Do you enjoy solving financial puzzles?
We’re looking for someone who takes genuine satisfaction in reconciling complex financial transactions, identifying discrepancies and seeing problems through to resolution. If you’re someone who naturally asks “Why doesn’t this balance?” rather than simply moving on, we’d love to hear from you.
As our Cash & Reconciliations Assistant, you’ll play a vital role in maintaining the accuracy and integrity of one of the Company’s busiest cashbooks, supporting transactions generated across our 37-branch network, online sales channels and central credit control.
This is far more than a transactional finance role. It offers genuine ownership, responsibility and the opportunity to develop your career within a large, successful and growing business.
About Howarth Timber & Building Supplies
Established over 180 years ago, Howarth Timber & Building Supplies is one of the UK’s leading independent timber and builders’ merchants. Proudly family owned, we operate from 37 branches across the UK and employ around 500 colleagues, supplying high-quality timber and building materials to trade and retail customers alike.
Our people are at the heart of our success, and we’re committed to supporting their development through training, career progression and opportunities to grow within the business.
Following successful completion of your probationary period, there may be the opportunity for hybrid working.
About the Role
Working within our Finance team and reporting to the Management Accountant, you’ll take ownership of the Company’s Number 2 Cashbook, ensuring high volumes of daily banking transactions are accurately reconciled and resolved.
The cashbook is the Company’s primary account for receiving daily branch takings and processes approximately 100–150 transactions each day from a variety of payment channels.
This is a role for someone who enjoys investigating discrepancies, communicating with colleagues to resolve issues and ensuring financial records remain accurate and complete.
Who this role would suit
This role would suit an experienced Accounts Assistant, Finance Assistant or Cashbook professional who enjoys investigating discrepancies, reconciling high volumes of financial transactions and taking ownership of complex reconciliations.
If you enjoy understanding how transactions flow through a business and take pride in seeing problems through to resolution, you’ll thrive in this position.
Whether you’re looking to build on your existing reconciliation experience or develop your finance career within a successful multi-site business, this role offers genuine opportunities for progression for the right individual.
Key Responsibilities
Your responsibilities will include:
- Performing the daily reconciliation of the Company’s Number 2 Cashbook, processing approximately 100–150 transactions each day.
- Reconciling receipts from multiple payment methods, including cash, branch card machine transactions, Pay by Link payments, BACS receipts, online webstore transactions and Pay by Bank refunds.
- Investigating and resolving reconciliation differences independently, taking ownership through to completion.
- Liaising with branch colleagues and, where required, customers to resolve outstanding queries.
- Ensuring reconciliation items are investigated and cleared within agreed month-end timescales.
- Preparing and submitting formal month-end bank reconciliations.
- Processing company credit card submissions for approximately 45–50 cardholders, ensuring receipts and supporting documentation are provided, transactions are accurately coded, company policies are followed, VAT requirements are considered and outstanding submissions are actively chased where required.
- Reconciling and maintaining key balance sheet control accounts, including inter-branch orders, petty cash, credit card control accounts and cashbook-related control accounts.
- Monitoring and resolving outstanding inter-branch transactions.
- Processing journals where required, including under and over adjustments and change order postings.
- Producing daily bank reconciliations and monthly balance sheet reconciliations.
- Supporting internal and external audit requests by providing reconciliation evidence and supporting documentation.
- Providing support and cover across the Finance team during periods of annual leave or absence.
- Contributing ideas to improve processes, strengthen financial controls and drive continuous improvement.
About You
We’re looking for someone who is naturally curious, methodical and takes pride in producing accurate work.
You’ll ideally have:
- Previous experience within an Accounts Assistant, Finance Assistant, Cashbook or Reconciliations role.
- Proven experience of carrying out complex, high-volume bank reconciliations.
- Excellent attention to detail and a high level of accuracy.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- The confidence to investigate discrepancies and work independently.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet daily and monthly deadlines.
- Strong communication skills and the confidence to build positive working relationships across multiple departments.
- A proactive approach with the initiative to take ownership of issues through to resolution.
- Good Microsoft Excel skills and confidence working with financial data.
Experience using Kerridge would be advantageous but is not essential, as full training will be provided.
Applicants studying towards an AAT qualification are encouraged to apply, and we actively support continued professional development.
What We Offer
In return, you’ll receive:
- The opportunity to join a successful family-owned business with over 180 years of heritage.
- Genuine opportunities for career development and progression.
- Study support for relevant professional qualifications.
- Hybrid working opportunities following successful completion of probation (subject to business needs).
- Staff Discount Scheme.
- Holiday Purchase Scheme.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Company Pension Scheme.
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Free on-site parking.
Ready to Join Us?
If you’re looking for a role where your attention to detail, investigative mindset and reconciliation skills can make a real impact, we’d love to hear from you.
Please submit your CV to be considered for this opportunity.
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
