Is a Temporary Accounts Payable Role a Good Career Move?
Temporary roles are sometimes viewed as a stopgap, but in Accounts Payable they can be a very smart career move.
Whether you are trying to build experience, learn a new system, move into a larger organisation or simply get your foot in the door, a temporary AP role can offer far more value than people often realise.
Why do businesses hire temporary Accounts Payable professionals?
There are lots of reasons why an organisation may need temporary support in its Accounts Payable team.
Common examples include:
- clearing a backlog of invoices
- supporting year-end or month-end activity
- covering sickness, maternity leave or another absence
- helping during a busy period
- supporting a system implementation
- assisting with a finance transformation project
- providing extra resource during a restructure or acquisition
In many cases, businesses need someone who can come in quickly, understand the task and make an immediate impact.
That can give temporary AP professionals valuable exposure to situations they may not come across in a permanent role.
A chance to build your experience
Temporary assignments can be particularly useful if you are early in your career, returning to work or looking to move into a different type of organisation.
You may have the opportunity to work with:
- a new finance system
- higher invoice volumes
- international suppliers
- different currencies
- more complex approval processes
- larger finance teams
- shared service centres
- system or process improvement projects
All of these can strengthen your CV.
A short-term role becomes especially valuable when you can clearly explain what you learnt, what you delivered and how you helped the business.
For example, you may have reduced an invoice backlog, improved supplier query response times, supported a system migration or helped introduce a more efficient process.
These are measurable achievements that future employers will be interested in.
Temporary does not always mean short-term
Before accepting a temporary Accounts Payable role, it is important to understand why the position is temporary.
Ask questions such as:
- How long is the assignment expected to last?
- Is it covering an absence or supporting a project?
- Could the contract be extended?
- Is the business also recruiting permanently?
- What will I be expected to deliver?
- Which systems and processes will I be working with?
The answers will help you decide whether the role is right for you and how it fits with your longer-term plans.
Some temporary assignments are clearly defined from the outset, while others evolve as the needs of the business change.
Can a temporary AP role become permanent?
Yes, absolutely.
Temporary roles can sometimes lead to permanent opportunities, particularly when the business realises it needs the position long term or when the temporary employee proves to be a strong fit for the team.
We recently placed a temporary Accounts Payable professional into a large media company. They settled into the role brilliantly, became a valued member of the team and have now been offered a permanent position.
They are absolutely loving it.
It is a great example of how a temporary assignment can become something much more. It gave the candidate the opportunity to get to know the organisation, demonstrate their ability and decide whether the culture was right for them before committing permanently.
The employer also had the chance to see their skills and attitude in action.
Of course, you should never assume that every temporary role will become permanent. If that is something you would be interested in, let your recruiter know from the beginning. They can advise you on whether there is genuine long-term potential.
Is temporary work right for everyone?
Temporary work will not suit everybody.
You may prefer the security of a permanent role, or you may need certainty around income, benefits and future plans.
However, temporary Accounts Payable roles can offer more flexibility, variety and access to opportunities that may not otherwise be available.
They can also be helpful if you:
- want to start work quickly
- are between permanent roles
- want to gain experience in a new sector
- are unsure what type of business suits you
- want to strengthen your CV
- need more flexibility
- are looking for a route into a larger organisation
The key is to judge the role on what it can add to your career, rather than focusing only on the fact that it is temporary.
Final thoughts
A temporary Accounts Payable role can be an excellent way to gain experience, develop new skills and build your professional network.
The right assignment could introduce you to a new system, sector or level of responsibility. It could also help you achieve something measurable that strengthens your CV.
And, as our recent media placement shows, it could even lead to a permanent role that you genuinely enjoy.
Before accepting, make sure you understand why the role is temporary, what you will be responsible for and how the experience will support your longer-term career goals.
Temporary does not have to mean taking a step backwards. In the right role, it could be the move that takes your Accounts Payable career forward.