Accounts Payable Assistant

Location: Acutis Centre, Spring Gardens Road, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST3 2QN

Salary: £25,185 - £27,254 FTE

Contract Type: Permanent, 37 Hours per week, Term Time plus 3 Weeks, Part time hours will be considered.

We are seeking a detail oriented and proactive Accounts Payable Assistant to join our growing Finance Shared Services team.

You will manage the end-to-end accounts payable process, ensuring all supplier payments are processed accurately and on schedule while upholding high standards of data integrity.

Reporting to the Accounts Payable Manager, support to the Trust’s accounts payable function, ensuring accurate and timely processing of supplier invoices, expenses and payments across all academies and central teams.

This role plays a key part in maintaining strong financial controls, high quality data and excellent customer service, while supporting the ongoing development of our shared services model and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Accounts payable operations and supplier support:

• Process supplier invoices including coding, PO matching and approvals in line with Trust policies and payment terms.

• Support weekly and monthly payment runs and resolve invoice discrepancies.

• Respond promptly to supplier and academy queries and assist with correct purchasing and invoice submission

• Controls, compliance and data quality:

• Maintain accurate supplier records and clear audit trails within finance systems.

• Follow fraud prevention controls, including verification of changes to supplier bank details.

• Assist with supplier statement reconciliations, month-end activities and internal and external audits.

• Shared Services and Continuous Improvement:

• Use finance systems effectively to ensure accurate and timely processing of transactions.

• Support academies onboarding into shared services processes and the implementation of new systems or procedures.

• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy and customer experience.

About You

You will ideally have recent experience in an accounts payable or transactional finance role, with confidence handling high volumes of invoices in a deadline-driven environment. You will be collaborative and service-focused, with strong attention to detail and a willingness to learn and adapt.

To thrive in this role, you should demonstrate:

• Integrity & Professionalism: Professionalism and integrity in all aspects of your work.

• Technical Proficiency: Experience with an accounts payable function and ability to use finance systems effectively to ensure accurate and timely processing.

• Adaptability: A willingness to learn, adapt to new systems, and support academies through change.

• Communication Skills: Strong communication skills with the ability to explain financial information to non-finance stakeholders.

Why Join Us?

This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your career within a large, forward-thinking Trust. You will benefit from a collaborative team environment, professional development opportunities, and the knowledge that your work supports the education of the next generation.

"We are looking for someone who takes ownership, values detail, and wants to be part of a team that strives for continuous improvement."

Safeguarding Commitment
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, and pre-employment medical clearance. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), online searches will also be carried out for shortlisted candidates. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

If you are an internal applicant, it is essential that you discuss this with your line manager before submitting an application.

Closing date: Friday 15th May 2026, 9am

Interviews: W/C 18th May 2026