We have an exciting opportunity for an Accounts Payable Clerk to join our Bertelsmann Global Business Services (BGBS) team based in Frating, Colchester on a fixed-term basis until December 2026.
Bertelsmann Global Business Services Ltd (BGBS) is an accounting shared service centre established in 2018 to provide accounting functions for Bertelsmann group companies in the UK. Comprising of a team of over 50 and based at the Penguin Random House distribution centre on the outskirts of Colchester, the group companies served by BGBS include Penguin Random House, Dorling Kindersley, BMG, Arvato SCM and Little Tiger. The services provided by BGBS include Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Banking and General Accounting (general ledger, fixed assets, tax, financial reporting etc.).
As an Accounts Payable Clerk, you will be at the heart of our Purchase to Pay (P2P) activities, ensuring smooth and efficient transactions for procurement of services, facilities, and goods. Reporting to one of our Accounts Payable Supervisors, you will manage and control data flows within the P2P system, supporting our mission to deliver top-notch financial services. This role is perfect for a proactive self-starter who thrives in a collaborative environment and is eager to contribute to both personal and departmental success.
Key responsibilities
- Maintain supplier accounts on the SAP system, ensuring timely invoice payments in accordance with supplier terms.
- Reconcile supplier statements to the ledger.
- Request the setup of new supplier accounts as needed.
- Obtain copy invoices when necessary.
- Chase up unauthorised invoices to ensure prompt processing.
- Perform any other related tasks that may arise.
What you'll bring
Essential criteria:
- Demonstrable ability to build and maintain strong working relationships at various levels within the Group.
- Strong IT and systems skills, particularly in Excel.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to influence a wide range of people.
- Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and accuracy.
- Ability to consistently meet strict deadlines and produce high-quality information.
- Structured and disciplined approach to planning and organising workload, capable of working independently without supervision.
- Ability to manage multiple deadlines, projects, and workloads.
- Commercially motivated, with the ability to challenge and probe current data and processes.
- A strong team player with interpersonal sensitivity.
Preferred criteria:
- Previous experience as an Accounts Payable Clerk with P2P experience/exposure.
- Familiarity with SAP in P2P environments.
About Penguin
We’re the UK’s largest publisher; made up of some 2,000 people and publishing over 1,500 books each year. Our doors are open to all kinds of talent. In a constantly evolving industry, we work hard to stretch the definition of the word publisher. Here, you’ll work with a breadth of talent who all play their part to make each of our books a success. Together, we make books for everyone because a book can change anyone.
The recruitment process
As a Disability Confident Committed organisation, we offer interviews to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for the role, and opt-in on their application form. The essential criteria for this role are listed as part of the ‘What you’ll bring’ section. There may be times when the volume of applications means we cannot take all eligible candidates to interview.
We encourage you to tell us about any reasonable adjustments you may need by emailing PRHCareersUK@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk. Remember, you only need to share what you are comfortable to for us to support your request.
Please note, we are not able to accept agency CVs for this role. Any CVs sent speculatively will not be eligible for a fee.
