Job Overview
The Finance Assistant - Sales and Purchases is responsible for managing and coordinating the sales and purchasing activities for the C3IA group of companies. The role involves ensuring the smooth day-to-day operation of transactional finance, including purchase ledger, sales ledger, reconciliations and supporting the production of accurate and timely reporting. The role will also be responsible for maintaining strong relationships with suppliers and customers, and supporting the Delivery team to achieve business objectives.
The Finance Assistant - Sales and Purchases will be the main point of contact for all after sales and purchasing enquiries.
Sales Ledger Coordination:
* Coordinate with the Delivery teams to manage customer order processing, raising invoices, and where applicable, delivery scheduling through our own systems and customer platforms.
* Maintain accurate sales records and generate sales reports as required.
* Handle customer enquiries and resolve issues related to sales orders and invoices.
* Receive and reconcile customer payments.
* Initiate and manage credit control.
Purchase Coordination:
* Prepare and process purchase orders to support business delivery and operation.
* Process supplier invoices accurately and in a timely manner.
* Ensuring correct coding of costs to projects and cost centres.
* Managing supplier statement reconciliations and receiving payments.
* Prepare routine supplier payment runs and dealing with queries promptly.
* Process employee expense claims in accordance with company policy.
Relationship Management:
* Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and customers.
* Monitor customer and supplier performance and escalate any issues that arise to the Finance Controller.
* Support the commercial and delivery teams.
Administrative Support:
* Maintain and update internal systems with relevant sales and purchase information.
* Assist in the preparation of sales and purchase forecasts and budgets.
* Assist with Finance Controller with the quarterly VAT returns and annual audits.
* Produce and maintain external reporting requirements.
* Support the Finance Controller with administrative tasks as needed.
Knowledge and Experience:
* At least two years demonstrable experience of recent sales and purchase ledger process is essential.
* Experience of general bookkeeping is essential.
* Experience of working with QuickBooks or Sage is preferred.
* Must hold or be able to obtain UK Security Clearance as a sole UK national.
Qualifications:
* Working towards AAT qualification (or equivalent experience)
Required Skills:
* Professionalism – acting as the first port of contact for the sales and purchasing function and providing effective support to all stakeholders.
* Confidentiality – handling sensitive personnel and business information in a discrete way whilst always maintaining compliance with GDPR.
* Effective Communication – the ability to manage relationships and communicate professionally with stakeholders of all levels of seniority.
* Organisation skills – the ability to manage a varied workload whilst ensuring accuracy and attention to detail.
* Prioritisation and time management – autonomously manage your own time and activities, ensuring that tasks are delivered in line with deadlines and that stakeholder expectations are managed when issues arise.
* Problem solving – the ability to proactively anticipate issues and face challenges with an open mind. Approach issues in a timely manner with a solution focused approach.
* The ability to use Microsoft office tools to an intermediate level.
At C3IA, all employees are required to obtain the appropriate level of security clearance relevant to their role. As a trusted provider of expertise and solutions to government clients, certain positions may also be subject to specific nationality requirements in accordance with government restrictions.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £27,000.00-£29,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Company car
* Company pension
* Cycle to work scheme
* Free parking
* Life insurance
* On-site parking
* Private medical insurance
* Sick pay
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 19/09/2025