Accounts Payable Manager

Overview

Are you an experienced finance professional with a passion for leadership, transformation, and delivering high-quality services? We’re looking for an Accounts Payable Manager to lead a large, dynamic team within our Finance Services function on a six-month secondment.

This is a key role where you’ll drive performance, champion continuous improvement, and shape how Accounts Payable services are delivered across a complex organisation. You’ll have the opportunity to influence change, implement smarter processes, and make a real impact on service efficiency and customer experience.

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally. 

About the role

As Accounts Payable Manager, you’ll be responsible for leading and developing a high-performing team, ensuring the efficient delivery of a robust and customer-focused Accounts Payable service.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading, motivating and developing a large team to deliver an efficient, high-quality Accounts Payable function
• Ensuring strong financial controls, accuracy, and timely processing of financial transactions
• Driving continuous improvement through automation, system enhancements, and streamlined processes
• Developing and maintaining effective processes and procedures to support service delivery
• Building strong relationships with internal stakeholders, customers, and suppliers
• Overseeing audits, implementing recommendations, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations
• Leading on system upgrades, testing, and process improvements
• Managing recruitment, performance, and development within the team

At Grade 8 level, you will also:

• Manage budgets, monitor financial performance, and deliver savings targets
• Contribute to the strategic direction of finance systems and services
• Manage contracts and supplier relationships

Any-Desk:

As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team requirements.

About you

We’re looking for a confident and forward-thinking leader who can inspire teams, drive change, and deliver results.

You will bring:

• Significant experience managing large teams within a finance or accounts payable environment
• Strong technical knowledge of financial processes, controls, and systems
• Proven experience leading transformation, improving efficiency, and delivering service improvements
• Excellent leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop others
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across the organisation
• Experience of working with financial systems, automation tools, and ERP platforms
• The ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to tight deadlines

Depending on your level, you may also have:

• Experience managing budgets, contracts, and financial performance
• A recognised qualification such as AAT (Grade 7) or degree-level qualification/equivalent experience (Grade 8)

Above all, you’ll be someone who takes pride in delivering high-quality services, is ambitious in driving improvements, works collaboratively, and demonstrates professionalism and accountability in everything you do.

Please refer to the job summary attached for full details about the role.

 

Other information

This is a six-month secondment opportunity.

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.

 

Our values

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/