Description
The Manager Accounts Payable is responsible for leading and optimising the full end to end Accounts Payable (creditors) function across the Group within a shared services operating model. The role ensures accuracy, efficiency, automation, supplier optimisation, compliance, and financial governance to support the Group’s financial objectives and operational excellence.
Creditors Management:
• Oversee the full end to end Group creditors cycle, ensuring accurate, timely, policy aligned payments.
• Implement strong controls to prevent duplicate payments, incorrect supplier details, or manual processing errors.
• Manage AP month end close, ageing analysis, reconciliations, and exception resolution.
• Ensure all invoices are processed within defined SLAs and escalation protocol
Process Optimisation:
• Assess the current AP operating model and continuously identify process bottlenecks.
• Define, document, and implement standardised AP policies, workflows, and governance procedures.
• Introduce workflow automation, OCR, and exception based processing to reduce manual effort.
Supplier Management:
• Manage, rationalise, and optimise supplier base to leverage buying power
• Ensure all suppliers are onboarded through proper vetting
• Improve supplier engagement, responsiveness, and communication.
Compliance:
• Ensure all payments have valid supporting documentation (contracts, POs, approvals).
• Enforce internal controls in alignment with finance policies, IFRS standards, and audit requirements.
• Maintain zero tolerance for policy deviations, fraud exposure, or audit exceptions.
• Manage AP compliance training for team and business units.
Data Integrity:
• Maintain a clean, accurate supplier master file aligned with data governance rules.
• Perform scheduled data audits to identify inconsistencies, duplicates, and risks.
• Ensure seamless integration of AP data into ERP systems and reporting tools.
Cashflow Management:
• Prepare short, medium, and long term cash flow forecasts for creditors payments.
• Analyse payment trends, seasonal fluctuations, and funding requirements.
• Collaborate with Treasury to optimise working capital and payment strategies (e.g., early payment discounts).
• Identify opportunities to improve payment terms and cashflow stability.
Automation:
• Implement RPA/BOTs, AI driven approvals, and invoice scanning technologies.
• Assess system gaps and lead digital transformation initiatives within AP.
• Drive adoption of e invoicing and paperless workflows.
• Train team and stakeholders on digital tools.
Financial Reporting:
• Produce accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual AP reports for management review.
• Monitor performance dashboards, KPI trends, and process exceptions.
• Provide deep dive analytics on spend, supplier trends, cost drivers, and inefficiencies.
Team Leadership:
• Build and manage a high performance AP team with a culture of accountability.
• Conduct coaching, skills development, and performance assessments.
• Implement workforce planning, succession planning, and skills matrix tracking.
• Manage team morale during periods of change or transformation.
Stakeholder Management:
• Foster strong relationships with internal stakeholders (Procurement, Treasury, Finance, Audit, Operations).
• Manage escalations, resolve queries promptly, and ensure clear communication.
• Conduct stakeholder feedback sessions and implement improvements
System Evaluation:
• Evaluate AP, ERP, and workflow management systems for optimisation.
• Drive upgrades, new system implementations, and integrations.
• Troubleshoot system issues and ensure high uptime.
Risk Management:
• Identify financial, operational, and fraud risks relating to AP workflows.
• Implement controls, segregation of duties, and monitoring tools.
• Perform root cause analysis on discrepancies or payment failures
Minimum Requirements (Qualifications & Experience)
• Grade 12 (Matric)
• BCom Degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field
• 5–8 years’ experience in a creditors/ accounts payable environment
• 2–3 years’ experience in a management role
• Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency
• Experience with accounting systems
Advantageous:
• Shared Services environment experience
• Automation / digitisation implementation experience
Required Knowledge:
• Accounting principles and financial management
• Accounts Payable processes and controls
• Financial legislation and compliance requirements
• Procurement-to-pay (P2P) processes
• Cash flow management and forecasting
• Supplier contract management
• Financial systems and ERP platforms
• Advanced Excel and financial data analysis
• Strong analytical and numerical skills
• Negotiation and supplier management
• Planning, organising, and problem-solving
• Financial reporting and reconciliation
• Process improvement and optimisation
• Strong communication (written and verbal)
Salary: R700 - R900 000pa CTC
Send cv to jennifer@toptalentps.co.za