Accounts Payable / Planning Specialist
£240.00 per day (Umbrella)
London (Hybrid)
6 Month Contract
Our client is currently searching for an Accounts Payable / Planning Specialist to join their team. In this role, you will take ownership of both financial operations and forward-looking planning activities for Key Accounts, ensuring not only accurate Accounts Payable delivery but also robust budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning
.This is a highly visible position where planning and financial insight are critical, enabling the business to make informed decisions and effectively manage account performance. Alongside core AP responsibilities, you will play a key role in budget ownership, forecasting cycles, account planning, and performance tracking, working closely with Key Account Managers and Finance teams
.You will also support business reviews, audits, pricing and launch communications, vendor and customer setup, and value-adding initiatives such as Key Accounts digitisation
.Role Responsibilities
- :Own and manage Accounts Payable processes for Key Accounts, including invoice processing, Proof of Performance (POP) review, and timely query resolutio
- nAct as a key point of contact for customers, internal stakeholders, and third-party finance teams, building strong working relationship
- sEnsure controls, compliance, and audit readiness in line with internal policies, providing supporting documentation as require
- dLead process improvements and efficiencies, including contributions to the Key Accounts digitalisation projec
- tDeliver regular reporting, insights, and updates to the business, including weekly financial and performance report
sPlanning & Budgeting Responsibilities (Core Focus)
- :Take ownership of Key Account financial planning, including budgeting, forecasting cycles, and ongoing financial trackin
- gManage the Key Accounts budget, ensuring alignment with targets (OB, RF), while proactively identifying risks and opportunitie
- sProvide forecasting, variance analysis, and performance insights, working closely with KAMs to support strategic decision-makin
- gAct as the primary contact for all planning, budget, and cost-related queries, partnering with Finance and stakeholders to ensure accuracy and alignmen
- tMaintain and oversee Account Deployment Plans (ADPs), ensuring they are accurate, regularly updated, and aligned to contractual commitments and approval
- sSupport business planning cycles by providing data-driven recommendations and scenario analysi
sOperational & Financial Governance
- :Train, coach, and support Key Account Managers (KAMs) on POP requirements, budget management, forecasting, and financial processe
- sManage purchase orders (SAP & Coupa), including creation, monthly updates, monitoring, and closure to minimise accrual
- sOversee month-end and year-end processes, including accruals, reconciliation of open POs, and validation of supporting documentatio
- nReconciliation of open POs to be accrued each mont
hKey Skills / Experienc
- e:Proven experience in an Accounts Payable or finance role, with end-to-end process ownersh
- ipStrong knowledge of invoice processing, PO management, and query resoluti
- onDemonstrable experience in financial planning, budgeting, and forecasti
- ngStrong analytical skills, with the ability to translate financial data into actionable insigh
- tsExperience with variance analysis and supporting commercial decision-maki
- ngAbility to support month-end/year-end close, including accruals and reconciliatio
- nsExperience using SAP, Coupa, or similar financial syste
- msAdvanced Excel skills (e.g. pivot tables, formulas, data analysi
- s)Solid understanding of financial controls, compliance, and audit requiremen
- tsStrong stakeholder management and communication skills, including working with non-finance tea
- msProven track record of process improvement and driving efficiencies, ideally within digitisation initiativ
- esHighly organised with a proactive approach to planning, prioritisation, and deadline manageme
ntIf you are interested in this role, please do not hesitate to apply! Please note that in the event of high volumes of applications, we will only be able to respond to successful applications in the first instan
ce….