Purchase Ledger Assistant

We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Purchase Ledger Clerk/Assistant to join our finance team. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in managing the purchase ledger, ensuring accuracy in financial records, and supporting the smooth operation of accounts payable processes for the Finance and Production team. This position requires strong analytical skills and proficiency in accounting software.

We take pride in being an equal opportunities employer committed to fostering a positive working environment. As part of our team, you will be instrumental in supporting various business acitivities to ensure our company remains a great place to work.

Key Responsibilities:

• Daily: Accurately process approximately 2,000 fully coded invoices each month. This includes logging goods receipts and promptly filing each invoice for record-keeping, all within the required business timelines.
• Daily: Validate all invoices by matching them to Goods Received Notes (GRNs) or delivery notes for approval.
• Daily: Liaise with Production and Commercial Team members to ensure the complete receipt of materials or services, fully matching the invoiced sums. 
• Daily: Capture all validated expenditure accurately onto the accounts software for reporting purposes.
• Daily: Update and maintain live dispute logs, providing current key information to the Procurement Team for placing further orders, and to the Production and Commercial Teams for instructing additional works or calling off further materials.
• Daily: Challenge costs received against previously agreed terms or rates, identifying any overcharges or mis-specifications to orders raised. 
• Daily: Liaise with suppliers and subcontractors to ensure disputes are resolved and due credits received within the same period to enable accurate capture of month-end ledger entries
• Monthly: Conduct monthly statement of account reconciliations, ensuring ledgers are up-to-date and error-free.
• Monthly: Assist the Commercial and Production teams by providing copy documents for invoices/GRNs and supporting information to analyse monthly expenditure from suppliers and subcontractors.
• Holiday Cover: Process and raise orders via the accounts system during holiday cover. 

Qualifications:

• Essential – GCSE Maths and English Grade C equivalent or above

• Desirable – AAT or equivalent bookkeeping or accounting course

Skills and Experience:

A minimum of two years' experience working within a procurement or accounts environment, possessing strong knowledge and practical experience of Sage accounts software or equivalent systems.

• Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
• The ability to meet stringent deadlines consistently.
• The capability to fulfil all requirements in a professional manner.

Essential:

• Valid Driving Licence.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Outlook, and Word.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong coaching and mentoring skills.
• Excellent presentation and reporting skills.

Personality:

• Highly organised and meticulous in your approach to work, focused, self-disciplined, and motivated to complete tasks accurately and within the timelines set by the business.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Confidence to identify and challenge anomalies and ensure adherence to company policies and procedures.
• A strong aptitude for IT with a good working knowledge of accounting systems and Excel.
• A positive, can-do attitude towards work.

Benefits:

• Available as either a full-time or part-time position, working 36 to 42.5 hours per week.
• Annual salary: £25,000 to £28,000.
• Access to the company pension scheme.
• 28 days of annual leave, including bank holidays.
• Company-provided private health care cover.