Finance Manager – Accounts Payable

Finance Manager – Accounts PayableRole OverviewAs the Finance Manager – Accounts Payable, you will lead a distributed AP team responsible formanaging vendor payments, reimbursements, lease obligations, marketing disbursements, andutility payments across all verticals and campuses. You will act as the primary escalation point for allpayment-related issues from across the organization and enforce strict adherence to financialcontrols and SOPs. This role demands strong leadership, operational rigor, and proactivecommunication with multiple internal and external stakeholders.Key ResponsibilitiesLeadership & Escalation Oversight- Lead and manage the accounts payable operations across multiple verticals, functions, andcampuses.- Act as the escalation authority for all payment-related concerns, ensuring timely resolution androot-cause correction.- Ensure consistent application of company-wide SOPs for purchase and payment processes.- Foster accountability in vertical finance teams through regular reviews and policy reinforcement.Vendor & Invoice Management- Oversee vendor onboarding, KYC compliance, and payment term management.- Ensure timely, accurate processing of all invoices with three-way matching (PO-GRN-Invoice).- Validate procurement quotes and support the purchasing function by enforcing vendor selectionprotocols.- Ensure invoices are approved only after all documentation and compliance checks are in place.Functional Payments Coverage- Handle payments for inventory and fixed assets, ensuring capitalization and proper tagging.- Manage marketing and advertising disbursements in line with approved campaign budgets.- Oversee faculty-related payouts including visiting lectures, guest faculty, and honorariums.- Manage lease obligations, including building rent disbursals with contract verification andcompliance.- Process employee reimbursements and petty cash with verification of backup.- Execute and control credit card and prepaid card usage and reconciliations.- Monitor and process all utility payments across geographies.Financial Controls & Compliance- Enforce financial discipline and internal control procedures across all payment workflows.- Validate that all transactions are in line with approval hierarchies and audit trails.- Ensure complete GST, TDS, and other statutory compliance across the vendor spectrum.- Prepare and review reconciliations, returns, and statutory filings.Cost Center Accounting & Documentation- Ensure accurate mapping of all expenses to the correct cost centers, departments, and campuses.- Track and analyze spend variances against budget.- Maintain audit-ready documentation and electronic records for all AP transactions.Audit Support & Process Governance- Support internal, statutory, and tax audits by preparing complete AP schedules anddocumentation.- Identify recurring issues and drive process enhancements to minimize errors and delays.- Conduct regular compliance checks and gap assessments.Systems & Reporting- Utilize ERP tools and workflow systems for invoice routing, approvals, and payments.- Generate MIS reports, vendor ageing summaries, and fund flow forecasts.- Automate manual steps wherever feasible for efficiency and transparency.Stakeholder Communication- Communicate effectively with department heads, functional teams, and external vendors toresolve queries and enforce policy compliance.- Build trust-based partnerships across verticals while maintaining strict process integrity.- Provide clarity and guidance on payment timelines, SOPs, and documentation expectations.Qualifications & SkillsEducation:Master's in commerce, Finance, or Accounting CA InterProfessional Experience:- 5+ years of AP experience, preferably in multi-unit, multi-state organizations- Experience managing payment escalations and driving control adherence- Strong knowledge of GST, TDS, and compliance documentation- Prior ERP experience (Tally, SAP, Zoho Books, or similar)Skills & Attributes:- Strong command over financial controls and risk assessment- Excellent written and verbal communication skills- Assertive, proactive, and solution-oriented mindset- Meticulous attention to detail and documentation discipline- Proven ability to manage high-volume operations across diverse teams