Assistant Manager Accounts Payable

Job Summary - We seek an experienced, results-driven Accounts Payable Manager to oversee the company's accounts payable function and ensure accurate, timely, and efficient processing of invoices and vendor payments. This role will manage the AP team, maintain strong vendor relationships, ensure compliance with accounting policies and applicable regulations, and drive continuous improvement in AP processes.

Key Responsibilities -

Accounts Payable Operations -

• Manage the end-to-end accounts payable process, including invoice receipt, validation, coding, approval, and payment processing.
• Oversee accurate and timely processing of invoices, employee expenses, credit notes, and other payable transactions.
• Ensure proper three-way matching of purchase orders, goods receipts, and invoices where applicable.
• Monitor AP aging, payment schedules, and outstanding liabilities.
• Review and approve payment proposals in accordance with company policies and authorization limits.
• Ensure accurate accounting and reconciliation of vendor accounts.
• Resolve complex invoice, payment, and vendor-related issues promptly.

Team Management -

• Lead, supervise, and develop the accounts payable team.
• Allocate workloads and establish priorities to ensure timely completion of AP activities.
• Monitor team performance and establish appropriate KPIs and service-level targets.
• Provide coaching, training, and performance feedback to team members.
• Promote a culture of accuracy, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Vendor & Stakeholder Management -

• Maintain strong relationships with vendors and ensure timely resolution of payment and invoice queries.
• Coordinate with Procurement, Finance, Operations, and other internal departments to resolve discrepancies.
• Establish and maintain effective communication with key suppliers and service providers.
• Support vendor onboarding, master-data maintenance, and periodic vendor reviews.

Reconciliation & Financial Close -

• Oversee vendor statement reconciliations and ensure discrepancies are investigated and resolved. Ensure accurate AP sub-ledger and general ledger reconciliation.
• Review and approve month-end AP accruals, provisions, and other required journal entries. Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end financial closing activities.
• Monitor and ensure accurate cut-off of expenses and liabilities.

Compliance & Controls -

• Ensure compliance with company accounting policies, internal controls, and applicable statutory requirements.
• Oversee appropriate documentation and approval of invoices and payments.
• Ensure compliance with applicable tax requirements, including GST, TDS, and withholding taxes where relevant.
• Support internal and external audits by providing required documentation and explanations. Identify control weaknesses and implement corrective actions to mitigate financial and operational risks.

Reporting & Process Improvement -

• Prepare and present AP aging, payment status, vendor reconciliation, and other management reports.
• Analyze AP metrics and identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and implement initiatives to improve invoice processing efficiency and reduce errors. Drive automation and optimization of AP workflows and systems.
• Establish and monitor KPIs such as invoice processing time, payment accuracy, exception rates, and overdue invoices.
• Maintain appropriate process documentation and standard operating procedures.

Qualifications -

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, or a related field.
• Professional accounting qualification such as CA, CMA or equivalent is preferred.
• 7–10 years of relevant experience in Accounts Payable, Procure-to-Pay, or Finance Operations, including management experience.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, AP processes, reconciliations, and financial controls.
• Experience managing and developing an accounts payable team.
• Hands-on experience with ERP/accounting systems such as SAP, or similar platforms.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial reporting tools.
• Strong understanding of GST, TDS, withholding tax, and other applicable statutory requirements, where relevant.

Key Skills -

Accounts Payable & Procure-to-Pay

Team Leadership & People Management

Vendor Management

Invoice Processing & 3-Way Matching

Vendor Reconciliation

Financial Controls & Compliance

Advanced Excel & Reporting

Process Improvement & Automation

Problem Solving & Analytical Skills

Stakeholder Management

Invoice processing accuracy and turnaround time.

Reduction in invoice exceptions and discrepancies.

Timely completion of month-end closing activities.

Compliance with internal controls and statutory requirements.