Purchase Ledger Assistant

Purchase Ledger Assistant

• Hourly rate: £14.08- 14.29 per hour PAYE, or £17.40- £17.97 per hour via an umbrella company.
• Location: Sutton (near the train station, no parking)
• Job Type: Full-time, Office Based
• Hours- 32 hours per week, flexible when they are worked between the hours of 08.45am- 16.30pm.
• Length of assignment- 6-9 months, paid weekly on a temporary basis.
• Requirements of the role: A DBS checked will need to be taken up if successful due to the nature of the business.

We are seeking a dedicated Purchase Ledger assistant to join our team. This role is crucial for maintaining efficient financial operations within our organisation. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing various aspects of the purchase ledger function, ensuring accuracy and compliance with financial regulations.

Day-to-day of the role:

• Enter sundry invoices with precision, ensuring all details such as supplier, invoice number, and description of goods are correctly captured (circa 80-100 weekly).
• Match PO invoices against official purchase orders, checking for any discrepancies and obtaining manual approval for variations.
• Accurately post VAT on the finance system and ensure finance inboxes are reviewed daily.
• Process invoices within 5 days of receipt and monitor invoice entries for timely resolution.
• Prepare and process fortnightly BACS payments, maintaining accurate records of payment paperwork.
• Set up and update supplier information on the finance system.
• Handle and resolve supplier queries professionally.
• Regularly reconcile supplier statements and review the aged creditors report.
• Liaise with schools/college centres to enhance internal procedures for the purchase ledger function.
• Conduct monthly housekeeping on purchase orders and ensure compliance with payment terms for invoices over £5k.
• Match direct debits to invoices within the current working month and assist in achieving a 95% rate of paying invoices within 30 days.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Proven experience in a finance department, particularly in purchase ledger functions including BACS payments.
• Experience of purchase to pay process (P2P).
• GCSE Maths and English grade A-C or equivalent.
• Qualification in financial administration at NVQ Level 2 or above, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Experience working across multi-site/company databases and preferably in an educational establishment.
• Strong knowledge of financial systems and procedures.
• Proficient in using Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Ability to interpret financial information, investigate issues, and implement corrective actions.
• Excellent organisational skills to meet deadlines.
• Effective communication skills across various methods and styles.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.