Finance Manager – Accounts Payable

Finance Manager – Accounts Payable

Role Overview

As the Finance Manager – Accounts Payable, you will lead a distributed AP team responsible for

managing vendor payments, reimbursements, lease obligations, marketing disbursements, and

utility payments across all verticals and campuses. You will act as the primary escalation point for all

payment-related issues from across the organization and enforce strict adherence to financial

controls and SOPs. This role demands strong leadership, operational rigor, and proactive

communication with multiple internal and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Escalation Oversight

• Lead and manage the accounts payable operations across multiple verticals, functions, and

campuses.

• Act as the escalation authority for all payment-related concerns, ensuring timely resolution and

root-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 selection

protocols.

• 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 and

compliance.

• 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 and

documentation.

• 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 to

resolve 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 & Skills

Education:

Master's in commerce, Finance, or Accounting

CA Inter

Professional 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