Accounts Assistant

Job Title: Accounts Assistant – Accounts Payable

Department: Finance

Reports to: Financial Accounting Manager

Location: Guildford, on site

Job Type: Contract – 6 months / Full-time

Role Purpose

Due to an internal promotion, we are looking for a proactive and detail-oriented Finance Assistant to support the Accounts Payable function within our busy finance team. Working in a fast-paced environment, you will be responsible for processing of supplier invoices, supplier payments, reconciliations, bank postings, staff expenses and month-end activities, ensuring financial accuracy and strong internal controls across the business.

The ideal candidate will have previous experience in Accounts Payable, excellent organisational skills, and confidence working with multi-currency transactions in an engineering or manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Process supplier invoices accurately and in a timely manner

• Prepare and process weekly and monthly supplier payment runs, including international payments

• Keep supplier ledger aging within terms and obtain resolution on outstanding debit balances/refunds due

• Verify supplier bank account details

• Perform supplier statement reconciliations and resolve invoice discrepancies

• Maintain accurate supplier records and respond to supplier queries professionally

• Post daily bank transactions and reconcile bank accounts

• Review and process staff expenses in accordance with Company Policy

• Support month-end close activities, including preparation of accruals and prepayments; and processing related journals

• Process and reconcile multi-currency transactions

• Assist in maintaining supplier ledger integrity and audit trails

• Assist with audit preparation and provide supporting documentation when required

• Liaise with procurement, operations and engineering departments regarding purchase orders and invoice approvals

• Support the transition to S4Hana (ERP System) and contribute to system testing during upgrades

• Ensure compliance with company procedures, financial policies, and internal controls

• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the finance department

• Assist with ad hoc finance and reporting duties as required

Skills and Experience Required

Technical Skills

• Proven previous experience in an Accounts Payable role

• Experience working within engineering, manufacturing, or project-based environments preferred

· Proficient in Excel (pivot tables, lookups) and comfortable with integrated ERP systems.

· Experience with SAP‑based systems or similar: SAP Business One / S4Hana / SAP Concur highly desirable.

• Strong understanding of supplier reconciliations and payment processing

• Experience handling multi-currency transactions

• Good knowledge of accounting principles and internal financial controls

Personal Attributes

• Highly organised, reliable and able to prioritise multiple tasks and close deadlines

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy

• Excellent communication both written and verbal

• Team player with a flexible and proactive approach

Qualifications

• GCSEs (or equivalent) including Maths and English