Accounts Administrator

Blue Arrow; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 34,207 - 41,808; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Disability Confident Employer

Job summary

Blue Arrow is seeking an Accounts Administrator on a fixed-term 12-month contract at Leyland, with travel to Thornton as required. The role covers payroll processing, purchase ledger and general ledger activities, and day-to-day financial record keeping for the Finance Department.

The successful candidate will have hands-on payroll experience, AAT Level 3 or equivalent, and familiarity with CODA or Iplicit and MS Excel. 37.5 hours per week, Mon-Fri, at the Leyland site.

Qualifications

• AAT Level 3 or equivalent experience.
• Strong understanding of the financial cycle and core finance processes.
• Experience with financial systems (CODA, Iplicit or similar).
• Knowledge of governance, segregation of duties, and internal controls.
• Understanding of procure-to-pay processes.
• Proven payroll experience, including payroll administration, processing payroll data, payroll reconciliations, and maintaining payroll records.
• Experience in purchase ledger, payroll, and general ledger activities.
• Strong IT skills, particularly Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Ability to prioritise workloads and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records in line with policies and procedures.
• Record financial transactions in ledgers and accounting systems.
• Process invoices, payments, and statements; process payroll data.
• Monitor KPIs, including payroll accuracy and reconciliations.
• Prepare, reconcile, and provide reporting of payroll data.
• Reconcile supplier statements to ledger records; manage expenditure trackers.
• Maintain master data changes and support cost centre budgeting.
• Assist with month-end procedures and management reporting.
• Participate in budget meetings and forecast information for cost centres.
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations, tax laws, and accounting standards.
• Maintain documentation to support audits and system improvements.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, including automation.
• Act as a point of contact for internal teams and external suppliers; resolve discrepancies.
• Monitor aged creditors and follow up on outstanding payments.

Skills

Payroll

Purchase ledger

General ledger

Procure-to-Pay

Excel

Internal controls

Governance

Payroll reconciliations

Communication

Education

AAT Level 3 or equivalent

Tools

CODA

Iplicit

Excel

Word

Job description

Accounts Administrator (Fixed Term - 12 Months)

Location:

Leyland site (PR26 6TB), with travel to Thornton site as required

Working Hours:

37.5 hours per week

Monday to Friday

Salary:

38,008.12 per annum

Job Summary

The Accounts Administrator will play a critical role in ensuring the accuracy and efficiency of financial operations. The post holder will be responsible for maintaining and reconciling purchase and general ledger accounts, administering payroll processes, and providing essential support to the Finance Department. Candidates must have previous hands-on payroll experience and be confident in processing payroll data, preparing payroll reports, and maintaining payroll records accurately.

This role requires meticulous attention to detail, strong organisational skills, and the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Records Administration

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records in line with policies and procedures
• Record financial transactions in ledgers and accounting systems
• Process invoices, payments, and statements
• Process payroll data
• Monitor KPIs, including first-time match rate and retrospective purchase orders

Preparation and Reconciliation of Financial Information

• Prepare, reconcile, and provide reporting of payroll data
• Reconcile supplier statements to ledger records
• Manage trackers to monitor expenditure for cost centre budgets and projects
• Maintain accurate documentation of master data changes
• Support reconciliation of cost performance to aid financial decision-making

Financial Reporting

• Assist with month-end procedures and management reporting
• Participate in monthly budget meetings with budget holders
• Prepare forecast information for designated cost centres
• Support ad hoc finance projects as required

Compliance and Regulation

• Ensure compliance with financial regulations, tax laws, and accounting standards
• Maintain accurate records and documentation to support audits and inspections

Systems Maintenance and Improvement

• Maintain integrity of financial systems through effective data management
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and implement efficiencies, including automation

Customer Service

• Act as a point of contact for internal teams and external suppliers
• Resolve invoice discrepancies and disputes promptly
• Monitor and report on aged creditors and follow up on outstanding payments

Essential Skills and Knowledge

• AAT Level 3 or equivalent experience
• Strong understanding of the financial cycle and core finance processes
• Experience with financial systems (e.g. CODA, Iplicit or similar)
• Knowledge of governance, segregation of duties, and internal controls
• Understanding of procure-to-pay processes
• Proven payroll experience, including payroll administration, processing payroll data, payroll reconciliations, and maintaining payroll records
• Experience in purchase ledger, payroll, and general ledger activities
• Strong IT skills, particularly Microsoft Excel and Word
• Ability to prioritise workloads and meet deadlines
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Desirable (Training Can Be Provided)

• Awareness of relevant legislation and compliance standards
• Experience supporting external audits
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• A proactive, safety-conscious mindset with a focus on continuous improvement

Blue Arrow is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to helping find great work opportunities for great people.