Finance Assistant - Accounts Payable in Plymouth

The energy transition is critical to delivering a net zero carbon future and National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) is right at the heart of it. As a nation, we’re working towards the goal of net zero carbon by 2050. At National Grid, we’re committed to helping Britain reach this target by building a cleaner, greener energy system. But we can’t do this alone. We’re looking for people who are brimming with enthusiasm and bursting with ideas to help us build and run a cleaner energy system for the future. So, join us as a Finance Assistant - Accounts Payable, and find your superpower.

As a Finance Assistant - Accounts Payable, you’ll support the team in delivering a professional service both internally to NGED and externally to its 5,000 Trade Suppliers, processing more than 275,000 invoices per annum, to a value of £1bn+.

This role can be based out of our Plymouth office, and we’d hope to see you in the office full-time to complete your training. Thereafter, we are happy to accommodate hybrid working with circa 2 days in the office per week. We’re also happy to discuss any additional flexibility in working patterns or requirements that you feel could help to make this job work for you!

• The processing and checking of invoice documentation, including undertaking statutory checks for VAT.
• Communicating with the Business representatives and external Customers verbally and in writing to resolve enquiries and outstanding invoice and payment queries.
• Investigating statements, queries and obtaining credit notes from Suppliers for pricing errors or short deliveries.
• The operation, administration and understanding of numerous transaction processes and payment procedures for Suppliers, Corporate & Procurement card schemes, Wayleaves, Non Orders and Foreign Payments.
• Payment transaction administration for Bacs & cheques.
• Adherence to reporting, control and reconciliation procedures.

• You must have previous experience working in a similar environment and have the diplomacy and communication skills to manage customer relationships, both in writing and verbally.
• Knowledge of internal procedures and systems would be advantageous as would awareness of associated statutory requirements and compliances.
• Proficient in using Microsoft Excel.
• You should have good interpersonal skills, be self-confident and have the ability to work unsupervised; in a team environment and be able to prioritize tasks to ensure that deadlines are achieved.
• Pragmatic can adapt quickly to a changing environment and can adapt approaches and utilise and align skills to different stakeholders.
• Ability to set and manage customer expectations and manage key stakeholders.
• Strong results orientation.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At National Grid, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace for everyone. So, if you’re excited about this role but your experience or qualifications don’t match the job description exactly, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might just be the right person for our growing business in this role or another one.

Up to £35,283 depending on experience. As well as your base salary you will receive a bonus based on personal and company performance and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%. You will also have access to a number of flexible benefits such as a share incentive plan, salary sacrifice car and technology schemes, support via employee assistance lines and matched charity giving to name a few.

This is a hybrid working role from our Plymouth office and we’d hope to see you in the office full-time to complete your training. Thereafter, we are happy to accommodate hybrid working with circa 2 days in the office per week. The closing date for this vacancy is Midnight 16 July with interviews due to take place w/c 28 July onwards. We encourage candidates to submit their applications as early as possible and not to wait until the published closing date. National Grid’s recruitment periods can and may vary. We reserve the right to remove this advert or close it to further applications at any point during the recruitment process.

National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) is the regional electricity distribution division of National Grid. Formerly known as Western Power Distribution, the UK’s largest electricity distribution network serving 8 million customers in the East and West Midlands, Southwest and Wales, delivering essential power to millions of homes and businesses across its regions. With a distribution area of 550,000 square kilometres, its 6,600 colleagues are committed to providing a safe, stable and reliable electricity supply and ensuring the highest quality of customer service.

Inclusion and Diversity is not just about race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. It is about our employees who wake up every day to serve our 20 million customers. At National Grid, we aim to create an environment where everyone is welcomed for who they are and where our differences are not only accepted but are celebrated. We understand the value that a diverse team can add to our organisation and that is why we model inclusive behaviour starting with senior leadership. National Grid utilises the insights of our employees that come from all different cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs to better serve our customers and communities who are in the forefront of everything we do.