AP & AR Manager
Academic Work Sweden AB · Linköping · 6 månader eller längre · Deadline 2026-12-04
Academic Work Sweden AB is recruiting an **AP & AR Manager** based at their office in Linköping to lead the unified accounts payable and accounts receivable team across the Akind Group. Reporting to the Group Finance Director and joining the Finance Management Team, the role oversees financial flows for client and supplier payments across multiple European markets. Core duties involve managing, coaching, and cross-training a team of specialists, administrators, and assistants, while maintaining **continuous process improvement** to standardize, harmonize, and automate end-to-end financial workflows. The position also ensures accurate invoicing, tracks operational KPIs, and coordinates handovers with internal stakeholders, customers, and consultants. Applicants must demonstrate **proven people leadership experience** encompassing direct team management, coaching, and competence development, alongside operational knowledge of AP, AR, invoicing, credit management, or related transaction-intensive financial flows. The position requires professional fluency in both Swedish and English and a track record of enhancing workflows while sustaining daily operational delivery. A degree in finance, accounting, economics, or a related field is considered meritorious, as is experience in complex international organizations, practical involvement in automation or system implementations, and proficiency in Finnish, German, or French.
Are you a supportive leader with a passion for process improvement and team development?
About the role
Over the last five years, Akind Finance has transitioned into a centralized function. Today, we support operations across Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Germany, and from 2027, Switzerland. Our portfolio of brands includes Academic Work, Winona, Brights, and Crowd Collective. During this journey, we have modernized our systems and successfully consolidated our Credit Management, Customer Invoicing, and Supplier Invoices teams into one unified AP/AR team.
As our new Group AP/AR Manager, you will report to the Group Finance Director and lead a team of AP/AR specialists, administrators, and finance assistants from our office in Linköping. As our AP/AR function enters its next chapter, your most critical task will be to provide supportive leadership that cultivates a strong foundation of trust and psychological safety, while actively driving continuous process improvements and optimization across our financial workflows. You will also be a key member of the Finance Management Team, contributing to strategic alignment and cross-functional collaboration.
Work tasks
- You will hold the overall responsibility for all financial flows related to client and supplier payments.
- You will provide visible, accessible leadership through regular dialogue, coaching, constructive feedback, and cross-training.
- You will drive process improvements by continuously streamlining, standardizing, harmonizing, and automating our AP/AR end-to-end processes.
- You will continuously streamline, standardize, and automate the AP/AR processes.
- You will ensure accurate client and supplier invoicing and payments according to agreed terms.
- You will deliver responsive, professional support to internal stakeholders, customers, and consultants while improving handovers.
- You will establish and track relevant KPIs, goals, and targets within the AP/AR processes.
We are looking for
To succeed in this role, you are a confident, approachable, and low-ego leader. You create trust through presence, clarity, and consistent follow-through. You communicate openly, address challenges directly, and help people understand both what needs to change and why. Above all, you enjoy developing people and building a team that shares knowledge and supports one another. You also naturally align with our core values: Show Heart, Share Energy, and Beat Yesterday.
Required experience & background:
- You have proven people leadership experience, including direct responsibility for a team, coaching, performance follow-up, and competence development.
- You have a sound operational understanding of financial flows and experience from AP, AR, Invoicing, Credit Management, or a related transaction-intensive function.
- You have demonstrated the ability to improve ways of working while involving employees and protecting the quality of daily delivery.
- You have strong communication skills and professional fluency in English and Swedish.
Meritorious experience:
- A degree in finance, accounting, economics, or a related discipline.
- Background in a complex, multi-company, or international organization.
- Practical experience with automation, digitalization, system implementation, or AI-supported process improvement.
- Additional language skills, particularly Finnish, German, or French.
Practical Information In this recruitment process, Akind is working together with Winona. If you have any questions, please contact Researcher Liisa Ehrenborg Unenge ++liisa.unenge@winonagroup.com++ or Consultant Sandra Isojärvi ++sandra.isojarvi@winonagroup.com++. We look forward to receiving your application!