Accounts Payable Manager (VA657)

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 for the end-to-end management, control, and efficiency of the firm’s global Accounts Payable function.

​Principal duties

• 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.

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Professional Qualifications / Skills / Experience

• ​5+ years of Accounts Payable experience in a law firm with at least 2 years in a management/supervisory role.
• Proven experience managing Accounts Payable in a multi-entity multicurrency environment.
• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing and enforcing robust internal controls and process improvements.
• Advanced proficiency with major law firm practice management systems (specific knowledge of 3E and Cosine is highly desirable) and Microsoft Excel.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Visio, PowerPoint, Teams and Outlook)
• Some system change management experience is desirable.
• Knowledge of offshore financial service regulations or operational experience in one of the firm’s key jurisdictions

Personal characteristics required

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

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