graduates with MBA Finance or Professional Qualifications

Tools

SAP ERP

Microsoft Excel

Job description

About the Role

Global Accounts Payable (AP) Lead will be a pivotal member of the Global Financial Operations Team, responsible for overseeing the end‑to‑end accounts payable processes. This role requires a professional with a strong understanding of AP principles, a meticulous eye for detail, and proven experience in team leadership. The Global AP Lead will ensure the accurate and timely processing of invoices, manage vendor relationships, and drive continuous process improvements to enhance efficiency and control within the AP function.

The Team

Osttra Finance Team is based out of the UK, India, Penang, Sweden and US. It is an entrepreneurial team, who is highly energetic, flexible, dynamic and works beyond boundaries to deliver the real values. We are standing up an independent global finance team.

Location

Penang, Malaysia

Work Hours

UK Shift

Responsibilities and Impact

Role and responsibilities of a Global Accounts Payable Lead

The Global AP Lead will be responsible for building and leading a team and ensuring the operational excellence of the AP function across EMEA, APAC, US & India regions, including but not limited to:

• Process Management & Oversight: Oversee the end‑to‑end accounts payable lifecycle, from invoice receipt and verification to payment processing and reconciliation. Ensure compliance with internal policies and controls.
• Team Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Accounts Payable associates. Conduct regular performance reviews, provide constructive feedback, and facilitate skill development to build a high‑performing team.
• Vendor Management & Stakeholder Collaboration: Serve as a primary point of contact for key internal stakeholders and external vendors to resolve complex payment and invoice‑related issues.
• Payment Processing: Drive the end‑to‑end disbursement process, ensuring the timely and accurate execution of vendor invoice and T&E payment cycles while maintaining rigorous control over tax and compliance documentation prior to funds release.
• Review and Validation: Critically review vendor invoices, purchase orders, and T&E claims to verify the correctness of VAT/Tax rates, registration numbers, and applicability based on the supplier’s jurisdiction. Also responsible for maintenance of Vendor master data.
• Key Metrics: Responsible for producing metrics including but not limited to:
  • Cash outflow forecast to Treasury
  • Average Invoice Processing Time
  • Days Payable Outstanding
  • First Pass Match Rate
• Process Improvement & Automation: Proactively identify opportunities to streamline and automate AP processes. Lead projects to implement new systems or technologies to improve efficiency and accuracy.
• Audit & Compliance: Support internal and external audits by providing documentation, explanations, and analysis related to accounts payable. Ensure all AP practices comply with company policies and financial regulations.
• Reporting & Analysis: Prepare and analyze AP reports, including aging reports and vendor metrics, to provide management with insights into cash flow and operational performance.
• Initiatives / Projects: Lead initiatives / projects as required to support any business driven / system changes.
• Stakeholder Management: Collaborate cross‑functionally with teams such as Treasury (for Cash Outflow), Group Financial Control, Legal Entity Control, and FP&A to strategically address and resolve ad‑hoc financial and operational challenges.

What We’re Looking For

Basic Required Experience

Candidates must have specialist experience in managing an Accounts Payable team end to end and a mix of technical (in a SAP environment), professional, and leadership competencies. They must be adept at:

• Experience: 12‑15 years of relevant experience of managing Accounts Payable function within a global organisation, with at least 5‑8 years of direct team leadership experience. For the right candidate we will be willing to flex the requirement of number of years of experience.
• Financial & Accounting Acumen: Strong understanding of accounts payable principles, three‑way matching, and general accounting concepts.
• Compliances & Audits: Experience and knowledge in managing Legal Entity / Group Audits and compliances across multiple geographies.
• Leadership & Team Management: Proven experience in leading and managing a global finance team, with a focus on talent development, delegation, and building a high‑performance culture.
• Problem‑Solving & Analytical Skills: A proactive and solution‑oriented mindset with the ability to identify issues and implement effective resolutions. Strong analytical skills to manage and interpret AP data.
• Strategic & Analytical Thinking: A proactive, solution‑oriented mindset with the ability to identify systemic issues and drive strategic resolutions. Strong analytical skills to interpret complex financial data and trends.
• Driving Change & System Implementation: Extensive experience in process and system transitions (in a SAP environment). A champion of change who thrives in dynamic environments and drives innovation. The person should be able to define and evolve key payment processes like Direct Debits, Manual Payments, SAP Fiori workflows, etc.
• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact professionally with internal and external stakeholders.

Technological proficiency

Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP, Pivot tables, advanced formulas) and experience with SAP ERP systems.

Qualifications

• Graduates. Additional preferred MBA Finance/ Professional Qualifications.
• Experience in a senior leadership role within a finance team of a global organization.

About OSTTRA

Launched in 2021, OSTTRA unites four businesses that have been at the heart of post‑trade evolution and innovation for over 20 years: MarkitServ, Traiana, TriOptima and Reset. With an outstanding track record of developing and supporting critical market infrastructure, our combined network connects thousands of market participants to streamline end‑to‑end workflows – from trade capture at the point of execution, through portfolio optimization, to clearing and settlement.

What’s In It For You?

Benefits

• Health & Wellness: Health care coverage designed for the mind and body.
• Flexible Downtime: Generous time off helps keep you energized for your time on.
• Continuous Learning: Access a wealth of resources to grow your career and learn valuable new skills.
• Invest in Your Future: Secure your financial future through competitive pay, retirement planning, a continuing education program with a company‑matched student loan contribution, and financial wellness programs.
• Family Friendly Perks: It’s not just about you. S&P Global has perks for your partners and little ones, too, with some best‑in‑class benefits for families.
• Beyond the Basics: From retail discounts to referral incentive awards—small perks can make a big difference.

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Equal Opportunity Employer

S&P Global is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, military veteran status, unemployment status or any other status protected by law. Only electronic job submissions will be considered for employment.

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