Purchase Ledger Clerk in Farnworth

Location: Deane Road Campus, Bolton College

Term: Temporary - Until June 2026

Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week

Pay Rate: £14.50 - £16.50 per hour

Start Date: ASAP

DBS Requirement: Enhanced DBS will be required for this role

What’s in it for you:

• Competitive experienced rate of £14.50-£16.50 per hour
• Be part of a supportive, professional FE finance team
• Develop your finance career within a respected college environment
• Work with Bolton Talent Solutions – grow your profile with a trusted FE partner

Position Overview:

Bolton Talent Solutions is seeking a detail‑focused and reliable Purchase Ledger Clerk to support the Financial Services Department at Bolton College. You will ensure the accurate processing of invoices, purchase orders, financial transactions and supplier reconciliations while supporting colleagues, budget holders and suppliers. This role is ideal for someone with strong purchase ledger experience, excellent attention to detail and confidence working in a fast‑paced finance environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Supplier Invoices & Credit Notes:

• Prepare invoices, sundry payments and credit notes for system input
• Process purchase orders with correct authorisation and coding
• Maintain accurate authorised signatory lists
• Resolve invoice and coding queries with Budget Holders and suppliers
• Reconcile supplier statements and resolve outstanding balances

• Review proposed payment runs prior to authorisation
• Provide daily/weekly payment data to support cashflow monitoring
• Process and reconcile weekly Petty Cash
• Process student bursary payments following requests from Student Finance

• Complete month‑end routines within strict deadlines
• Resolve disputed items and credit balances promptly
• Support the Management Accountant with accrual journals and system uploads
• Prepare monthly purchase ledger balance reports

• Prepare documentation for internal/external audits
• Implement audit recommendations where required

• Carry out general administration, filing and record‑keeping
• Produce ad‑hoc financial reports
• Create and post journals
• Provide guidance and training to colleagues on purchase ledger processes
• Support development and improvements to financial procedures
• Work flexibly as part of the Finance team and provide cover as required
• Communicate effectively with Budget Holders to meet deadlines and maintain compliance
• Uphold safeguarding, equality, diversity, health & safety and confidentiality standards

Key Requirements:

• Education / Qualifications:

• GCSE Maths and English at grade 4/C or above

• Experience using a range of software such as Word, Excel, databases, email and internet
• Experience with computerised purchase ledger systems and cash handling
• Experience using a computerised purchase ordering system
• Experience electronically processing supplier invoices and reconciling supplier accounts

• Experience working in the Further Education (FE) sector
• Experience preparing reports/statistical information

• High level of accuracy and ability to meet strict deadlines
• Excellent communication skills at all levels - written, telephone and face‑to‑face
• Ability to work unsupervised and use initiative effectively
• Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise workloads
• Knowledge of basic accounting procedures relevant to purchase ledger operations

• Flexible approach to work and changing deadlines
• Must hold or be willing to obtain an Enhanced DBS for working in a college environment
• Ability to work with discretion and maintain confidentiality
• Awareness of health & safety responsibilities
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Commitment to safeguarding young people and vulnerable adults

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you! Please apply today with an up‑to‑date CV.

The Legal Bit: Bolton Talent Solutions is acting as an employment business for this position. If you are successful, Bolton Talent Solutions is required to see evidence of your Right to Work in the UK; in addition to you applying for an enhanced DBS Certificate should you not already hold a suitable certificate registered on the DBS Update Service. The position is subject to agreement to Terms and Conditions and suitable application and reference process. As a result of the volume of applications we are currently receiving we regret that we may be unable to respond with individual feedback. If we have not contacted you within two weeks of your application being received then regretfully your application will not be taken forward on this occasion.