Purchase Ledger

Confidential; Shrewsbury; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Temp-to-perm route

Public sector experience

Job summary

Confidential in Shrewsbury is seeking a Purchase Ledger Assistant to join our public sector finance team on a 6-month temp-to-perm basis. You will own the purchase ledger, process invoices and supplier queries, and ensure VAT treatment and accurate coding.

This hybrid role offers a supportive environment, a clear route to permanency, and a salary between £26,000 and £28,000 per annum. You’ll collaborate with colleagues across the organisation to maintain robust supplier relationships.

Qualifications

• Experience in purchase ledgers or accounts payable is advantageous.
• Good Excel skills and ability to use accounting software.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Good communication with suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Processing invoices and credit notes from suppliers against POs and delivery notes.
• Allocating costs to budgets and correct nominal codes with VAT treatment.
• Sending invoices for sign-off and ensuring approvals follow procedures.
• Managing weekly/monthly BACS payment cycles for timely supplier payments.
• Creating new supplier accounts and updating records, checking bank details for fraud.
• Raising sales invoices and recharges where costs are recoverable.
• Handling supplier queries via phone and email professionally.
• Investigating missing/duplicate/ disputed invoices and credit notes.
• Reconciling supplier statements to the ledger and resolving differences.
• Reviewing utility bills and comparing with meter readings and tariffs.
• Tracking usage and spend across properties and offices.

Skills

Excel

Accounting software

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Tools

Accounting software

Job description

About the Business

A fantastic opportunity to join a well-established public sector organisation based in Shrewsbury as a Purchase Ledger Assistant, paying £26,000 - £28,000 per annum. This is a 6-month temp to perm role, giving you a clear route into a permanent position. You'll take real ownership of the purchase ledger and utility accounts, working in a close-knit, supportive finance team where accuracy and good supplier relationships really matter.

Main Duties:

• Processing invoices and credit notes from suppliers, checking each one against the relevant purchase order and delivery paperwork before it is posted
• Allocating costs to the right budget and nominal codes, applying the correct VAT treatment every time
• Sending invoices to the appropriate budget holders for sign-off, making sure approval limits and financial procedures are followed
• Running the weekly and monthly BACS payment cycles, making sure every supplier is paid correctly and on schedule
• Creating new supplier accounts and keeping existing records up to date, carrying out thorough checks on any bank detail changes to protect against fraud
• Raising sales invoices and recharges to partner organisations and other parties where costs need to be recovered
• Being the go-to contact for suppliers over the phone and by email, resolving their queries quickly and courteously
• Looking into missing, duplicated or disputed invoices and following up on outstanding credit notes
• Reconciling monthly statements from suppliers against the ledger and clearing any differences
• Reviewing gas, electricity and water bills for accuracy, comparing them with meter readings, tariffs and agreed contract rates
• Tracking usage and spend across properties, shared spaces and offices, spotting trends and anything out of the ordinary

Location / Office / Culture

The role is hybrid, based in Shrewsbury, giving you a good balance between time in the office and working from home. You'll join a friendly, collaborative finance team who work closely with colleagues right across the organisation. It's a role with genuine variety, combining day-to-day ledger work with utility analysis, and the temp to perm route gives you the chance to settle in, make your mark and secure a permanent place in the team.

What We Are Looking For

• Previous purchase ledger or accounts payable experience would be a real advantage, but it isn't essential. The role is pitched at a level that suits someone looking to build their experience, so we'd love to hear from candidates keen to learn and grow
• Experience dealing with supplier queries and reconciling supplier statements is desirable but not essential
• Good Excel skills and confidence using an accounting system
• A sound understanding of VAT on purchase invoices
• A high level of accuracy and attention to detail, with the ability to prioritise around payment deadlines
• Clear, polite communication skills on the phone and by email
• Experience checking or reconciling utility bills is desirable but not essential

Why Join the business

• Hybrid working
• Salary of £26,000 - £28,000
• Temp to perm with a clear route to a permanent role
• Stable, well-established organisation
• Varied role spanning purchase ledger, supplier queries and utilities
• Close-knit, supportive finance team