At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our P2P team to process invoices and support accounts payable activities.
- Company: Sage Homes, the UK's largest provider of affordable homes.
- Benefits: 25 days holiday, health cash plan, study support, and electric car scheme.
- Other info: Hybrid working model and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the housing crisis while developing your finance skills.
- Qualifications: AAT qualified or equivalent, with experience in accounts payable.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
About Sage Homes
Set up in 2017 and funded by Blackstone and Regis to help address the housing crisis in the UK, Sage Homes has now delivered more than 21,000 homes, all of which are affordable. A further 2,500 new homes are in our construction pipeline. Sage is proud to be England's largest provider of newly built affordable homes for five successive years, providing our customers with high-quality, energy-efficient properties (98% of Sage homes are EPC A or B) to live in safe, secure and thriving communities. At Sage Homes, we remain committed to our mission of making new homes affordable for those who need them most, while delivering great customer support.
About the role
We are looking for an experienced and detail-oriented Accounts Assistant to join our Purchase-to-Pay (P2P) team on a 9-month fixed-term contract. This role will focus on supporting the reconciliation, payment, and accounting of third-party managing agent invoices, ensuring full compliance with company policies and financial regulations. Reporting to the P2P Manager, you will work as part of a collaborative team to ensure the smooth and accurate processing of accounts payable activities. The role is based in our Northampton office with hybrid working: three days per week in the office and two days from home.
Responsibilities
- Process and verify invoices, ensuring accuracy and compliance with approval processes, with a strong focus on managing agent invoices.
- Support the preparation and execution of payment runs, including electronic transfers.
- Reconcile vendor statements and resolve discrepancies in a timely manner, particularly for managing agent accounts.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date accounts payable records and ledgers.
- Collaborate with internal teams and external vendors to resolve queries and issues.
- Manage supplier relationships, including issuing remittance advices to support account reconciliation and resolve queries.
- Provide payment evidence and remittance documentation to the Sage Legal team to support relationships with managing agents and external freeholders.
About you
- AAT qualified (or equivalent) or qualified by experience.
- Proven experience in a high-volume accounts payable or finance role.
- Strong understanding of accounting principles and procedures.
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel; experience with Coupa or similar systems is desirable.
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
- Proactive problem solver with the ability to manage competing priorities.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
We are committed to ensuring you have the best career here at Sage. As well as regular support and guidance from your manager, you can expect to receive a variety of learning and development opportunities to support you as you grow within our business. This includes internally and externally delivered development programmes and opportunities to study for professional accreditations and qualifications.
Culture and benefits
At Sage Homes, we want to empower diverse, ambitious people to thrive. We are fast-paced and inclusive, and encourage our people to use their passion, curiosity and inventiveness to help us create safe places for our customers to flourish.
- 25 days holiday, and an additional day for every year of service (up to five years).
- Annual discretionary bonus scheme.
- A health cash plan, with financial support for a range of options including physiotherapy, opticians, dental and private online GP sessions.
- Study support package, helping you achieve your personal and professional development ambitions.
- Workplace Pension – matching personal contributions up to 5%.
- Cycle to Work scheme, helping you save up to 40% on a new bike and accessories.
- Electric car scheme, enabling you to rent a brand-new electric car at low-cost payments.
- Wellbeing support through MyndUp.
- Two days’ paid volunteering leave a year, allowing you to support causes you care about.
- Charity fundraising support, with match-funding up to £1,000 for good causes.
We believe that investing in our people is key to our success. Our benefits are designed to support your well-being, professional growth and work-life balance, ensuring you feel valued and empowered to make a difference every day.
P2P (Accounts Payable) Assistant Accountant - 9 month FTC (0912) in Northampton employer: Sage Housing
Sage Homes is an exceptional employer, dedicated to addressing the housing crisis in the UK while fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer extensive learning opportunities, a generous benefits package including 25 days of holiday and a health cash plan, and a culture that empowers our diverse team to thrive. Located in Northampton, our hybrid working model allows for flexibility, ensuring a healthy work-life balance as you contribute to our mission of providing affordable homes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land P2P (Accounts Payable) Assistant Accountant - 9 month FTC (0912) in Northampton
✨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 Sage Housing.
✨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 Sage Housing 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 P2P (Accounts Payable) Assistant Accountant - 9 month FTC (0912) in Northampton
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 Sage Housing 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 Sage Housing. 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 Sage Housing confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sage Housing
✨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 Sage Housing.
✨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 Sage Housing 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.
