Payables Lead and GL Specialist

SUMMARY:
La Mercy - A leading global retail marketing company seeks a dedicated and skilled Payables Lead to join their Finance Department to manage Accounts Payable and support key financial and month-end activities.

The role oversees invoices, payments, GL reconciliations, and process improvements while supervising a small team, ensuring compliance, and maintaining supplier relationships.

POSITION INFO:
Responsibilities:
Team Management:

• Guide and support a small team of creditors clerks.
• Provide on-the-job training and mentorship to junior staff.
• Foster a collaborative and supportive work environment.
• Delegate tasks effectively and ensure workload is balanced within the team.

• Oversee the entire AP process, from invoice receipt to payment execution.
• Review and process non-PO invoices, ensuring proper authorization and adherence to company policies.
• Ensure timely processing of invoices and payments to avoid late fees, maintain good supplier relationships, and effectively manage the payment inbox to address payment requests promptly.
• Match invoices to purchase orders and supporting documentation to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Investigate and resolve invoice discrepancies, escalating complex issues to the procurement team or relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and correctly dimensioned General Ledger (GL) allocations for all AP transactions.
• Reconcile supplier statements monthly and resolve any discrepancies promptly.
• Review and sign off on the validity and accuracy of reconciliations.
• Prepare and load creditor payments for banking, ensuring proper authorization and approvals.

• Complete credit applications and liaise with the legal department for the finalisation of creditor onboarding, working closely with the procurement team.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, in collaboration with procurement.
• Conduct regular reviews of suppliers, including terms, rebates, and structure, in conjunction with the procurement team.
• Proactively address and resolve complex or aged creditor queries.

• Drive effective working capital management in collaboration with the procurement team by maximising rebates, analysing purchasing behaviour for consolidations and effective procurement, and driving the conversion of cash suppliers to credit.
• Prepare and process supplier rebates.
• Monitor and analyse key AP metrics, such as Creditor Age Analysis, GRNI, and Creditor Stats.

• Collaborate closely with the procurement team to ensure seamless and efficient procure-to-pay processes.
• Participate in the development and implementation of new procurement policies and procedures.
• Work closely with procurement to onboard new vendors, ensuring accurate vendor master data and compliance with procurement contracts.
• Align payment terms with procurement contracts.
• Collaborate with procurement on the timely resolution of invoice discrepancies and the implementation of preventative measures.

• Utilise the current procurement and finance systems effectively to manage vendor information, track purchase orders, and ensure accurate invoice processing.
• Ensure accurate and timely data flow between the procurement system, RPA, and the finance system.
• Identify opportunities to optimise the use of the procurement system to improve AP processes and efficiency.

• Ensure month-end accruals are accurately compiled, and the relevant schedules are updated.
• Assist with the preparation of Group recharge schedules and invoices, including cell phone, IT, and travel recharges.
• Month-end review of expenses against Budget/Forecast/Prior Months.
• Assist with other month-end reviews and queries as may be required.
• Ensure month-end processing deadlines are met.
• Reconciliation and sign-off for key balance sheet accounts
• Prepare and post complex, non-standard journals (e.g.prepayments, reclasses) as part of the month-end process.

• Ensure compliance with all relevant accounting standards, tax regulations, and internal controls.
• Assist in the preparation and submission of audit queries and files.
• Prepare and submit relevant reports, including BBBEE reports and supplier analysis.
• Collate and drive the collection of Supplier BBBEE certificates.
• Formulate policies and procedures to ensure timely payment to creditors.
• Stay up-to-date on changes in accounting regulations and their impact on AP functions.
• Compile training schedules for the Group for ATR/WSP and BBBEE purposes.
• Assist HR and other departments on compliance, skills, equity, and other audits.

• Analyse existing AP processes and identify areas for improvement and automation.
• Implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and controls.
• Drive automation and the application of best practices within the team.
• Proactively identify and address challenges within the department, contributing to solutions and process improvements. This includes undertaking ad hoc tasks and projects as assigned or required, demonstrating flexibility and a strong commitment to supporting the overall success of the finance and procurement functions.

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (advantageous).
• Completed bookkeeping qualification.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a similar role.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong understanding of accounting principles and practices related to Accounts Payable.
• Proficiency in accounting software (e.g., Sage X3), Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to perform under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Strong work ethic and commitment to ethical conduct.