Finance Assistant / Purchase Ledger

Finance Assistant / Purchase Ledger

Temporary 30000 - 30000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Hays Accountancy and Finance

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage purchase ledger, process invoices, and support finance operations.
  • Company: Family-owned business with a friendly and collaborative culture.
  • Benefits: Salary up to £30,000, flexible hours, and potential for permanent role.
  • Other info: Opportunity for career progression and exposure to diverse finance tasks.
  • Why this job: Join a growing team and gain valuable finance experience in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience with Sage 50 or 200 and strong Excel skills required.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 30000 £ per year.

A well-established, family-owned business based in Stoke-on-Trent is seeking a Finance Assistant to join their collaborative and supportive finance team. Following consistent growth, the company is expanding its team and looking for a reliable and adaptable individual to support day-to-day finance operations. The company has a large and established customer base and prides itself on its collaborative and friendly culture. This is a temp-to-perm opportunity (initial 3-month temporary period with a view to becoming permanent), offering flexibility around start and finish times and the chance to join a stable business where many employees have long tenure.

The Role

Reporting into the Finance Manager. You will take ownership of the end-to-end purchase ledger cycle while also supporting wider finance activities as needed.

Key Responsibilities

  • Using Sage 50 to process invoices
  • Performing three-way matching (invoice, delivery note, purchase order)
  • Allocating payments and handling remittances
  • Reviewing monthly corporate credit card statements and collating receipts
  • Prepare monthly payment runs
  • Maintain accurate supplier records and account details
  • Supplier management and building strong stakeholder relationships
  • Responding to finance-related queries
  • Supporting supplier invoice checks against pricing discrepancies
  • Assisting with foreign currency transactions (USD, EUR, GBP), including the process of foreign invoices and allocating payments
  • Maintain filing systems and supporting documents for audit purposes
  • Liaising with external accountants and internal stakeholders, including reporting to the Managing Director
  • Providing ad hoc support across Sales Ledger and general finance duties

About You

We're looking for someone who is:

  • Experienced in Sage 50 or Sage 200 (essential)
  • Confident using Excel
  • Highly organised, conscientious, and attention to detail
  • A strong communicator with excellent interpersonal skills
  • Adaptable and flexible, happy to support across different finance tasks
  • Reliable, trustworthy, and a positive team player with a friendly attitude

What's on Offer

  • Salary up to £30,000 per annum
  • Flexible start and finish times
  • Supportive and welcoming team environment
  • Opportunity to transition into a permanent role after 6 months
  • Genuine opportunity for progression and development for the right candidate
  • Exposure to a varied and dynamic workload within a growing business

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

Finance Assistant / Purchase Ledger employer: Hays Accountancy and Finance

Join a well-established, family-owned business in Stoke-on-Trent as a Finance Assistant, where you will thrive in a collaborative and supportive finance team. Enjoy flexible working hours, a friendly culture, and the opportunity for career progression within a stable environment that values long-term employee tenure.

Hays Accountancy and Finance

Contact Details:

Hays Accountancy and Finance Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Finance Assistant / Purchase Ledger

Join Financial Networking Events

Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.

Utilise Temp Agencies Specialised in Finance

Reach out to temp agencies that focus on the banking sector. They often have strong ties with various firms and can help you secure short-term gigs that can help beef up your CV and get your foot in the door at firms like Hays Accountancy and Finance.

Connect with Alumni from Your Uni

Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.

Stay Active on Job Boards and Company Websites

Keep your eyes peeled on job boards specifically for finance roles. Companies like Hays Accountancy and Finance might post temporary positions directly on their sites, so make sure to apply there too. Set alerts to catch those roles the moment they go live!

We think you need these skills to ace Finance Assistant / Purchase Ledger

Sage 50
Sage 200
Excel
Attention to Detail
Invoice Processing
Three-Way Matching
Supplier Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!

Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at Hays Accountancy and Finance will be keen to see in your application.

Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at Hays Accountancy and Finance. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!

Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give Hays Accountancy and Finance confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.

How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Accountancy and Finance

Brush Up on Financial Regulations

Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with Hays Accountancy and Finance.

Showcase Your Analytical Skills

Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.

Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability

For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure Hays Accountancy and Finance that you’re a reliable team player.

Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn

In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.