Description:
A long‑established and highly respected engineering manufacturer in Harlow is seeking an Accounts Assistant to join their finance team on a temp‑to‑perm basis. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to grow their finance career within a company that genuinely invests in its people. You’ll receive structured training, ongoing support, and clear progression opportunities as you develop.
The business is known for its technical excellence, strong values, and commitment to developing long‑term talent. You’ll work closely with the Financial Controller and gain hands‑on experience across transactional finance, payroll, and modern systems.
The Role
You will support core accounting functions including ledger management, weekly payroll coordination, and month‑end processes. The role also includes involvement in workflow improvements and supporting the introduction of new technologies, including AI‑driven tools.
Key Responsibilities:
Ledger Management
1. Manage the full Accounts Payable process and act as the main point of contact for supplier queries.
2. Process invoices, match to purchase orders, and resolve discrepancies.
3. Raise and issue customer invoices accurately and promptly.
4. Monitor aged debt and carry out proactive credit control.
5. Complete supplier statement reconciliations and internal ledger checks.
General Ledger & Month-End
6. Post daily bank transactions and complete reconciliations in Sage 50.
7. Assist with journal entries, accruals, and prepayments.
8. Prepare supporting schedules and investigate transactional queries during month-end close.
Weekly Payroll
9. Coordinate the weekly payroll process with an external payroll provider.
10. Extract and validate attendance data from the internal clocking system.
11. Reconcile data to ensure accuracy before submission.
12. Review payroll outputs, resolve discrepancies, and prepare BACS payments via NatWest Autopay.
13. Work to strict weekly deadlines to ensure timely and accurate payment.
Record Keeping
14. Maintain accurate, secure, and GDPR‑compliant financial and payroll records.
Systems & AI Integration
15. Work confidently across Sage 50, Excel, and manufacturing systems.
16. Support pilot projects to automate manual tasks using AI tools.
17. Suggest improvements to modernise workflows and enhance efficiency.
What We’re Looking For:
Technical Skills
18. Experience using Sage 50 Accounts is desirable.
19. Strong digital literacy and confidence working across multiple software platforms.
20. Good Microsoft Office skills, especially Excel.
21. Basic payroll knowledge is desirable.
Data Privacy & Professional Conduct
22. Ability to handle sensitive employee and financial data with complete confidentiality.
23. Strong integrity when managing payroll information and commercial records.
24. Commitment to secure record management and discreet communication.
Soft Skills & Values
25. Analytical mindset with strong attention to detail.
26. Adaptability and enthusiasm for learning new systems and tech