Interim Head of Accounts Payable

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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.

#J-18808-Ljbffr”, “datePosted”: “2026-05-20”, “hiringOrganization”: { “@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “Investigo”, “sameAs”: “https://uk.whatjobs.com/pub_api__cpl__436751882__4861?utm_campaign=publisher&utm_medium=api&utm_source=4861&geoID=10548” }, “jobLocation”: { “@type”: “Place”, “address”: { “@type”: “PostalAddress”, “addressLocality”: “Edgware” } } }
Company: Investigo
Apply for the Interim Head of Accounts Payable
Location: Edgware
Job Description:

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.

#J-18808-Ljbffr…

Posted: May 20th, 2026