Accounts Payable Assistant

Crawley; Crawley; Hybrid; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Hybrid working

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

Crawley Borough Council is looking for an enthusiastic Accounts Payable Assistant to join our busy Finance team. You will process invoices, resolve payment queries and support creditor processes while upholding financial governance.

In a supportive local government environment, you will collaborate with others, maintain accurate supplier records, and help drive improvements across our creditor workflow in a hybrid working setup.

Qualifications

• Experience in accounts payable or financial administration.
• Good numerical skills and high accuracy in processing transactions.
• Experience with financial systems and Excel.
• Ability to prioritise workloads and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Process supplier invoices and credit notes accurately and efficiently.
• Match invoices to purchase orders and investigate discrepancies.
• Maintain supplier accounts and ensure records are up to date.
• Reconcile supplier statements and resolve outstanding items.
• Assist in creditor payment runs.
• Respond to supplier and departmental enquiries professionally.
• Monitor mailboxes and queues to maintain service standards.
• Support month-end and year-end financial activities and controls.
• Contribute to process improvements and efficiency initiatives.

Skills

Numerical accuracy

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Time management

Teamwork

Prioritisation

Education

AAT qualification

Tools

Excel

ERP system

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and detail-focused Accounts Payable Assistant to join our busy Finance team.

Reporting to the Accounts Payable Manager, you will play a key role in delivering an efficient and customer-focused accounts payable service, ensuring suppliers are paid accurately and on time while maintaining the highest standards of financial governance and control.

Working within a supportive local government environment, you will be responsible for processing invoices, resolving payment queries, reconciling supplier accounts, and supporting the continuous improvement of creditor processes.

Key responsibilities:

• process supplier invoices and credit notes accurately and efficiently
• match invoices to purchase orders and investigate discrepancies
• maintain supplier accounts and ensure records are accurate and up to date
• reconcile supplier statements and resolve outstanding items
• assist in the preparation and processing of creditor payment runs
• respond to supplier and departmental enquiries in a professional and timely manner
• monitor shared mailboxes and workflow queues to ensure service standards are met
• support month-end and year-end financial activitiesensure compliance with our Financial Regulations, procurement procedures, and internal controls
• contribute to service improvement initiatives and the development of efficient working practices

About you:

You will be a proactive and organised individual with a strong attention to detail and commitment to delivering excellent customer service.

• experience of working in an accounts payable, finance, or financial administration environment
• good numerical skills and a high level of accuracy when processing financial transactions
• experience of using financial systems and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel
• ability to prioritise workloads and meet deadlines in a busy environment
• strong communication and interpersonal skills
• ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently when required
• experience of working within local government or the wider public sector
• knowledge of purchase-to-pay processes and financial controls
• experience of using ERP financial systems
• AAT qualification or willingness to study towards a finance qualification

Additional information

What we offer:

• membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
• generous annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements where appropriate
• learning and development opportunities
• a supportive and inclusive working environment

Crawley is a great place to work, with a thriving business district and excellent transport connections including nearby Gatwick Airport. We are based in our modern Town Hall which opened in 2023 and is located a short walk from the town centre and railway station.

Employee benefits

We offer a generous employee benefits package , with a range of discounts, benefits and wellbeing incentives to suit everyone.

At Crawley Borough Council, you will have access to a structured programme of learning from day one, designed to help you succeed in your role and grow your career.

Local government reorganisation

Local government reorganisation (LGR) is planned across Sussex, with new unitary authorities expected by 2028. While this represents a significant change for councils, most roles will continue to focus on delivering vital services to our residents and business communities. As the future structure evolves, our name may change, but our commitment to providing excellent services and supporting our employees will not. Joining us now means being part of a dedicated team during an important and evolving time for local government.

Our way of working

Our shared values and behaviours reflect the special nature of our council. We encourage all colleagues to put them into practice, whatever job they do. Take a look to see if we are the perfect match.

Safer recruitment

Crawley Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer of first choice reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all under represented groups.