Happy Days Nurseries & Pre-Schools
Accounts Payable Manager
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Accounts Payable Manager
Location: Swindon
Salary: circa £45,000
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
About Happy Days
Happy Days is growing, and we're opening a second support hub in Swindon. This new location will help us support our nurseries and early years teams as we continue to expand.
We're looking for an experienced Accounts Payable Manager to lead our AP function across a growing multi-site nursery group.
The Role
Managing significant volumes and value of supplier payments, you'll be responsible for the end-to-end purchase-to-pay process, ensuring invoices are processed accurately, suppliers are paid on time, and robust financial controls are maintained.
Leading a team of three, you'll combine operational excellence with people leadership, supplier management and continuous improvement, helping to create an efficient, scalable and well-controlled AP function that supports our growing business.
What You'll Be Doing
- Leading and developing the Accounts Payable team, ensuring high standards of accuracy, service, performance and compliance.
- Managing the end-to-end purchase-to-pay process, including invoice approvals, payment runs, supplier reconciliations and month-end activities.
- Overseeing supplier payments, cash flow schedules and AP reporting, ensuring accurate records and effective working capital management.
- Maintaining robust financial controls, policies and procedures to safeguard the business and support audit requirements.
- Building strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders, resolving escalations, improving collaboration and supporting operational efficiency.
- Driving continuous improvement by streamlining processes, strengthening controls and supporting the integration of new sites and systems as the business grows.
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Leading and Supporting Others
You'll lead, coach and support a team of three AP clerks.
You'll:
- Set clear expectations and support your team to do their best work.
- Manage workloads and make sure deadlines are met.
- Coach and develop team members.
- Hold regular one-to-one meetings and performance reviews.
- Help the team adapt to new processes and systems.
- Build a positive, supportive and collaborative team culture.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone with strong commercial awareness, leadership skills and a passion for improving the way things work.
You'll:
- Be qualified to AAT Level 4 or equivalent or AP/accounting qualification, with a strong understanding of AP processes, three-way matching and supplier management.
- Have experience in leading and managing teams, establishing AP processes and managing multi-site or multi-entity AP operations.
- Have a strong knowledge of purchase-to-pay processes, supplier management and financial controls.
- Have excellent organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills, along with strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Be proficient with accounting software and AP modules, AP workflow systems and banking/payment platforms along with strong Excel skills, and the ability to build payment schedules and analysis.
It Would Be Great If You Also Have
Experience of AP process improvement, automation or system implementation and/or supporting acquisitions, integrations or high-growth businesses.
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What We Offer
We're proud to offer a supportive and collaborative working environment where people can develop and thrive.
Flexible Working
Once our new hub is established (typically after around six months), you'll be able to work in a hybrid way, with around three days in the office and two days from home.
Learning and Development
- Ongoing professional development.
- Support with accounting CPD requirements.
- Opportunities to grow your career.
Health and Wellbeing
- Mental health and wellbeing support.
- Generous annual leave from day one.
Financial Benefits
- People's Pension.
- Life assurance.
Ready to Apply?
If you're passionate about compliance, funding administration and delivering excellent support to operational teams, we'd love to hear from you. Join us and help ensure more families can access high-quality early years education and care.
If you're an experienced Accounts Payable leader looking for an opportunity to make a real impact in a growing organisation, we'd love to hear from you.
Closing Date: 21st August
Interview Dates:
- First Stage: 24th August to 28th August
- Second Stage: 31st August to 4th September
Inclusion and Safeguarding
Happy Days is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
Happy Days Nurseries is committed to safeguarding children. All offers of employment are subject to appropriate pre-employment checks, including verification of your right to work in the UK.
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