At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage finance tasks like invoices, payments, and reconciliations for a vibrant hospitality group.
- Company: Chestnut Group, a dynamic hospitality brand with a focus on growth and teamwork.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, discounts, free meals, and support for your personal development.
- Other info: Opportunities for career progression and AAT study support available.
- Why this job: Join a supportive team and grow your finance skills in a fun, engaging environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance or strong admin skills with a passion for numbers.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.
Chestnut is a hospitality group operating a portfolio of pubs and inns across East Anglia, alongside wine distribution and food subsidiaries. Behind every site is a high volume of invoices, payments, takings and supplier relationships — and this role keeps that engine running cleanly. Reporting to the Financial Controller, you'll own the day-to-day transactional finance work that everything else depends on: purchase ledger, supplier payments, sales ledger, banking and reconciliations across the group's trading entities. Accuracy, reliability and a tidy ledger are the whole game. It's also a role with room to grow. For someone with an appetite for finance, there's scope to take on more over time — with AAT study support available for the right candidate — progressing toward an assistant-accountant path.
What You'll Be Doing
- Purchase Ledger & Payments
- Process high volumes of purchase invoices across multiple trading entities and sites, coding accurately to the correct nominal and entity in Xero.
- Match invoices to orders and delivery notes, resolving discrepancies with suppliers and site managers.
- Prepare supplier payment runs to agreed terms, keeping the ledger reconciled to supplier statements.
- Set up and maintain supplier accounts.
- Sales Ledger & Credit Control
- Raise sales and intercompany invoices (including the wine and events businesses) and allocate receipts accurately.
- Support credit control — chase overdue accounts, maintain aged debt, and elevate where needed.
- Banking & Reconciliations
- Post and reconcile bank transactions across entity accounts, including site takings and card settlements.
- Reconcile petty cash, expenses and company credit cards.
- Finance Administration & Support
- Maintain accurate, well-organised digital financial records and filing.
- Support month-end with reconciliations, basic accruals and prepayments prep, and ad hoc analysis.
- Respond to internal, site and supplier queries promptly and professionally.
- Help identify and adopt improvements — including automation and AI tools — that make routine processing faster and cleaner.
What We're Looking For
- Essential
- Experience in a finance or accounts administration, purchase-ledger or transactional finance role — or strong administrative experience with a genuine appetite for finance.
- Accurate, methodical and well-organised, with strong attention to detail and reliable high-volume data entry.
- Confident with Excel and comfortable learning cloud accounting systems.
- A clear, professional communicator, comfortable dealing with suppliers, site managers and colleagues.
- Reliable, proactive and willing to take ownership of your area.
- Discreet and trustworthy with sensitive financial information.
- Desirable
- AAT qualified or working towards (study support available).
- Hands-on experience of Xero.
- Experience of a multi-entity, multi-site, hospitality or high-volume transactional environment.
- Familiarity with invoice-processing or automation tools, and an interest in using AI to work more efficiently.
Why Join Us?
- Team & Individual Incentives — rewards for your hard work, including staff days out and even trips abroad.
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) — free, confidential support for wellbeing, finances, and more.
- Team Parties & Social Events — regular events to connect, relax, and celebrate together.
- Work Anniversary Rewards — your commitment celebrated every year.
- Refer a Friend Scheme — earn a cash bonus when a friend you recommend joins us.
- Peter Graham Wine Discounts — exclusive pricing on carefully selected wines.
- Family & Friends Discounts — share special perks with those you care about.
- Team Discounts — up to 50% off your food bill at our venues.
- Overnight Stays from £75 — take a break at any Chestnut property at a reduced rate.
- High Street Discounts — savings on retail, dining, and travel.
- Free Meal on Duty — a freshly prepared meal every shift.
- Tips + Wagestream Access — track your earnings in real time and access pay as you earn.
- Flexible Hours — support for a healthy work-life balance.
- Learning & Development — accredited training (including AAT study support) and continuous development opportunities.
Finance Administrator in Bury St Edmunds employer: Le Strange Arms
Le Strange Arms is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work environment where team members can thrive while delivering exceptional service. With a focus on locally sourced ingredients and a commitment to employee growth, staff enjoy flexible hours, incentives, and numerous opportunities for learning and development in the heart of the UK hospitality scene.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Administrator in Bury St Edmunds
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
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Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Le Strange Arms. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Administrator in Bury St Edmunds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Le Strange Arms.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Le Strange Arms's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Le Strange Arms
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Le Strange Arms.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Le Strange Arms will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Le Strange Arms employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
