Accounts Payable & Finance Assistant

Accounts Payable & Finance Assistant

Location: Brentford (4 days office based, Fridays WFH)
Salary: Up to 45,000 + Benefits
Reporting to: Finance Director
Company: 7m Turnover Leasing Group

The Role

An established leasing group is seeking a highly capable and hands-on finance professional to work directly alongside the Finance Director. This is a broad role with a strong emphasis on Accounts Payable, payment processing, cash management, reconciliations and month-end support.

The successful candidate will take ownership of key finance processes across multiple entities, ensuring accurate financial records, timely payments, regulatory compliance and support for reporting activities.

Key Responsibilities

Accounts Payable & Payments

• Full ownership of the Accounts Payable function.
• Process supplier invoices and maintain accurate supplier records.
• Reconcile supplier statements and investigate discrepancies.
• Set up and process bank payments in accordance with management approval.
• Liaise with suppliers regarding payment queries and account issues.
• Monitor and manage the finance inbox, ensuring invoices are processed promptly.
• Process and pay employee expenses, providing guidance where required.

Banking & Cash Management

• Prepare and process all payment runs and ad hoc payments.
• Handle banking administration, including communications with our Bank regarding new payees and account matters.
• Produce daily cash position reports and monitor cash movements across the Group.
• Prepare monthly bank reconciliations across all accounts.
• Allocate cash receipts on a daily basis.

Financial Systems & Ledger Management

• Maintain and update the Soft4 finance system, ensuring the integrity of financial records across Group companies.
• Process all sales, purchase and banking transactions accurately.
• Post general ledger journals, including payroll, acquisitions and other month-end adjustments.
• Complete monthly general ledger and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Support the ongoing development and improvement of finance systems and processes.

Accounts Receivable

• Issue monthly sales invoices relating to Group property income.
• Post invoices within Soft4.
• Follow up overdue balances and issue statements where necessary.
• Process end-of-contract balance adjustments and write-offs as required.

VAT, Payroll & Compliance

• Prepare and submit VAT returns for three Group companies.
• Ensure VAT recovery is maximised and bad debt relief claims are correctly accounted for.
• Arrange VAT payments in accordance with HMRC deadlines and requirements.
• Work alongside the Finance Director on RAL reporting requirements.
• Process approved monthly payroll payments through online banking.
• Ensure all payroll-related payments to HMRC are completed accurately and on time.

Reporting, Audit & Month-End

• Support month-end and year-end close activities.
• Assist with the preparation of financial reports and management information.
• Maintain strong working relationships with external auditors and provide information as required.
• Support the Finance Director with ad hoc finance projects and reporting requirements.

Skills & Experience Required

• Previous experience in an Accounts Payable, Finance Assistant, Finance Officer or Assistant Accountant position.
• Strong hands-on experience of payment processing and online banking platforms.
• Experience managing supplier payments and AP processes end-to-end.
• Experience posting journals and maintaining general ledger records.
• Strong reconciliation skills, including bank and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Experience preparing VAT returns.
• Experience using ERP/accounting systems, ideally Soft4 and/or Microsoft Dynamics Business Central / Dynamics 365.
• Strong Excel skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of key financial processes.
• Comfortable working closely with senior stakeholders, including the Finance Director.

Package

• Salary up to 45,000
• Discretionary annual bonus
• Christmas bonus
• 25 days annual leave
• Hybrid working pattern (4 days office, Fridays WFH)

Ideal Candidate

This role would suit a proactive and dependable finance professional who enjoys being hands-on in a varied finance environment. You'll be confident managing accounts payable, payments, reconciliations and compliance activities while supporting the wider finance function and partnering closely with the Finance Director.

Immediate requirement with interviews taking place ASAP.