Finance Assistant (fixed-term, maternity leave cover) Here at AIS, we have an exciting opportunity available for a Finance Assistant to join our Finance team based in Solihull. You will join us on a full-time, fixed-term basis for up to 12 months. In return you will receive a competitive salary. AIS is the UK's and Ireland's leading fashion, home and leisure buying group with a membership of 280 independent department stores and specialist retailers. We're a membership of buying power, creativity an expertise! As our Finance Assistant you will report directly to the Senior Finance Assistant and work alongside the wider Finance team to provide administration support across all function to achieve the AIS Strategy. The Finance Assistant role plays a pivotal part in ensuring that the Finance Department works efficiently and effectively, to support both the wider business, and our Members. If you’re someone who thrives in a fast-paced and client-facing finance environment and enjoys supporting a team to deliver outstanding results, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. Main Duties and Responsibilities: • Work collaboratively with the Senior Finance Assistant to drive high levels of engagement across the Finance Department and its systems. • Support the Senior Finance Assistant by providing administration for new financial support services that AIS can provide centrally to benefit our members. • Work with all merchandise areas across the business to support them with customer, member and supplier relationships. • Process supplier documents, raise customer invoices and deliver quality customer support. • Prepare payment runs for suppliers and employee expenses. • Submit payments and direct debits for the whole department to the bank and complete bank reconciliations within required timeframes. • Undertake credit control duties to ensure all monies are collected when due. • Develop relationships with customers, members and suppliers to ensure any queries or issues are dealt with in a proactive manner and changes in circumstances are reported as quickly as possible. • Ensure Finance policies and procedures are adhered to. • Undertake any other duties as may, from time to time, be required by the Company. Experience: • Previous experience in a finance role, dealing with transactional level documents and queries. • Good working knowledge of Excel and MS Office applications. Personal Attributes, Skills & Behaviours: • Working towards a finance qualification (AAT/CIMA/ACCA) is desired. • Excellent verbal and written communication skills. • Enthusiastic, self-motivated, proactive, and diligent. • Effective interpersonal skills ensuring queries are dealt with efficiently and with tact. • Attention to detail with a high standard of accuracy for all work. • Excellent organisational and time-management skills, ability to prioritise multiple tasks. • Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment. • Strong interpersonal and customer service skills with a high level of professionalism. • Able to work under pressure to meet deadlines. Benefits| Rewards| Wellbeing: 25 days holiday bank holidays (in a full leave year, pro rata for part time employees) Opportunity to buy additional annual leave (up to 10 days per leave year for full-time, permanent employees) Birthday leave - no one should work on their birthday so have the day off on us! Company pension scheme Employee Wellbeing Scheme & Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) Cycle to work scheme Charity / Volunteering Leave Free employee parking Onsite catering service (subsidised rate for employees) Access to discounts and staff sales Employee engagement calendar and activities throughout the year If you feel you have the skills and experience needed to become the Finance Assistant at AIS, then please click 'apply' today! We'd love to hear from you.