Finance Assistant

Vita Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Vita Recruitment is seeking a Finance Assistant to join the Accounts Team of an established construction business in South Woodford. This full-time, office-based role focuses on purchase ledger processing, supplier invoices, reconciliations and payments within a busy finance environment.

You will process around 600 supplier invoices per month using Sage 50, maintain CIS and VAT knowledge, and work closely with Quantity Surveyors and the Commercial Team.

Qualifications

• Current experience using Sage 50 within your finance/accounts role.
• Current experience working within the construction sector with suppliers/subcontractors.
• Experience in a Purchase Ledger/Accounts Payable/Finance Assistant role with high invoice volumes.
• Practical knowledge of CIS and construction VAT, and ability to resolve discrepancies.
• Experience with Quantity Surveyors/Commercial Teams and supplier reconciliations.
• Proficient Excel skills including Pivot Tables; attention to detail and organisation.

Responsibilities

• Monitor inbox and process approximately 600 supplier invoices per month, ensuring accuracy and coding.
• Check VAT/CIS status, code invoices on Sage 50, and route for approval.
• Amend invoices, resolve discrepancies and maintain records.
• Complete monthly supplier statement reconciliations and resolve items.
• Run daily supplier payments and handle payment queries promptly.
• Maintain Sage 50 data and produce reports using Excel; support accounts team as needed.

Skills

Sage 50

Construction sector experience

Purchase ledger processing

Excel Pivot Tables

CIS & VAT knowledge

Attention to detail

Tools

Sage 50

Job description

Due to the high level of interest in this position, we would kindly ask all applicants to please ensure they meet the essential requirements below before applying.

The ability to work fully office-based in South Woodford, Monday to Friday, 5 days per week, with a reasonable daily commute to the office. Current Sage 50 experience and current construction-sector experience are essential requirements for this position. Please ensure you have the required experience before applying.

Location: South Woodford, London
Salary: £35,000 £40,000 per annum
Job Type: Permanent, Full-time
Working Pattern: Office-based, Monday to Friday 5 days per week
Department: Accounts
Reporting to: Head of Finance

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING

Due to the high level of interest in this position, we would kindly ask all applicants to please ensure they meet the essential requirements below before applying.

Current Sage 50 experience and current construction-sector experience are essential requirements for this position. Please ensure you have the required experience before applying.

The successful candidate will need to have:

• Current experience using Sage 50 within their current finance/accounts role.
• Current experience working within the construction sector, with practical experience of dealing with construction-related suppliers and/or subcontractors.
• Previous experience in a Purchase Ledger, Accounts Payable or Finance Assistant role, including experience processing a high volume of supplier invoices.
• A good working knowledge of CIS and construction-related VAT.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, including Pivot Tables.
• The ability to work fully office-based in South Woodford, Monday to Friday, 5 days per week, with a reasonable daily commute to the office.

About the Role

We are looking for an organised, accurate and reliable Finance Assistant to join the Accounts Team of an established construction business with a turnover of £50m+.

This is a hands-on position within a small, close-knit finance team, with a primary focus on purchase ledger, supplier invoice processing, reconciliations and payments.

The successful candidate will be responsible for processing approximately 600 supplier invoices per month, ensuring invoices are accurately checked, coded, authorised and processed for payment.

You will work closely with suppliers, Quantity Surveyors, the Commercial Team and colleagues across the business. The role would suit someone who is already experienced within a construction finance environment, is confident using Sage 50, and enjoys working in a busy environment where accuracy and attention to detail are essential.

The business has a positive and supportive company culture, where teamwork, collaboration and professional development are valued. You will be joining a friendly team where people work closely together and support one another to achieve shared goals.

Key Responsibilities

Purchase Ledger & Invoice Processing

• Monitor the accounts email inbox and process approximately 600 supplier invoices per month, ensuring invoices are accurately checked, coded, authorised and processed efficiently.
• Check invoices for correct VAT treatment and CIS status, enter invoices onto Sage 50 with the correct nominal, project/cost coding and VAT treatment, and distribute them to the relevant Quantity Surveyor for approval.
• Amend invoices on Sage 50 following review, investigate and resolve invoice discrepancies and supplier queries, and maintain accurate electronic and accounting records.
• Download, print and scan invoices and supporting documentation as required.

Supplier Statements & Reconciliations

• Complete monthly supplier statement reconciliations, investigating and resolving discrepancies between supplier statements and the purchase ledger.
• Identify missing invoices, credit notes and payments, liaising with suppliers, Quantity Surveyors and internal colleagues to resolve outstanding items.
• Ensure the purchase ledger remains accurate and fully up to date.

Payments

• Complete daily supplier payment runs, ensuring payments relate to appropriately authorised invoices and checking payment information carefully for accuracy.
• Deal with supplier payment queries and resolve issues promptly, processing payments in accordance with company procedures and agreed timescales.

Sage 50, Excel & General Finance Support

• Maintain accurate purchase ledger information within Sage 50, ensuring financial transactions are correctly recorded, coded and maintained.
• Use Microsoft Excel, including Pivot Tables, to maintain, analyse and present financial information and produce reports using Sage 50 and Excel as required.
• Provide general accounting and administrative support to the Accounts Team and respond to supplier and internal finance queries professionally and promptly.
• Work closely with Quantity Surveyors and the Commercial Team and support other members of the Accounts Team when required.
• Maintain confidentiality of financial and commercially sensitive information, take responsibility for your own workload and meet agreed deadlines.

About You

Essential Experience & Skills

The following requirements are essential for this position:

• Current experience using Sage 50 within your current finance/accounts role.
• Current experience working within the construction sector, with practical experience of construction finance, suppliers and/or subcontractors.
• Previous experience in a Purchase Ledger, Accounts Payable or Finance Assistant position, including high-volume invoice processing.
• Practical knowledge of CIS and construction-related VAT, with the ability to investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• Experience working with Quantity Surveyors and/or Commercial Teams, together with experience of supplier statement reconciliations and payment runs.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, including Pivot Tables.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy, with strong organisational and time-management skills and the ability to manage a busy workload.
• Good communication skills and confidence dealing with suppliers and internal colleagues.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a small Accounts Team, while also taking ownership of your own workload.
• Ability and commitment to work fully office-based in South Woodford, Monday to Friday five days per week.

Please ensure that your CV clearly demonstrates your current Sage 50 experience and current construction-sector experience.

Working Environment & Company Culture

This is a full-time, fully office-based position in South Woodford, requiring attendance at the office five days per week, Monday to Friday.

There is no remote or hybrid working arrangement for this role. Candidates should therefore be able to make the journey to South Woodford comfortably and reliably every working day.

You will be joining a small Accounts Team supporting an established £50m+ construction business. The role is hands-on and involves a significant volume of financial transactions, including approximately 600 supplier invoices per month, daily payment runs and monthly supplier reconciliations.

Alongside the pace and responsibility of the role, the company places a strong emphasis on maintaining a great working culture. The environment is friendly, supportive and collaborative, with colleagues working together and supporting one another across the business.

The successful candidate will be joining a team where people are valued, communication is encouraged and a positive attitude is important.

If you have the relevant current Sage 50 and construction-sector experience, along with the purchase ledger and finance experience outlined above, we would love to hear from you.