Accounts Payable Executive

We are an organisation that exists to drive progress. That's the "red thread" that connects everyone at The Economist Group (TEG). Our businesses share a devotion to innovation, independence and rigour in their fields of expertise. We empower people to understand and tackle the critical challenges and changes facing the world. Our analytical rigour, global expertise and evidence-based insights enable individuals and organisations to make sense of these shifts and chart a course through them.

We deliver analysis and insights in many formats to subscribers and clients in 170 countries through our four businesses, The Economist, Economist Impact, Economist Intelligence and Economist Education, which uphold our global reputation for excellence and integrity. 

The Finance team's vision is to partner with the Group in driving profitable growth, through finance excellence. We support our businesses to make effective commercial and operational decisions; provide information and analysis to management and the Board to support strategic decisions; manage working capital to quickly convert profit into cash; develop and maintain a strong control environment to comply with legal, statutory and tax legislation in all territories we operate in. With over 100 Finance professionals operating from offices in London, New York, Hong Kong & Gurugram, you will be joining our global organisation at a pivotal moment, working with finance and business colleagues from around the globe to deliver the Finance vision.

• Be part of our Finance Transformation programme, reshaping our processes and the technology we use.
• Work closely with finance and business colleagues from around the globe.
• Ability to influence in an organisation of 1,600 people

We are looking for a detail-oriented and proactive Accounts Payable Executive to support our global finance operations. This role involves managing the end-to-end accounts payable process, including timely processing of supplier invoices, employee expense claims, vendor setup and maintenance and execution of payments across multiple regions.

The ideal candidate will bring experience in global accounts payable operations, strong vendor relationship management skills and a solid understanding of financial controls and compliance requirements in a global environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Accurately process supplier invoices, credit notes and employee expenses in the financial system (Peoplesoft)
• Set up and maintain vendor accounts, ensuring complete documentation and proper authorization.
• Verify and update bank details and payment instructions securely.
• Ensure timely execution of payment runs, including weekly, bi-weekly and ad-hoc payments.
• Respond to internal and external queries regarding invoices, payments, and vendor data.
• Collaborate with global finance teams to support regional operations and ensure consistency.
• Reconcile accounts payable balances and assist in month-end closing activities.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance process efficiency and accuracy.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, company policies and regulatory requirements.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in accounts payable or finance operations, preferably in a multinational environment.
• Experience working with multiple currencies and global payment processes is a plus.

Technical Skills:

• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and ERP systems (PeopleSoft experience is an advantage).
• Solid understanding of accounts payable processes, financial controls, and basic accounting principles including double-entry bookkeeping.

Tax & Compliance Knowledge:

• Familiarity with global tax documentation such as India TDS, GST, and US forms (W-9, W-8BEN) is preferred.

Interpersonal & Communication Skills:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across global teams and perform under pressure in a deadline-driven environment.

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Benefits
We offer excellent benefits including an incentive programme, generous annual and parental leave policies, volunteering days and well-being support throughout the year, as well as free access to all Economist content. Country specific benefits are also offered.

Our Values
Our values are a collective set of beliefs and behaviours that strengthen The Economist Group's purpose and demonstrate where we want to be as an organisation. They reflect on our mission to pursue progress for individuals, organisations and the world.

Independence
We are not bound to any party or interest and encourage exploration and free-thinking. We champion freedom, both within our organisation and around the world.

Integrity
We are bold in our efforts to uncover the truth and stand up for what we believe in. We inspire trust through our rigour, fact-checking and transparency.

Excellence
We aspire to the highest standards in all we do. We are ambitious and inquisitive in our pursuit of continuous progress and innovation.

Inclusivity
We value diversity in thought and background and encourage healthy debate with a breadth of perspectives. We treat our colleagues and customers fairly and respectfully.

Openness
We foster a collaborative and empathetic culture conducive to the interests, wit and initiative of our colleagues. New ideas are our lifeblood.

The Economist Group values diversity. We are committed to equal opportunities and creating an inclusive environment for all our colleagues and potential colleagues regardless of ethnic origin, national origin, gender, gender identity, race, colour, religious beliefs, disability, sexual orientation, age, marital status or any other status.