Accounts Payable Manager (VA657)

Carey Olsen Group; Southampton; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading legal services provider is seeking an experienced Accounts Payable Manager to oversee and manage the global Accounts Payable function in our Southampton office. You will lead a team, ensure compliance with local and international tax regulations, and improve processes. Ideal candidates have over 5 years of experience in a similar role, particularly within a law firm, with robust leadership and analytical skills. Excellent communication across cultures and time zones is essential.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of Accounts Payable experience in a law firm.
• At least 2 years in a management or supervisory role.
• Proven ability to design and implement robust internal controls.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily Accounts Payable operations ensuring timely processing.
• Manage compliance with tax regulations.
• Lead and develop the Accounts Payable team.

Skills

Accounts Payable Management

Team Leadership

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Process Improvement

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Office Suite

3E and Cosine

Job description

Experience: Previous experience in a similar role within a legal or professional services environment would be advantageous

We are seeking an experienced Accounts Payable Manager to join our Southampton or London office.

Reporting to the Group Finance Director, you will be responsible forthe end-to-end management, control, and efficiency of the firm’s global Accounts Payable function.

• Oversee daily Accounts Payable operations across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring timely and accurate processing of invoices, expenses, and payment runs.
• Manage the firmwide expense reporting system and ensure compliance with policies and tax regulations.
• Act as the escalation point for internal and external queries.
• Implement and enforce robust internal controls to safeguard assets and mitigate fraud risk, especially for high-value international payments.
• Ensure compliance with local and international tax requirements (e.g., VAT, GST, withholding tax).
• Maintain accurate vendor and employee data across all entities.
• Liaise with auditors, providing clear documentation and process explanations.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the AP team, setting goals and fostering a culture of accountability and excellence.
• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, drive automation, and optimize ERP functionality.
• Collaborate with Finance Systems to maintain correct system configuration and data integrity.

Professional Qualifications / Skills / Experience

• 5+ years of AccountsPayable experience in a law firm with at least 2 years in a management/supervisoryrole.
• Proven experience managingAccounts Payable in a multi-entity multicurrency environment.
• Demonstrated experiencedesigning, implementing and enforcing robust internal controls and processimprovements.
• Advanced proficiency withmajor law firm practice management systems (specific knowledge of 3E and Cosineis highly desirable) and Microsoft Excel.
• Proficient in the use ofMicrosoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Visio, PowerPoint, Teams and Outlook)
• Some system changemanagement experience is desirable.
• Knowledge of offshore financialservice regulations or operational experience in one of the firm’s keyjurisdictions

Personal characteristics required

• Ability to lead a team, delegate effective and developtalent
• Exceptional precision and accuracy in financial processingand data review
• Strong analytical skills to quickly resolve complex payment,vendor, and compliance discrepancies
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to liaisewith senior stakeholders, legal professionals, and external vendors across different culturesand time zones
• Ability to work under pressure and flexibly when required

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