We’re First Central Insurance & Technology Group (First Central for short), an innovative, market-leading insurance company. We protect the things customers love so they can get on with what matters to them in life.
Data drives us. It fuels our outstanding distribution, finance, technology and legal services. Our underwriting skills are built on data expertise; it creates the insights we need to give the right cover to the right customers at the right price. But, it’s the people inside and outside our business that power us. They make us stand out, help us succeed. We’re ambitious. We’re growing. We’ve won awards.
Join us on this six month fixed term contract and make an impact from day one!
As the Purchase Ledger Lead, you'll be the go-to person for all things related to supplier invoices and payments, you'll keep the financial gears turning smoothly, making sure that our accounts payable function is in sync with our internal policies and procedures. Timely and accurate financial info? You bet! And those supplier invoices? You'll handle them with precision, executing weekly settlement runs like a well-oiled machine. Oh, and credit card programs? Yep, you'll manage those too—making sure expenses are uploaded pronto.
Working flexibly,you'llspend most of your time working from home, with a day a week in the office (living a commutable distance from Haywards Heath, West Sussex is a must for this role!). But of course,it’syour choice - if you prefer to be in the office more -that'sgood with us too.
You’ll be the perfect person for us if:
1. You're AAT Qualified (or equivalent) - Yep, you've got the financial chops! Whether it’s AAT or its equivalent, consider it checked.
2. Team Whisperer: you've led teams in the shared services arena. Think of it as the team conductor—keeping everyone in sync!
3. High-Growth Guru: Been there, done that! You thrive in environments where change is the name of the game.
4. Purchase Ledger Pro: Supplier invoices, managers, colleagues—You’ve got the whole purchase ledger dance down. Cha-cha-cha!
What's involved:
5. Ensuring accurate processing and approval of supplier invoices
6. Execute accurate and timely weekly settlement runs for supplier invoices and employee expenses
7. Manage the groups credit card programs to ensure credit card expenses are uploaded to the required systems and completed promptly. Close liaison with card holders required for any queries.
8. Ensure all daily, weekly and month accounts payable procedures are performed to support the SLA’s agreed with relevant business units
9. Handle queries and disputes with appropriate business engagement in a timely and professional manner
10. Attend meetings across the organisation to ensure operational functions are aware of reconciliation issues and promote timing resolution and safeguarding against future issues
11. Ensure proportionate reporting and oversight is supported for accounts payable activities that are operated both within and outside of finance
12. Provide analysis of creditor items showing monthly ageing and supporting business ownership for resolution
13. Identify and recommend process and system changes for first line control failures
14. Adherence to the Group accounting policies and procedures
15. Support activities in other finance teams as required
16. Senior contact for Operations / Suppliers and responsible for providing them with an efficient service
17. Conduct colleague management duties including: Delivering coaching and feedback to direct reports to achieve KPI’s and SLA’s, and conducting regular performance reviews, including probationary reviews and annual appraisals as necessary. Deal with all colleague issues including monitoring absence and conducting disciplinaries, Assist the recruitment process where necessary.
18. Maintain accurate and up to date Process Notes and ensure cross training is completed within the team
19. Responsible for the timely and accurate processing of the Finance Ops inbox, which consists of internal and external queries
20. Ensure compliance with company and other relevant standards / regulations at all times. Also, to ensure that your team are aware of their responsibility to identify and report risk.
21. Comply with the requirements, and act in accordance with, the Group Code of Conduct and Fitness and Propriety policies at all times
Experience, Knowledge & Skills
22. Preferable industry knowledge of the financial services / regulated industry in the UK
23. Awareness of internal and external fraud that is prevalent in finance departments and the financial services sector
24. Experience in running a team within a shared services function
25. Experience in organisations of high growth and change
26. Experience in purchase ledger functions,managers, colleagues and external suppliers
27. AAT qualified or equivalent, or significant relevant equivalent experience
28. Strong ability and preference in reconciliations of data and ability to summarise and present key findings
29. Strong analytical skills and ability to drive process improvement, based upon analysis of data
30. Work effectively under pressure and think clearly and logically in challenging situations
31. Proficient in Microsoft applications
32. A good level of oral and written communication skills, communicating effectively with managers, colleagues and external suppliers
33. Good time management and organisation skills
Behaviours
34. Results driven with a constant eye on the detail but understand the audience.
35. Empathetic approach to leadership with an ability to get the best out of a wide range of stakeholders.
36. A driven attitude to deliver controlled change and rapidly overcome obstacles.
37. An agile approach to project management and able to rapidly react to changes in business priorities to take advantage of emerging business and customer opportunities
38. Self-motivated and enthusiastic
39. An organised and proactive approach
40. Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
41. A flexible approach and positive attitude
42. Strives to drive business improvements to contribute to the success of the business
So, if you're up for being the driving force behind seamless supplier invoice management, you've got precision and expertise to ensure our financial processes run like clockwork - then get in touch and hit that apply button!
What can we do for you?
People first. Always. We’re passionate about our colleagues and know the best people deserve an extraordinary working environment. We owe it to them so that’s what we offer. Our workplaces are energetic, inspirational, supportive. To get a taste of the advantages you’ll enjoy, take a look at all our perks in full .
Intrigued? Our Talent team can tell you everything you need to know about what we want and what we’re offering, so feel free to get in touch.