Accounts Manager

Haywood Recruitment Limited; Colmworth; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vitality Private Healthcare

31 days holiday

Fully office-based role

Job summary

Haywood Recruitment Limited is seeking an experienced Accounts Manager to own the day-to-day finance function for a market-leading supplier of non-mechanical plant and equipment. You will oversee transactional finance, reconciliations, credit control, banking, supplier and customer accounts, and month-end support.

Working closely with sales, operations and external accountants, you will drive accurate invoicing, cash collection and reporting in a fast-paced environment, ensuring compliance and

Qualifications

• Experience in a broad accounts/finance role with day-to-day ownership of financial processes.
• Knowledge of purchase ledger, sales ledger, bank reconciliation, credit control and month-end processes.
• Xero experience is highly desirable.
• Experience with online banking, card expenses and business payment processes.
• Accountancy qualification preferable but not essential; relevant practical experience considered.

Responsibilities

• Own day-to-day accounts administration across the business.
• Reconcile and administer business bank accounts and online banking activity.
• First point of contact for Bank Managers and liaise with external accountants.
• Allocate and reconcile in Xero across entities to support month-end.
• Process AP/AR transactions and supplier reconciliations.
• Manage accounts inbox and GRV invoices with PO/docs.
• Process and reconcile payments via Xero and AMEX; month-end accuracy.
• Manage AMEX expenses and Starling card, with reconciliation.
• Run invoices for hire and sales; maintain daybook and accuracy.
• Credit control and aged debt management.
• Upload invoices to Tradex and Coupa; ensure proformas paid.
• Coordinate HMRC actions for Elite entities; CIS matters.
• Support stock transfers and valuation reporting.

Skills

Broad accounts / finance experience

Credit control & month-end

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

AAT / ACCA / CIMA qualification preferred

Tools

Xero

Point of Rental

Tradex

Coupa

AMEX

Starling

Job description

We are working with a market-leading supplier of non-mechanical plant and equipment for sale and hire. Servicing the Construction, Civil Engineering and Utility sectors, the business supplies products including Traffic Management Barriers, Hoarding and Fencing Systems, Temporary Access Mats and Portable Roadways, Height Restriction Kits, Trench Covers and Trench Sheets, and more.

We are now seeking an experienced, hands-on Accounts Manager to take ownership of the day-to-day finance function and support the wider business. This is a varied role combining transactional finance, reconciliations, credit control, banking, supplier and customer account management, month-end support and team coordination. The successful candidate will be proactive, highly organised and comfortable working in a fast-paced, reactive environment where accuracy and follow-through are essential.

Customer and financial records are maintained using Xero alongside Point of Rental, the company’s hire management system. The role works closely with sales, purchase ledger, customer service, operational teams, external accountants and banking contacts.

Key Responsibilities

• Ownership of day-to-day accounts administration across the business, ensuring accurate records and smooth financial processes.
• Administration and reconciliation of business bank accounts, with responsibility for current and online banking activity.
• Acting as a first point of contact for Bank Managers and liaising with external accountants as required.
• Allocation and reconciliation in Xero across Elite and associated business entities, supporting accurate month-end accounts.
• Processing and managing accounts payable and accounts receivable transactions, including purchase ledger queries and supplier reconciliations.
• Managing the accounts inbox and processing GRV purchase invoices, ensuring purchase orders and supporting documentation are in place and resolving discrepancies with internal teams and suppliers.
• Preparing and processing business bill payments through Xero and AMEX, with accurate reconciliation for month end.
• Managing AMEX expenses and the Starling business card, including expense tracking and reconciliation.
• Running invoices for hire and sales, maintaining the invoice/daybook process and ensuring transactions are recorded accurately.
• Credit control and proactive management of aged debtors, including customer account applications and credit checks/processes.
• Uploading and maintaining invoices on customer portals such as Tradex and Coupa.
• Ensuring proforma invoices are paid prior to dispatch.
• Damage reporting for hire equipment and raising associated invoices.
• Driving internal teams to provide the correct sales/hire advice notes, contracts, PODs and POCs to support accurate invoicing and financial records.
• Coordinating HMRC correspondence and actions for Elite and associated entities, including CIS-related matters and Gov notifications.
• Processing and coordinating internal business transactions and international payments.
• Completing PPQ documentation and supplier/customer account forms.
• Stock transfers, purchasing and valuation reporting, together with support for stock takes and stock reconciliation processes.
• Providing guidance and support to colleagues, helping to ensure finance-related tasks are completed accurately and on time.
• Assisting customer service and operational teams where required, including raising sales orders and purchase orders and coordinating transport.

Skills & Experience

• Previous experience in a broad accounts, finance or accounts management role, with confidence taking ownership of day-to-day financial processes.
• Good working knowledge of purchase ledger, sales ledger, bank reconciliation, credit control and month-end processes.
• Confident using accounting software; Xero experience is highly desirable.
• Experience working with online banking, card expenses and business payment processes.
• An accountancy qualification (e.g. AAT, ACCA or CIMA) would be preferable, but is not essential; relevant practical experience will also be considered.
• Comfortable using Microsoft Office and office-based business systems; experience of hire management software such as Point of Rental would be advantageous.
• Strong numerical accuracy and attention to detail, with the ability to identify and resolve discrepancies.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills, with confidence liaising with customers, suppliers, colleagues, accountants and banking contacts.
• Ability to prioritise a varied workload, work independently and support a small team in a fast-paced, reactive environment.
• A practical, hands-on approach with the confidence to follow up outstanding information and drive tasks through to completion.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary of £35,000-£45,000 per annum, dependent on experience.
• Vitality Private Healthcare
• 31 days holiday (including Bank Holidays)
• Permanent, full-time position, Monday to Friday.
• Fully office-based role.
• A supportive team environment and a varied role within a growing, market-leading business