Accounts Payable Assistant

Working arrangement:
Hybrid - up to two days working from home, subject to business needs

Owen Reed is looking for an experienced, meticulous and proactive Accounts Payable Assistant to join a highly regarded global law firm in London.

Working as part of the London Accounts Payable team, you will support the day-to-day financial operations of the firm's London, Brussels, Dubai and Tokyo offices. This is a varied and responsible position covering the full range of accounts payable activities, alongside providing valuable support for finance projects and initiatives.

The successful candidate will ensure that transactions are processed accurately and promptly while maintaining compliance with the SRA Accounts Rules, VAT and anti-money laundering regulations, as well as the firm's internal financial controls and policies.

This role would suit a detail-focused and collaborative accounts payable professional who takes pride in delivering an exceptional service and is confident contributing ideas and improvements.

• Work closely with the Accounts Payable Lead, international office managers and partners to deliver day-to-day accounts payable requirements across the supported offices.
• Liaise with directors and key stakeholders to ensure invoices are approved and processed promptly.
• Accurately input and post office account transactions in accordance with internal service-level agreements and the SRA Accounts Rules 2019.
• Prepare and process electronic payments in line with statutory requirements, internal controls and agreed service levels.
• Authorise office account payments in accordance with current procedures.
• Process office account payments, expenses, credit notes, direct debits and ad hoc supplier payments.
• Reconcile, review and upload electronic supplier invoices.
• Reconcile and process professional disbursements through the relevant electronic platform.
• Proactively reconcile supplier statements and follow up with suppliers to ensure charges are posted promptly.
• Investigate and resolve supplier queries, aged creditor balances and invoice discrepancies.
• Assist with outstanding bank reconciliation items and the reconciliation of matter and general ledgers.
• Maintain supplier master records and carry out verification checks for new suppliers and changes to bank details.
• Monitor invoice approval workflows and follow up with fee earners, partners and budget holders.
• Monitor compliance with the SRA Accounts Rules through exception-control reporting, ensuring any breaches are promptly reported and remedied.
• Assist with internal and external audits, including the SRA Accounts Rules audit.
• Support month-end and year-end accounts payable processes, including reconciliations, reporting, accruals and audit requirements.
• Support managers with office account projects and initiatives while helping to maintain the highest standards of service and accuracy.

• Previous accounts payable experience, including high-volume processing, coding, posting, obtaining approval and managing suppliers.
• Two to four years' experience within legal finance at a global law firm would be desirable.
• Demonstrable understanding of the SRA Accounts Rules, VAT and anti-money laundering regulations.
• Experience using Aderant Expert or Elite would be advantageous.
• Highly accurate, organised and attentive to detail.
• A confident and professional communicator who can build effective relationships with colleagues at all levels, clients and suppliers.
• Proactive, dependable and comfortable working under pressure to meet strict deadlines.
• A questioning mindset, sound judgement and the confidence to use your initiative.
• Adaptable, personable and committed to working collaboratively as part of a high-performing team.