Join Our Team as a Finance Assistant
Location: Office based at Claughton near Lancaster - driving licence essential
Who We Are
By way of introduction we are Europe's leading supplier of modernist culinary equipment. Based in Lancaster, we distribute all over the World to aspirational chefs and foodies who enjoy cooking, who strive for consistency and accuracy whilst always looking to further refine their cooking skills.
Founded in 2011 we’re a food and technology company with the aim of empowering people to produce the highest quality food and beverages in their own homes and restaurants. We are on a mission to help both home and professional chefs cook smarter by offering the widest choice of sous vide equipment, making us the one stop shop for all your needs.
We are looking for a hands-on, practical Finance Assistant to join our finance team.
This is a varied role within a busy trading/manufacturing environment, and would suit someone who enjoys getting stuck in, solving problems and being involved in different areas of finance rather than being restricted to one particular part of the accounts function.
You will work closely with the Financial Controller and wider finance team, supporting the day-to-day running of the finance function while developing a good understanding of how the numbers connect to the wider business.
No two days will necessarily be the same. One day you could be dealing with purchase invoices and supplier queries; the next you could be helping with a bank reconciliation, stock information, credit control or preparing information for month-end.
Key responsibilities
Purchase & Sales Ledger
- Processing and posting purchase invoices
- Matching invoices to purchase orders and delivery documentation where appropriate
- Posting sales invoices and credit notes
- Processing refunds and adjustments
- Maintaining accurate supplier and customer records
- Dealing with supplier and customer invoice queries
- Investigating discrepancies and resolving issues promptly
Banking & Reconciliations
- Posting and reconciling daily bank transactions
- Assisting with bank reconciliations
- Investigating and resolving differences
- Processing routine finance transactions
- Supporting payment runs and ensuring payment information is accurate
Credit Control
- Monitoring customer accounts
- Following up outstanding invoices
- Sending statements and dealing with customer queries
- Escalating overdue or problematic accounts where appropriate
- Helping maintain accurate debtor records
Month-End Support
- Assisting with the month-end close
- Preparing reconciliations and supporting schedules
- Posting journals where appropriate
- Providing information and analysis to the Financial Controller
- Helping ensure finance records are complete and accurate
Stock & Operations
- Assisting with stock reconciliations and stock administration
- Investigating differences between physical and system stock
- Supporting stocktakes
- Working with operational and warehouse teams to resolve discrepancies
- Developing an understanding of the financial impact of stock movements
General Finance Support
- Assisting with VAT and other financial information requirements
- Supporting invoice finance and trade finance administration
- Maintaining organised finance records and documentation
- Assisting with audit/accountant information requests
- Helping improve finance processes and controls
- Providing holiday and absence cover across the finance function
- Taking on other finance-related tasks as required
About you
We're looking for someone who is practical, reliable and willing to get stuck in.
You will ideally have:
- Previous experience within an accounts or finance environment
- Good understanding of basic accounting principles
- Strong attention to detail
- Good Excel skills
- Good organisational and time-management skills
- Confidence dealing with customers, suppliers and colleagues
- Ability to investigate problems and find solutions
- Ability to prioritise in a busy environment
- A willingness to learn and take on new responsibilities
- A positive, flexible and "can-do" attitude
AAT qualification or equivalent experience would be advantageous, but attitude, practical ability and willingness to learn are equally important.
Experience of Sage 200 would be beneficial but is not essential.
The person we're looking for
We're a hands-on business, so we're looking for someone who is happy to roll their sleeves up and get involved.
You won't be expected to know everything on day one. What matters is that you're willing to learn, ask questions, take ownership and understand that sometimes the job is simply about getting stuck in and helping the team get things done.
You should be someone who:
- Doesn't wait to be told every little thing
- Spots something that doesn't look right and investigates it
- Is comfortable working across different areas of finance
- Can work independently but knows when to ask for help
- Takes pride in getting things right
- Is happy to support colleagues when workloads change
- Wants to understand the business rather than just process numbers
What we offer
This is an opportunity to join a growing business and become an important part of a small, supportive finance team.
You will have the opportunity to develop your accounting knowledge and gain exposure to a broad range of finance activities, including month-end, stock, cash management, trade finance and invoice finance.
The role offers genuine variety and the opportunity to take on additional responsibility as your experience develops.
Reporting to
Financial Controller
On going training and support
Please call 01524 770060 and ask for Shona Paterson or email [email protected]
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From £29,000.00 per year
Experience:
- Accounting: 1 year (preferred)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
