Finance Assistant

Job description

Position: Finance Assistant
Grade: Supervisor
Salary: £28,288 per annum
Hours: Full time.
Contract type: Permanent
Responsible to: Director Of Finance Operations
Location: In the building. Hybrid working option available (part working in the building and part remote). This post is not suitable for full remote working.

Purpose of job

The Finance Assistant is part of the Watershed Finance Team. Their role primarily consists of processing payments to suppliers, staff and grantees; bank reconciliations and processing sales invoices and receipts. The post holder also supports the team with basic journal processing and reconciliations.

The post holder will join the team at an exciting time as we are going through a period of finance transformation including migrating accounting systems from Sage 50 to Xledger. There will be opportunity to build on previous finance experience and increase knowledge of accountancy. 

Main responsibilities

• Maintenance of the purchase ledger. Ensuring all supplier records are accurate and up to date, entry of purchase invoices, reconciliation of supplier statements.
• Download reports for weekly/monthly payments of suppliers and upload via bank transfer (BACS) ready for authorisation.
• Upload BACS payroll data to HSBC for authorisation.
• Maintaining Finance MS Outlook in-boxes on a daily basis. The postholder will deal with supplier queries and internal departmental queries.
• Processing of purchase invoices and expenses and preparation of payment runs.
• Processing daily takings from the Box Office and cover for Café & Bar. Timely preparation, checking and posting of journals for daily returns.
• Daily reconciliation of Watershed bank accounts.
• Monthly reconciliation of company credit card statements.
• Maintenance of the sales ledger including raising invoices and credit control.
• Assisting members of the finance team in the production of monthly management accounts, income reports, year-end accounts and other reports as required.
• Assisting as necessary with audit queries for Watershed group of companies.
• Providing basic training to Watershed staff on processes for claiming expenses, raising purchase and sales orders.

Key performance indicators

• Purchase & sales orders and purchase & sales invoices are processed accurately and efficiently.
• Payments are made on time and records are maintained accurately.
• Daily takings, cash and bank accounts are accurately reconciled daily with discrepancies resolved to time.
• Sales ledger and credit control kept up to date.
• Watershed staff and external customers are met with a friendly, efficient and helpful attitude.
• Queries and information requests are handled with a high level of customer service.

Essential criteria

• Previous experience of working in a similar role with the ability to multi task.
• An understanding of basic accounting processes and procedures.
• Ability to learn new systems and familiarity with MS Office products including Excel.
• Interest in developing finance skills and knowledge.
• Awareness of how to provide a high level of customer service.

Application process

Closing date: Mon 21 Jul, 17:00 BST

We will be conducting short interviews with all applicants who meet the essential criteria. A shortlist will then be invited to a longer second interview.

First round interview / presentation (if relevant): Fri 25 July

Second round interview: Thu 31 July