Finance Assistant

Reed; Cobham; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible part-time hours

On-site parking

DBS check

Job summary

Reed is looking for an experienced Finance Assistant (Temporary) to join the team in Cobham. The role is part-time (approximately 15 hours per week), 100% office-based with a flexible pattern across three days.

You will manage purchasing, invoicing, supplier management and system administration while supporting a significant finance system implementation project. DBS check required, parking on-site.

Qualifications

• Previous purchase ledger, accounts payable, or finance administration experience.
• Experience processing purchase orders and invoices.
• Good understanding of the procure-to-pay process.
• Desirable: education sector experience, IMP system, public sector procurement knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Purchasing: Process purchase orders and allocate expenditure to budgets.
• Invoicing and payments: Process supplier invoices and match to POs.
• Supplier management: Set up suppliers and maintain records, verify related-party suppliers.
• Systems and administration: Support system users and improve financial processes.
• Audit and compliance: Assist with year-end and audit documentation.

Skills

Purchase ledger experience

Accounts payable

Finance administration

Vendor liaison

Education

Experience in education sector (desirable)

Tools

IMP finance system

Job description

Finance Assistant (Temporary)

• Job Type: Part-Time (Temporary)
• Hours: Approximately 15 hours per week, potentially more
• Location: Cobham, Surrey (Parking available on site)
• Flexible Working Pattern: Ideally across 3 working days- 100% office-based

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Finance Assistant to join a busy and supportive finance team within a growing educational organisation. This role is ideal for someone with strong purchase ledger and finance administration experience who enjoys working independently and building positive relationships with staff and suppliers. The organisation is currently implementing a new finance system, offering a great chance to contribute to a significant period of development and transformation.

Day-to-day of the role:

Purchasing

• Process purchase orders in line with financial regulations and procedures.
• Review and amend coding to ensure expenditure is allocated correctly against budgets.
• Investigate costs and identify opportunities to achieve value for money.
• Act as the first point of contact for finance-related enquiries.
• Support staff with raising and tracking orders, supplier selection, and procurement queries.
• Liaise professionally with suppliers, contractors, budget holders, and external organisations.

Invoicing and Payments

• Process supplier invoices accurately and within agreed payment terms.
• Match invoices to purchase orders and goods received records.
• Monitor outstanding goods received notes and resolve discrepancies.
• Assist with preparing payment runs and supporting BACS payment processes.
• Handle supplier and staff queries relating to invoices and payments.
• Process staff expenses and maintain accurate records.
• Issue remittance advice and sales receipts where required.

Supplier Management

• Set up new suppliers, ensuring all required documentation is completed.
• Maintain and review supplier records.
• Verify related-party suppliers and escalating where necessary.
• Ensure IR35 checks are completed and appropriately recorded.

Systems and Administration

• Support user administration for purchasing systems.
• Deliver training to new system users where required.
• Maintain electronic financial records and ensure documentation is accurately attached to transactions.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of financial systems and processes.

Audit and Compliance

• Support internal and external audit requirements.
• Prepare and provide documentation in line with year-end and audit schedules.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Previous purchase ledger, accounts payable, or finance administration experience.
• Experience processing purchase orders and invoices.
• Good understanding of the procure-to-pay process.
• Desirable: Experience in the education sector, using the IMP finance system, and knowledge of public sector procurement processes.

Benefits

• Flexible part-time hours across 3 days per week.
• Involvement in a significant finance system implementation project.
• Long-term temporary assignment expected to continue until at least Easter, with the potential to extend further.
• On-site parking available.
• Additional Information
• Basic DBS check required.