Purchase Ledger Clerk Location: Basildon, Essex Hours: 6-month maternity cover, 25 hours per week (MondayFriday, office-based) Salary: £16,045.27 per annum Our Mission We are a well-established UK-based importer and distributor of everyday value products, with over 50 years of trading history. Our mission is to source and supply products at the price and quality the market demands, delivering them to customers with speed, efficiency, and accuracy. About the Role We are seeking a Purchase Ledger Clerk to join our finance team on a fixed-term basis to cover maternity leave. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with previous experience in accounts or purchase ledger who enjoys working in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment. You'll play a key role in ensuring the smooth running of our supplier payments process, from logging invoices and reconciling statements to managing foreign payments and handling queries. Working closely with the Accounts team, youll help maintain accurate financial records and support the business in meeting its operational goals. Understanding the Finance Department The Finance team is responsible for maintaining accurate financial data and ensuring timely payments to suppliers. It focuses on: Invoice processing and coding Supplier statement reconciliation Foreign and domestic payment runs Bank postings and cash book management Query resolution and month-end accuracy Key Responsibilities Log all supplier invoices onto the accounting system and circulate for approval using correct codes Process foreign payments daily and prepare weekly BACS runs for UK suppliers Check and reconcile supplier statements Maintain up-to-date cash books and post payments in GBP, USD, and EUR Respond promptly and professionally to supplier queries Assist the Accounts team with ad-hoc tasks Ensure the purchase ledger is accurate and up to date at month end Skill Set Previous experience in purchase ledger or a similar finance role Strong computer skills, including MS Excel Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills Good interpersonal and communication skills