Accounts Payable Senior Specialist

Job Purpose:

The individual will be a key member of the Smiths Detection Global finance team and will be a part of the finance shared services centre ( SSC ) in India. The role will join us at an exciting, dynamic moment in the function s maturity and Individual will be responsible for providing various financial supporting services (including accounts payable, accounting, reporting controls and other financial services) to different sections of the Global finance team.

The role will be hands on delivering in the Accounts Payable Area. The territories in scope will include Smiths Detection Entities, which may expand to other entities in the longer run. The SME for payments will work with the market finance teams, and the rest of the AP team, particularly the payments pillar AP associates, to deliver a smooth and accurate payment process across Smiths Detection.

In addition to individual payment processing responsibilities, for designated entities under the payments pillar, the Senior Specialist would be responsible for:

Financial Operations

1. Examine payment files accurately to verify accuracy, adherence to financial guidelines, and the timely processing of transactions.
2. Review reconciled balance sheet accounts regularly, identifying discrepancies, and removing any R-blocks to ensure accurate financial reporting.
3. Review and assess payment forecasts to ensure they align with the organization s financial goals and cash flow requirements.
4. Review cash forecasts and monitor payable variances to manage cash flow, identifying and addressing any significant differences.
5. Monitor the clearing of advance payments, ensuring they are correctly allocated and reconciled against outstanding balances.
6. Review bank reconciliations to confirm that the bank statements align with the organization s financial records, resolving any discrepancies.
7. Ensure that bank clearing processes are accurate and completed in a timely manner, addressing any issues that arise to maintain financial accuracy.
8. Review netting reconciliations to verify that the offsetting of payables and receivables is accurate and in compliance with financial policies.
9. Carefully review invoices to ensure that processing is accurate, payments are made on time, and all transactions comply with financial regulations.

Data Analysis and Reporting

1. Compile and analyse Key Performance Indicator (KPI) data to track progress, support strategic decisions, and highlight areas for improvement.
2. Publish daily / weekly reporting of emails and ensure that responses going on time.

Payment responsibility as an individual

• Responsible for payments to external and internal vendors in SAP as per payment run calendar for entities.
• Processing payments for employee expense claims on a periodical basis
• Prepare payment forecast related to vendor payments and compare actuals with forecast.
• Performing Intercompany reconciliations on a monthly basis as part of month closing
• Performing bank clearing activities and also prepare bank reconciliations (as required) on a timely basis.
• Operation of all controls in relation to general ledger, including balance sheet reconciliations related to AP area provide commentary as may be required.
• Perform new and complex tasks/postings arising within payments area with minimum instructions.
• Support other team members/peers and provide instructions/guidelines to processing team members in order to ensure that business deliverables are completed with efficiency.
• Managing supplier queries to ensure that they are resolved timely efficiently.
• Carrying out defined minimum controls around accounts payable process as warranted by divisional control framework.
• Providing support for internal and external audit
• Implementing divisional system enhancements/ improvements relevant to the accounts payable function.
• Any other ad hoc task per business requests.

Technical Knowledge

• Minimum 7 years accounts payable experience especially in payments area.
• Qualification B.com/ M.Com /MBA
• Experience from Shared Service Centre environment is highly advantageous.
• Should be a self - starter and able to perform all routine work without specific instructions.
• Able to communicate clearly in fluent spoken and written English.
• Strong SAP skills including use of purchase orders and SAP expense processing.
• Experience of payments processing in a multiple currency environment
• Strong Excel skills and Microsoft office programmes