AP Senior Accountant

Role Purpose:The Senior Accounts Payable Processor is a subject-matter expert and operational anchor within the Egypt GBS Payables team. Beyond executing complex transactions, this role owns the quality of AP output across multiple divisions — reviewing balances, leading period-end close activities, driving variance analysis, and coaching junior associates. This person is the go-to for anything that requires judgement, not just process execution. As the Egypt Shared Services centre grows into a fully integrated GBS model, this role will play a visible part in embedding standards, resolving escalations, and supporting knowledge transfer from the broader Shared Services network.Key Responsibilities: AP Balance Review & Ledger OwnershipOwn the completeness and accuracy of the AP sub-ledger across assigned divisions — not just process invoices but actively review and manage the ledgerPerform and review AP balance reconciliations; investigate and clear aged, stale, or unexplained items within defined timelinesIdentify risks in the AP ledger (unapplied credits, duplicate payments, mispostings) and drive resolution proactivelyPresent AP balance position to the Team Lead / Finance Manager in weekly review meetingsGS (Goods & Services) Schedule SupportSupport the preparation and review of GS schedules used for accruals, cut-off, and period-end reportingEnsure GS schedules accurately reflect receipt-confirmed but uninvoiced liabilities and are reconciled to the AP ledgerCoordinate with procurement and operations teams to confirm receipt status and resolve discrepancies in a timely mannerMaintain schedule templates and support their standardisation across divisionsMulti-Division Variance AnalysisPerform AP variance analysis across business divisions — explaining movement in AP balances, days payable outstanding (DPO), and payment performance versus prior period and budgetIdentify and explain significant variances between sub-ledger and GL; escalate items requiring journal adjustmentsPrepare variance commentary suitable for Finance Manager review and, where required, for divisional business partnersTrack and trend key AP metrics (aging profile, invoice processing cycle time, exception rates) to highlight operational risksMonth-End & Period CloseLead the AP month-end close checklist for assigned entities — accruals, GR/IR clearing, cut-off reviews, and reconciliationsPost and review AP-related journal entries; ensure period-end entries are accurate, complete, and properly supportedCoordinate close timelines with the wider GBS team (AR, GL, Reporting) to meet group deadlinesReview junior associate close deliverables before submissionTeam Support & Quality OversightReview AP transactions processed by associates for accuracy, compliance, and completeness — provide structured feedbackAct as first-level escalation for complex vendor disputes, coding queries, and payment exceptionsSupport onboarding and practical training of new AP team membersDocument and maintain AP process guides and SOPs relevant to the Egypt GBS centreStakeholder & Vendor ManagementManage relationships with key vendors and internal business unit finance contacts across assigned divisionsResolve escalated vendor queries professionally and within SLA, with clear documentationLiaise with procurement, treasury, and tax teams on AP-related matters (payment terms, withholding tax, intercompany)Controls & ComplianceEnsure compliance with DoA, payment policies, and applicable local tax regulations (VAT, withholding tax)Identify and flag control gaps or process risks; propose practical process improvementsSupport internal and external audit requirements — documentation, walkthroughs, and audit queriesAssist in the implementation of process improvements and system enhancements as the GBS model maturesRequired Qualifications:4–7 years of progressive AP or broader finance experience, with a minimum of 2–3 years in a Shared Services or GBS environmentBachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; professional accounting qualification (CMA, CPA, ACCA, or equivalent) is preferred or actively in progressDemonstrated experience owning AP reconciliations, period-end close, and balance reviews — not just transactional processingExperience supporting or preparing GS/accrual schedules and variance analysisStrong SAP S/4HANA experience is required — must be comfortable running reports, querying ledgers, and using core AP transaction codes; hands-on experience with OpenText VIM and/or Invoice Validation is highly preferredPrior exposure to multi-entity, multi-currency environments; GCC or international business exposure is a strong advantageAdvanced Excel skills — comfortable building and reviewing reconciliation models, pivot analyses, and variance schedules