£38,000 - £40,000 per annum plus benefits

Reports to: Finance Manager

Directorate: Finance, Governance & Assurance

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time 35 hours per week

Location: Location Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office)

Closing date: 15 October 2026 23:55

Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.
Recruitment process: 1 – 2 stage competency-based interview  

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

As a Senior Accounts Payable Executive, you will support the Finance Manager in delivering an efficient, high-quality Accounts Payable and Receivable service, ensuring strong financial controls, excellent stakeholder support, and the achievement of service level agreements and key performance indicators.

In this role, you will:

·        Support the delivery of high-performing Accounts Payable (AP) and Accounts Receivable (AR) services, ensuring SLAs and KPIs are consistently achieved.

·        Maintain and uphold key financial controls across AP and AR processes, including the completion of critical reconciliations.

·        Provide an excellent service experience to CRUK colleagues, suppliers, customers, supporters, and other stakeholders.

·        Support the resolution of more complex queries and issues, helping to ensure timely and effective outcomes.

Key Accountabilities

·        Manage aged debt and creditor balances, ensuring timely reconciliation and resolution of outstanding items.

·        Monitor performance against KPIs and SLAs, providing regular reporting and insights to the Finance Manager.

·        Act as the escalation point for complex Accounts Receivable queries and support Accounts Payable escalations when required.

·        Oversee key financial controls, including:

o   Customer account approvals

o   Payment reviews and approvals

o   Supplier reconciliation reviews

o   Purchasing card controls

·        Maintain process documentation and support the development of best practice across AP and AR activities.

·        Work closely with Procurement to improve efficiency across the Procure-to-Pay process.

·        Support finance projects, including audit actions, system enhancements and process improvement initiatives.

·        Participate in system testing, documenting and implementing approved changes.

·        Provide support and cover for the Finance Manager as required.

·        Contribute to team objectives and support Cancer Research UK's mission.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Stakeholder Management

·        Builds effective working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels.

·        Communicates clearly and confidently, adapting messages to different audiences.

·        Provides guidance and support on finance processes and requirements.

·        Works effectively within a matrix environment, supporting and coordinating the work of others where needed.

Technical Expertise

·        Strong understanding of Accounts Payable and/or Accounts Receivable processes.

·        Experience working with financial controls, reconciliations and month-end activities.

·        Knowledge of VAT and related financial regulations.

·        Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

·        Comfortable using financial systems and interpreting management information.

·        Experience of driving process improvements and operational efficiencies.

·        High level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Behaviours

·        Takes ownership and accountability for delivering high-quality work.

·        Manages priorities effectively and delivers against deadlines.

·        Demonstrates initiative and a solutions-focused approach.

·        Embraces change and continuously looks for ways to improve.

·        Acts with professionalism, integrity and respect.

·        Promotes an inclusive and collaborative working environment.

Experience & Qualifications

·        Previous experience in an Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable or Finance Operations role.

·        Experience working within a controlled financial environment.

·        Understanding of customer and supplier account management.

·        Experience with Business World and Purchase Point systems would be advantageous.

Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.

Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination  

Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism   

Human: Act to have a positive impact on people  

Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively

We’re looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.

If you’re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience we’d still love to hear from you.

What will I gain?

We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.

You can explore our benefits by visiting our careers web page.

How do I apply?

We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won’t be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively.

Please note that applications can’t be edited once submitted.

Owing to the nature of this position, any offer of employment for this role will be subject to a satisfactory basic DBS check.

For more information on this career opportunity please visit our website or contact us at [email protected].  

For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.

We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen. Please contact [email protected] or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.