Accounts payable manager recruitment agency

 

Hire a skilled accounts payable manager in Sydney today

Struggling to locate a skilled Accounts Payable Manager who can lead your payables function with zero late-payment pain?

Richard Lloyd connects Sydney businesses with proven AP leaders.

Note for job seekers: chasing an Accounts Payable Manager role? Grab our AP Manager job description & career guide plus a free résumé template

 

Why hire an Accounts Payable Manager?

Get it wrong and you invite late-fee penalties, duplicate payments, or fraud risk. Get it right and you:

• Unlock early-payment discounts
• Gain real-time visibility over liabilities
• Free senior finance staff for strategic work

This role typically reports to the Finance Manager or, in larger organisations, to the Shared Services Manager.​

 

Key responsibilities

Area                                 What a high performer delivers

Team leadership             Guides & mentors AP Officers; steps in to process when volumes peak

Invoice processing         End-to-end accuracy: receipt → match → code → approve → pay 

Purchase orders             Allocates, reconciles & resolves discrepancies early

Escalations                     Handles complex vendor queries swiftly, preserving goodwill

Expense claims              Approves staff reimbursements in line with policy

Vendor payments           Plans weekly/monthly runs; negotiates terms

Reconciliations              Supplier statements + company cards balanced like clockwork

Reporting                        Delivers aged payables, DPO and cash-flow insights each month

Process improvement   Drives automation, lifts accuracy, cuts processing cost

Discover top Accounts Payable Manager Candidates today

 

Essential skills and attributes

To ensure success in this role, we recommend prioritising candidates with:

1. Extensive accounts payable experience

Deep knowledge of end-to-end AP processes across a variety of business structures.

2. ERP systems proficiency

Hands-on experience with platforms such as SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar.

3. Accounting knowledge

Understanding of ledger coding, reconciliations, and compliance regulations.

4. Leadership and team development

Proven ability to manage, coach, and grow a high-performing team.

5. Organisational agility

Strong prioritisation and time management, particularly in high-volume environments.

6. Communication skills

Clear verbal and written communication with internal teams and external partners.

7. Project management

Capability to lead process improvement projects or implement new systems.

8. Relationship-building

A track record of maintaining strong relationships with vendors and internal stakeholders.

9. Accuracy and attention to detail

Confidence in maintaining high standards across reporting, data entry, and compliance.

10. Technical proficiency

Strong Excel skills and familiarity with automated AP systems and reporting tools.

 

Accounts Payable Manager salary guide

$110 k – $140 k + Super (2025 midpoint)

Offer top-quartile pay if you need:

• 50 k invoices p.a.
• ERP implementation experience
• Multi-entity or global AP exposure

Competitive packages also improve retention in a candidate-short Sydney market.

 

Interview questions to identify high-performing accounts payable managers

Use these targeted prompts to evaluate technical expertise, problem-solving ability and leadership style:

1. Walk me through your month-end payables close. What KPIs do you track?
2. Tell us about a time you detected and resolved a duplicate or fraudulent invoice. What controls failed, and how did you fix them?
3. How have you leveraged automation (e.g. OCR, RPA) to reduce processing time?
4. Describe a vendor dispute you resolved while maintaining the relationship.
5. How do you coach under-performing team members? Provide an example.
6. We close at 3 pm every Friday. How would you restructure the payment timetable to protect that deadline?

(Tip: include a brief ledger-matching test to confirm attention to detail.)

 

Cultural fit and onboarding

• Values-match first: even a technical gun fails if they clash with culture.
• 90-day plan: day-one KPIs; stakeholder meet-and-greets; system access sorted.
• Early wins: quick automation tweaks or aged-payables clean-ups build trust.
• Regular check-ins: fortnightly for first quarter → monthly thereafter.

Also hiring transaction roles? Read our FP&A-manager guide or Sydney accounting-agency overview.

 

Career progression pathway

• Shared Services Manager (AP + AR + Payroll)
• Finance Manager / Financial Controller
• Systems Accountant (specialising in P2P automation)

Highlighting growth looks compelling to ambitious candidates.

 

Three-way-match automation and e-invoicing compliance

Top AP Managers cut processing costs 45 % by automating three-way matching (PO, receipt, invoice) and rolling out Peppol-ready e-invoicing, freeing staff for supplier-relationship work.

 

Why choose Richard Lloyd for your recruitment needs

We don’t just fill jobs -  we build teams that drive business success.

Deep market expertise

We know Sydney’s accounting talent landscape inside-out. Our specialisation means faster matches and better outcomes.

Pre-vetted candidate network

Our pool includes immediately available, proven candidates with the skills your business needs.

Tailored service

We get to know your business, your team dynamics, and the specific pressures you’re facing.

Time and cost savings

Let us handle sourcing, screening, and salary negotiation so you can focus on what matters.

 

Ready to find your ideal accounts payable manager?

Don't let the recruitment process drain your resources. Contact Richard Lloyd today and let us connect you with exceptional talent that meets your exact needs.

📞Call us: (02) 8324 5640  

📧 Email: enquiries@richardlloyd.com.au

Or submit your vacancy → we’ll respond the same day.

 

Frequently asked questions

What does an Accounts Payable Manager do?

An AP Manager is responsible for managing all the company's payments to suppliers. If the company receives a significant volume of supplier invoices, they would manage a team of Accounts Payable Officers to ensure payments are managed and recorded correctly.​

What skills do you need to be an Accounts Payable Manager?

Skills required include a background in full-function accounts payable processing, strong attention to detail, staff management and leadership experience. Proficiency with complex accounting systems is also essential.​

What is the career path for an AP Manager?

An Accounts Payable Manager can pursue several career paths. If you excel at managing people, you can advance to a Shared Services Manager role.

Strong system skills can lead to systems-accounting positions. Specialisation in accounting may involve pursuing further qualifications and roles in financial accounting.​

 

Internal links

• Job-seeker guide: Accounts Payable Manager job description & career path
• Service: Permanent recruitment services