Interim Accounts Payable Assistant | Luxury Retail Scale-Up | London/Hybrid

Interim Accounts Payable Assistant | Luxury Retail Scale-Up | London/Hybrid

The Client

Harmonic are delighted to be partnering with a globally recognised retail brand known for its distinctive products and strong international presence. With operations spanning the UK, US and Europe, the business is continuing to invest in its finance function and is now seeking an experienced Interim Senior Accounts Payable Assistant to support the team during a busy period. This is a 6-month contract with the opportunity to make a tangible impact within a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

The Role

Reporting into the Accounts Payable Manager, you will play a key role within the purchase-to-pay function, ensuring supplier invoices and payments are processed accurately and efficiently. Alongside core transactional responsibilities, you will support month-end processes, strengthen internal controls and contribute to ongoing improvements within the AP function. This position requires someone confident operating in a high-volume environment who can build strong relationships with both internal stakeholders and external suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Owning the processing of non-PO supplier invoices, ensuring accurate coding and timely posting to the ledger.
• Monitoring outstanding approvals and liaising with budget holders to avoid payment delays.
• Preparing and managing regular payment runs for non-stock suppliers.
• Maintaining supplier onboarding processes, ensuring compliance with internal procedures.
• Posting purchase ledger transactions including invoices, payments and allocations within the accounting system.
• Managing direct debit payments and overseeing company credit card administration.
• Responding to a high volume of supplier and internal queries via shared inbox, resolving issues promptly.
• Supporting month-end activities including accruals, prepayments and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Reviewing supplier statements and performing reconciliations to resolve discrepancies.
• Assisting with audit preparation and provision of supporting documentation.
• Contributing to process enhancements, strengthening controls and segregation of duties within AP.
• Supporting ad hoc reporting and finance projects as required.

Essential Experience

• 4–5 years’ experience within an Accounts Payable or Purchase Ledger role.
• Strong understanding of the end-to-end purchase-to-pay process.
• Experience working in a high-volume, fast-moving environment.
• Proficient in Excel (including lookups and conditional formulas) and confident handling large data sets.
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
• Comfortable communicating across departments and with external suppliers.
• Self-motivated with the ability to prioritise workload effectively.

Bonus Experience

• Exposure to SAP Business One or similar ERP systems.
• Experience supporting audit processes or contributing to finance transformation initiatives.

Day Rate: £175-£225 per day

Location: West London (Hybrid)

Contract Length: 6 Months

Start Date: ASAP

Please feel free to get in touch with Ewan Fenley for more information.

Due to the high volume of applications, we are receiving, if you have not heard back from us, please assume your application was unfortunately unsuccessful on this occasion.

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At Harmonic, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace. We actively welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and assure you that every candidate will be thoughtfully considered for the roles we represent, without regard to race, religion, gender expression, disability, or sexual orientation.