Interim Head of Accounts Payable
We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking leader to oversee and transform a high-performing AP function. This is a strategic role suited to someone who combines deep technical expertise with a passion for leveraging technology including AI-driven tools, to enhance efficiency and control.
- 6-month contract
- Immediate start
- Day rate: £200-£250 (dependent on experience)
- Hybrid working (remote and office-based)
The successful candidate will bring a strong background in accounts payable, process transformation, intelligent automation, and team leadership. You will be comfortable challenging existing processes, championing data-led decision-making, and building a collaborative, high-performing team within a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership
- Lead, mentor, and develop the Accounts Payable team, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Define and deliver the AP strategy, ensuring alignment with wider financial and operational objectives.
- Partner with Procurement, Finance, IT, and wider business stakeholders to optimise the procure-to-pay (P2P) lifecycle.
Process Improvement & Automation
- Identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and risks across existing AP processes, implementing scalable and sustainable solutions.
- Drive standardisation and automation initiatives, leveraging technologies such as AI-enabled invoice processing, Optical Character Recognition (OCR), and Robotic Process Automation (RPA).
- Evaluate and implement digital AP platforms to enhance processing speed, accuracy, and reporting capabilities.
- Establish and track key performance indicators (e.g., Days Payable Outstanding, invoice cycle time, error rates) to support continuous improvement.
- Utilise data analytics and dashboards to provide real-time insights into cash flow, supplier performance, and spend trends.
Operational Excellence
- Oversee the end-to-end accounts payable process, including invoice receipt, validation, coding, approval, and payment (circa 400-500 invoices per month).
- Ensure timely, accurate supplier payments while maintaining strong vendor relationships.
- Maintain robust internal controls, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory and organisational requirements.
- Lead month-end close activities, including reconciliations and reporting.
- Support the preparation and submission of quarterly VAT returns.
- Contribute to monthly management accounts preparation.
- Own reconciliation of key balance sheet accounts, including prepayments and accruals.
- Support ad hoc projects and initiatives as required.
Skills & Experience
- Part-qualified ACCA/CIMA, AAT qualified, or qualified by experience.
- Minimum of 5 years' progressive experience in Accounts Payable, including at least 2 years in a leadership capacity.
- Demonstrated success in driving AP process improvements and automation initiatives.
- Experience with ERP systems (e.g., Sage Intacct) and AP platforms (e.g., Coupa, Tipalti, Basware); exposure to AI-enabled finance tools is advantageous.
- Strong understanding of financial controls, audit requirements, and compliance frameworks.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong analytical mindset with advanced problem-solving capabilities.
- Proven ability to lead change and bring teams on a transformation journey.
- Confidence working with financial data, reporting tools, and dashboards.
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