Accounts Payable/ Accounts Receivable Officer

Our finance team has a range of varied responsibilities, from analysing financial information, advising departments to make good financial decisions, ensuring funds are available to meet objectives, and preparing financial statements to name but a few.

As an AP/AR Officer, your role will be to assist in the efficient and timely processing of sales and purchase invoices, payments to suppliers, and maintain records relating to the Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable functions. We operate a ‘No PO no payment’ policy, and so you’ll need to be used to working to set standards and procedures.

Please note this is a 17 month FTC opportunity. 

What will you be doing?

• Ensure that purchase invoices and payments to suppliers within the WMCA Group adhere strictly to established procedures and performance benchmarks. Verify that payments are only disbursed for received goods and services, duly authorised.
• Uphold compliance with Procure to Pay protocols, emphasising adherence to the 'No PO no payment' policy to prevent unauthorised expenditures.
• Ensure the meticulous processing of sales invoices and other receipts, aligning with predefined procedures and policies.
• Support the efficient and punctual processing of sales and purchase invoices, supplier payments, and record-keeping for Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable functions, maintaining fidelity to established standards.
• Collaborate in streamlining the processing and oversight of purchase invoices and supplier payments, ensuring alignment with procedural benchmarks.
• Assist in the timely processing of payments to various entities such as travel operators and adult education providers, in accordance with established protocols.
• Contribute to the efficient processing and oversight of sales invoices, including the accurate allocation of received payments within the ledger, aligning with established standards.
• Aid in the collection of overdue payments, adhering closely to established policies and procedures.
• Support regular reconciliation efforts to maintain the integrity of both sales and purchase ledgers.
• Facilitate the prompt resolution of supplier and customer inquiries to ensure smooth business operations.
• Contribute to the development and upkeep of comprehensive procedure notes for all critical processes, ensuring documentation remains current and accessible.

About you. 

• Experience of working within a finance environment.
• Good interpersonal skills to enable effective communication between customers and suppliers.
• Good working knowledge in AP/ AR. 
• Whilst not essential, having a good understanding of Microsoft Packages such as Excel would be beneficial.

How to apply. 

On clicking ‘apply for this job’, you will first be prompted to create an account. You will have the opportunity to upload a CV, which will be used to auto-populate your profile. Please note, we do not see your CV once you have applied. Our shortlisting decisions are based on what you tell us in your profile - and so it is important to format your profile so that it really stands out. Make sure to include your employment history and include any essential education and qualifications. You will be asked to provide a supporting statement. If you already have one that you have prepared earlier, you can simply copy and paste this into the application form. 

Applicants will need to evidence that they have the legal right to work in the UK.  If we make an offer of employment, we will need to check that you are eligible to work in the UK before you start work. 

Salary and benefits.

We advertise salary ranges for job roles, with new appointments typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, where higher skill levels or experience are applicable, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate. This approach allows for potential year-on-year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes a Local Government Pension Scheme, 28 days of paid annual leave, Cycle to Work Scheme, and discounted shopping with over 2,000 big-name retailers. For more details, please visit the benefits page on our careers site.

Location and working pattern – what you can expect. 

The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane. It is expected that you can split your time between the office and working remotely, with at least 1 day a week spent in the office. 

Creating an inclusive workplace.

West Midlands Combined Authority is dedicated to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace that reflects the communities of the West Midlands region. We recognise that certain groups, such as women and people of colour, may be less likely to apply for roles if they feel they do not meet all the requirements. However, we encourage individuals who are passionate about the role and want to make a difference to still apply. We value potential and encourage applicants to highlight their skills, including transferable ones, even if they don't fit the traditional "perfect candidate" mould.

We gladly consider part-time, flexible, and job share arrangements, so please don't let these factors deter you from applying. If your values align with ours and you are dedicated to working towards a future we can all be proud of, we would love to hear from you.

About us.

Our vision is to create a better connected, more prosperous, fairer, greener, and healthier region. We aim to achieve this vision by living our values, which include being a partnership organisation, valuing and respecting our people, fostering a can-do attitude, and encouraging innovation. WMCA holds diversity accreditations, such as "Leaders in Diversity," and has been recognized as one of the Inclusive Top 50 Employers and The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. We are also a Disability Confident Employer, committed to interviewing all applicants with disabilities who meet the essential role criteria. WMCA believes that building a team with varied backgrounds and experiences will benefit us as an employer and enhance our work.

Reasonable adjustments.

If you have an accessibility requirement, disability, or condition that means you might require changes to the recruitment process, please get in touch with our Recruitment Team (careers@wmca.org.uk). We are here to assist and accommodate your needs.

Thank you for considering joining our team at WMCA. We look forward to receiving your application and the opportunity to work together towards our shared goals.