We are a well-established specialist food retail and wholesale business with over 50 years of trading history and six stores across London. Due to our continued growth, we are seeking to recruit two Accounts Assistants to join our busy Head Office Finance team.
Working alongside an experienced Accounts Supervisor and Accounts Assistant, and reporting directly to the Finance Manager, you will play a key role in supporting the day-to-day financial operations of the business. The successful candidates will interact with store employees, suppliers, customers, and colleagues across the wider organisation.
Key Responsibilities
Purchase Ledger
•Match purchase invoices to delivery notes, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
•Investigate and resolve invoice discrepancies with stores and suppliers.
•Process and post supplier invoices using Sage 200.
•Ensure correct store coding on invoices to support branch accounting.
•Process returns and ensure supplier credits are received.
•Reconcile supplier statements on a monthly basis.
•Assist with ad hoc accounts administration duties as required.
Sales Ledger
•Maintain and update customer accounts within the Sales Ledger.
•Reconcile and post cash and card receipts from retail stores.
•Reconcile end-of-day reports and Sage polling across all branches.
•Proactively chase overdue customer accounts and collect outstanding payments.
•Produce and issue monthly customer statements.
•Conduct credit checks for new customer applications.
•Monitor customer credit facilities and prepare reports.
•Administer customer membership card accounts.
Payroll
•Process high-volume four-weekly payrolls from start to finish using Sage 50 Payroll.
•Administer workplace pension and auto-enrolment processes.
•Review weekly working hours and liaise with managers to resolve discrepancies.
•Process salary, wage, and contractual changes.
•Calculate holiday entitlements and maintain accurate employee records.
•Liaise with HMRC and pension providers where required.
•Assist with payroll reporting and compliance activities.
Essential Skills and Experience
•Previous experience working within a busy accounts department.
•Experience in Purchase Ledger and/or Sales Ledger.
•Strong numerical, analytical, and reconciliation skills.
•Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
•Ability to process high volumes of transactions efficiently.
•Strong communication and customer service skills.
•Professional and confident telephone manner.
•Basic to intermediate Microsoft Excel skills.
•Experience dealing with suppliers and customer queries.
•Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.
Desirable Skills and Qualifications
•Experience using Sage 200.
•Experience using Sage 50 Payroll.
•Previous experience within a retail, wholesale, or multi-site business environment.
•Part AAT or ACCA qualified (or currently studying).
•Ability to speak Mandarin or Cantonese.
Personal Attributes
•Excellent numeracy skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
•Well organised and capable of managing workloads effectively, particularly during month-end and year-end periods.
•Comfortable handling high volumes of transactions on a daily basis.
•Friendly, professional, and able to work collaboratively as part of a team.
•Positive, proactive, and committed to delivering high-quality work.
Additional Requirements
•Must have the legal right to work in the UK without sponsorship.
What We Offer
This is an excellent opportunity to join a successful and growing business, offering a varied and hands-on role across Purchase Ledger, Sales Ledger, and Payroll within a supportive and experienced finance team.
If you are looking to develop your accounting career within a dynamic retail and wholesale environment, we would be delighted to hear from you.
