Finance Assistant

Location: South Woodford, London

Salary: £35,000 – £40,000 per annum

Job Type: Permanent, Full-time

Working Pattern: Office-based, Monday to Friday

Department: Accounts

Reporting to: Head of Finance

About the Role

We are looking for an organised, accurate and reliable Finance Assistant to join the Accounts Team of an established construction business with a turnover of £50m+. This is a hands-on role within a small, close-knit finance team, with a primary focus on purchase ledger, supplier invoice processing, reconciliations and payments. The successful candidate will be responsible for processing approximately 600 supplier invoices per month, ensuring invoices are accurately checked, coded, authorised and processed for payment. You will work closely with suppliers, Quantity Surveyors, the Commercial Team and colleagues across the business. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys working in a busy environment, takes ownership of their workload and has excellent attention to detail. The business has a positive and supportive company culture, where teamwork, collaboration and professional development are valued. You will be joining a friendly team where people work closely together and support one another to achieve shared goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Purchase Ledger & Invoice Processing: Monitor the accounts email inbox and process approximately 600 supplier invoices per month, ensuring invoices are accurately checked, coded, authorised and processed efficiently. Check invoices for correct VAT treatment and CIS status, verifying information with HMRC where required, and enter invoices onto Sage 50 with the correct nominal, project/cost coding and VAT treatment. Distribute invoices to the relevant Quantity Surveyor for checking and approval, amend invoices on Sage 50 following review, and ensure all invoices are fully authorised before payment. Investigate and resolve invoice discrepancies and supplier queries, maintain accurate electronic and accounting records, and download, print and scan invoices and supporting documentation as required.
• Supplier Statements & Reconciliations: Complete monthly supplier statement reconciliations, investigating and resolving discrepancies between supplier statements and the purchase ledger, including identifying missing invoices, credit notes and payments. Liaise with suppliers, Quantity Surveyors and internal colleagues to resolve outstanding items and ensure the purchase ledger remains accurate and up to date.
• Payments: Complete daily supplier payment runs, ensuring payments relate to appropriately authorised invoices and checking payment information for accuracy before processing. Deal with supplier payment queries and resolve issues promptly, processing payments in accordance with company procedures and agreed timescales.
• Sage 50 & Excel: Maintain accurate purchase ledger information within Sage 50, ensuring financial transactions are correctly recorded and coded. Use Microsoft Excel to maintain, analyse and present financial information, including using functions such as Pivot Tables, and produce reports using Sage 50 and Excel as required.
• General Finance Support: Provide general accounting and administrative support to the Accounts Team, responding to supplier and internal finance queries professionally and promptly. Work closely with Quantity Surveyors and the Commercial Team, support other members of the Accounts Team when required, maintain confidentiality of financial and commercially sensitive information, and take responsibility for managing your own workload and meeting deadlines.

About You

Essential Experience & Skills:

• Previous experience in a Purchase Ledger, Accounts Payable or Finance Assistant role, with experience processing a high volume of supplier invoices and a good working knowledge of Sage 50 and Microsoft Excel, including Pivot Tables.
• Good understanding of VAT and CIS, with the ability to investigate and resolve discrepancies effectively.
• Excellent attention to detail and a high level of accuracy, combined with strong organisational and time-management skills and the ability to work to deadlines and manage a busy workload.
• Good communication skills, with confidence dealing with suppliers and internal colleagues, together with the ability to work effectively as part of a small Accounts Team.
• Reliable, professional and able to maintain confidentiality, with the ability to work effectively in an office-based environment five days per week.

Desirable Experience:

• Previous experience within the construction industry, including experience dealing with construction subcontractors and knowledge of CIS and construction-related VAT.
• Experience working with Quantity Surveyors or Commercial Teams, together with experience in supplier statement reconciliations and month-end procedures.

Key Skills & Attributes:

• Accuracy & Attention to Detail: Able to process a high volume of financial transactions accurately and identify discrepancies.
• Organisation: Able to manage approximately 600 invoices per month alongside daily payment runs and monthly reconciliations.
• Sage 50 & Excel: Confident using both systems, with good Excel reporting and data analysis skills.
• Communication: Able to communicate professionally and effectively with suppliers, Quantity Surveyors and colleagues across the business.
• Teamwork: Works well within a small Accounts Team and is willing to support colleagues when required.
• Initiative & Ownership: Able to work independently, take ownership of tasks and manage priorities effectively.
• Problem Solving: Able to investigate discrepancies, resolve queries and identify practical solutions.
• Time Management: Able to prioritise competing demands and consistently meet deadlines.

Working Environment & Company Culture

This is a full-time, office-based position in South Woodford, requiring attendance five days per week. You will be joining a small Accounts Team supporting an established £50m+ construction business. The role is hands-on and involves a significant volume of financial transactions, including approximately 600 supplier invoices per month, daily payment runs and monthly supplier reconciliations. Alongside the pace and responsibility of the role, the company places a strong emphasis on maintaining a great working culture. The environment is friendly, supportive and collaborative, with colleagues working together and supporting one another across the business. The successful candidate will be joining a team where people are valued, communication is encouraged and a positive attitude is important. The company offers the opportunity to become part of an established business while working within a close-knit and approachable team.