Job Title
Finance Officer
Location
Denbigh Head Office
About us
Lock Stock Self Storage is the largest container storage company in the UK. We are a modern, dynamic and growing business operating across multiple sites, providing storage solutions to a wide range of customers.
About the role
We are looking for an experienced Finance Officer to take day-to-day ownership of core finance operations across six group companies. Based in person at our Denbigh Head Office (this is not a remote role) and working within a small team, you will be a trusted and hands-on member of the finance function, ensuring that banking, ledger activity, supplier payments, customer refunds and tax-related processes are accurate, timely and well controlled.
This is a role requiring sound accounts experience, confidence working across multiple legal entities and the judgement to manage priorities independently. You will also act as the first point of contact for all banking matters and build effective relationships with banks, colleagues, suppliers, customers and professional advisers.
Key Responsibilities
· Own the day-to-day banking arrangements for all six group companies, including online banking administration, account maintenance, payment controls and resolution of banking queries.
· Act as the first point of contact for banks and other financial service providers, coordinating documentation, mandates, user access and information requests.
· Manage daily cash positioning and bank reconciliations across the group, investigating and resolving discrepancies promptly.
· Own the sales ledger, including allocation of customer receipts, control account reconciliations, aged debt review and the timely resolution of account queries.
· Manage purchase payment runs across the group, checking that invoices and approvals are complete, maintaining appropriate segregation of duties and ensuring suppliers are paid accurately and on time.
· Process and control customer refunds, verifying entitlement and approval before payment and maintaining a clear audit trail.
· Chase outstanding company credit-card receipts from cardholders, check that supporting documentation is complete and post the transactions accurately and promptly into Sage.
· Process recurring customer payment collections and investigate rejected or unmatched transactions.
· Prepare and liaise with external accountants to review relevant tax returns, and maintain accurate supporting records in line with statutory deadlines.
· Maintain strong financial controls and accurate accounting records across all six companies, identifying issues and recommending practical improvements.
· Support month-end and year-end close through reconciliations, ledger reviews, journals and preparation of supporting schedules.
· Respond to finance-related queries from customers, suppliers and colleagues, escalating material issues appropriately.
Skills & Experience
Essential
· Solid practical accounts experience, ideally gained in a multi-company or group environment.
· AAT qualified, studying towards AAT, or able to demonstrate an equivalent level of competence through relevant experience.
· Hands-on experience of online banking, bank reconciliations, sales ledger and supplier payment processes.
· Experience preparing tax returns with a good understanding of supporting records and deadlines.
· Strong understanding of financial controls, authorisation processes and the importance of a complete audit trail.
· Confident Excel and accounting-system skills, with the ability to reconcile and investigate financial information accurately.
· Practical experience using Sage Line 50 and Sage 200, including the accurate posting and reconciliation of credit-card transactions.
· Excellent attention to detail, sound judgement and the ability to manage competing deadlines without close supervision.
· Clear, professional communication skills and the confidence to deal directly with banks, advisers, customers, suppliers and senior colleagues.
Desirable
· Working across several legal entities with intercompany transactions and reconciliations.
· Improving finance processes and controls in a growing owner-managed business.
Personal Attributes
· Discreet, trustworthy and consistently professional when handling confidential financial, commercial and personal information.
· Accountable and dependable, with a strong sense of ownership and a commitment to seeing tasks through to completion.
· Organised and methodical, able to prioritise effectively and maintain accuracy when working across six group companies.
· Confident and tactfully persistent when following up missing credit-card receipts or other financial information.
· Calm and solutions-focused, using sound judgement to resolve issues and knowing when to escalate material concerns.
· Approachable and collaborative, able to build constructive working relationships while maintaining appropriate financial controls.
Salary & benefits
- £34,000 - £38,000 depending on experience
- You will be joining a strong, well-connected and supportive team
- You will be working in a large, spacious, modern office with refreshments included (during office attendance)
- Free on-site parking
- 28 days annual leave, increasing incrementally to 33 days after five years’ service
- Additional 1.5 days leave in December (Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and Christmas party day)
- Your personal development is important to us and training will be provided
- Your pay will be reviewed annually
- 5 days paid sickness leave per year
- We hold at least two fully paid social events each year
Pay: £34,000.00-£38,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Bereavement leave
- Canteen
- Company events
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
