As the company continues to grow, we are working to introduce greater structure, stronger processes and improved management information across all areas of the business.
We are seeking an experienced and commercially aware Accounts Manager to take responsibility for overseeing the company’s accounts function. This is a key new position that will provide the successful candidate with the opportunity to review existing procedures, introduce improvements and help shape the future financial management of the business.
Purpose of the Role
The Accounts Manager will take ownership of the day-to-day accounts function, with assistance and support from the General Manager.
The successful candidate will ensure that the company’s financial records are accurate and up to date, while providing management with the information required to make informed business decisions.
A particular focus of the role will be management accounts, cashflow forecasting, credit control, VAT and PAYE reconciliations, financial controls and improving the company’s overall cash position.
An Office Junior currently processes purchase invoices, issues sales invoices and sends customer statements. The Accounts Manager will oversee and support this work while taking responsibility for the wider accounts and financial management function.
Key ResponsibilitiesManagement Accounts and Reporting
- Prepare accurate monthly management accounts.
- Produce monthly profit and loss reports, balance sheets and supporting financial information.
- Develop a structured and consistent month-end reporting process.
- Monitor financial performance against budgets, sales targets and previous periods.
- Investigate and report on significant financial variances.
- Provide clear and practical financial information to the General Manager and Managing Director.
- Assist with the preparation of annual budgets and financial forecasts.
- Support management with business planning and financial decision-making.
- Liaise with the company’s external accountant regarding year-end accounts and statutory requirements.
Cashflow and Cash Management
- Prepare and maintain weekly, monthly and longer-term cashflow forecasts.
- Monitor the company’s current and projected cash position.
- Identify potential cashflow pressures at an early stage.
- Work with the General Manager to develop and implement measures to improve the company’s cash position.
- Monitor money due from customers and payments due to suppliers.
- Plan supplier payment runs in line with available cashflow and agreed payment terms.
- Monitor customer deposits, staged payments and outstanding balances.
- Ensure completed products awaiting payment, collection or delivery are actively monitored.
- Provide management with regular cashflow updates and recommendations.
Credit Control
- Take responsibility for the company’s credit control procedures.
- Review aged debtor reports and ensure overdue balances are followed up promptly.
- Oversee the issuing of customer statements and payment reminders.
- Contact customers regarding overdue accounts when required.
- Review customer credit limits and payment terms.
- Identify accounts that may present a financial risk to the company.
- Work with management to reduce debtor days and improve the collection of outstanding balances.
- Escalate serious or disputed accounts to the General Manager.
- Maintain accurate records of credit control communication.
Sales and Purchase Ledgers
- Oversee the accounts duties completed by the Office Junior.
- Ensure purchase invoices are processed accurately and allocated to the correct supplier, nominal code and project where applicable.
- Ensure sales invoices and credit notes are raised accurately and promptly.
- Review customer and supplier account balances.
- Ensure supplier statements are reconciled and discrepancies resolved.
- Maintain accurate aged debtor and aged creditor reports.
- Ensure appropriate approval is received before supplier payments are processed.
- Provide support, guidance and training to the Office Junior.
- Provide cover for essential accounts duties when required.
Banking and Reconciliations
- Complete or oversee regular bank reconciliations.
- Reconcile company credit cards, finance accounts and other balance sheet accounts.
- Monitor banking activity and ensure all transactions are recorded correctly.
- Investigate and resolve unreconciled or unusual transactions.
- Maintain accurate records of loans, hire purchase agreements and other financial commitments.
- Ensure financial records agree with bank and supplier information.
VAT, PAYE and Payroll
- Prepare, review and submit accurate VAT returns within the required deadlines.
- Complete VAT reconciliations and maintain appropriate supporting records.
- Oversee the company’s PAYE, National Insurance and pension obligations.
- Prepare or review payroll information before submission.
- Ensure wages, deductions, holiday pay and pension contributions are recorded correctly.
- Liaise with the company’s payroll provider and HMRC when required.
- Ensure statutory payments and submissions are completed accurately and on time.
- Keep up to date with relevant VAT, PAYE and payroll requirements.
Financial Controls and Process Improvement
- Review the company’s existing accounts procedures and identify areas for improvement.
- Introduce greater structure and consistency across the accounts function.
- Develop clear written procedures for key accounts activities.
- Strengthen controls relating to purchasing, invoicing, credit control and payments.
- Ensure financial transactions are properly authorised and supported by appropriate documentation.
- Improve the accuracy and availability of financial information.
- Support the development of job costing, project costing and profitability reporting.
- Assist with improving stock, work-in-progress and purchasing controls.
- Identify opportunities to use accounting software and technology more effectively.
- Ensure financial records are retained in line with statutory and company requirements.
- Support the company’s ISO 9001 procedures where they relate to accounts and administration.
General Duties
- Work closely with the General Manager, Managing Director and other department heads.
- Build a strong understanding of the company’s manufacturing processes, products and customers.
- Provide financial guidance and support to management when required.
- Liaise professionally with customers, suppliers, accountants, auditors, HMRC and other external organisations.
- Maintain strict confidentiality regarding company, employee and customer information.
- Assist with other reasonable accounts and financial duties appropriate to the position.
Essential Criteria
The successful candidate should have:
- Previous experience in an Accounts Manager, Senior Accounts or similar financial role.
- Strong practical experience preparing management accounts.
- Experience producing and maintaining cashflow forecasts.
- Experience preparing VAT returns and VAT reconciliations.
- Experience dealing with PAYE, payroll and pension information.
- Strong knowledge of sales and purchase ledgers.
- Experience managing credit control and overdue customer accounts.
- Experience completing bank and balance sheet reconciliations.
- Strong Microsoft Excel and accounting software skills.
- Excellent attention to detail and a high level of accuracy.
- Strong organisational and time-management skills.
- The ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.
- The confidence to identify financial issues and recommend practical solutions.
- The ability to explain financial information clearly to non-financial managers.
- A high level of integrity, discretion and commercial awareness.
- The ability to work independently and take ownership of the accounts function.
Desirable Criteria
- A recognised accounting or bookkeeping qualification, such as AAT, IATI, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent.
- Part-qualified, fully qualified or qualified-by-experience candidates will be considered.
- Previous experience using Sage accounting software.
- Experience working within a manufacturing, construction or engineering business.
- Experience with job costing, stock control and work-in-progress reporting.
- Previous experience supervising or supporting junior accounts staff.
- Knowledge of the accounting, VAT and payroll requirements applicable to a Northern Ireland business.
- Experience helping a growing business introduce improved financial structures and controls.
Personal Qualities
The successful candidate will be:
- Proactive, dependable and well organised.
- Confident taking ownership and accepting responsibility.
- Commercially aware and focused on improving business performance.
- Comfortable reviewing current practices and recommending change.
- Able to introduce structure while working within a family-run business.
- Supportive and patient when overseeing junior staff.
- Capable of building positive working relationships across the company.
- Able to balance attention to detail with an understanding of the wider business.
- Committed to confidentiality and professional standards.
What JLM Composites Offers
- A key role within an established and growing family-run company.
- The opportunity to shape and improve the company’s accounts function.
- Direct involvement in financial planning and business decision-making.
- Support from the General Manager and Managing Director.
- A varied role with genuine responsibility and scope for development.
- A supportive working environment.
- A competitive salary based on experience and qualifications.
Pay: £36,000.00-£42,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
