Purchase Ledger Clerk (AP Processing)

Happy Days Nurseries; Swindon; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mental health support

Generous annual leave

People's Pension

Life assurance

Job summary

Happy Days Nurseries is expanding and seeking a detail-oriented Purchase Ledger Clerk (AP Processing) to join our Accounts Payable team in Swindon. You will handle supplier invoices and credit notes, ensuring accurate postings and timely payments across our growing group of nurseries.

You will reconcile supplier statements, maintain the purchase ledger, and support the finance team with reliable reporting. Hybrid working will be available after the initial setup period, with a mix of office and

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a purchase ledger or accounts payable role.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
• Experience reconciling supplier accounts and resolving discrepancies.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage deadlines effectively.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Experience using Microsoft Excel and accounting systems.
• Good Excel skills and experience using finance systems such as Sage, Xero or similar.
• AAT qualification or equivalent experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Process supplier invoices and credit notes accurately and in a timely manner across all group companies.
• Reconcile supplier statements, investigate discrepancies and maintain an accurate, up-to-date purchase ledger.
• Monitor aged creditors, resolve reconciling items and ensure supplier records are maintained correctly.
• Build positive relationships with suppliers, nursery managers and budget holders, resolving queries professionally and efficiently.
• Ensure invoices are correctly coded, authorised and supported by appropriate documentation.
• Respond to supplier and internal enquiries via phone and email, providing excellent customer service.
• Maintain accurate records and audit trails to support compliance and reporting requirements.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Customer service

Number-driven

Education

AAT qualification or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Sage

Xero

Job description

Location: Swindon
Contract: Full Time - Permanent

Salary: Competitive, depending on experience

About Happy Days

Happy Days is growing, and we're opening a second support hub in Swindon. This new location will help us support our nurseries and early years teams as we continue to expand.

We're looking for a detail-oriented Purchase Ledger Clerk (AP Processing) to join our Accounts Payable team, supporting our growing group of nurseries.

In this role, you'll be responsible for the accurate and timely processing of supplier invoices and credit notes, helping to maintain a clean, accurate and fully reconciled purchase ledger across multiple entities. You'll play an important role in ensuring suppliers are paid correctly, records are maintained accurately and the finance team has reliable information to support decision-making.

Working closely with managers, suppliers and colleagues across finance, you'll help keep our accounts payable processes running efficiently while providing excellent customer service.

What You'll Be Doing

• Process supplier invoices and credit notes accurately and in a timely manner across all group companies.
• Reconcile supplier statements, investigate discrepancies and maintain an accurate, up-to-date purchase ledger.
• Monitor aged creditors, resolve reconciling items and ensure supplier records are maintained correctly.
• Build positive relationships with suppliers, nursery managers and budget holders, resolving queries professionally and efficiently.
• Ensure invoices are correctly coded, authorised and supported by appropriate documentation.
• Respond to supplier and internal enquiries via phone and email, providing excellent customer service.
• Maintain accurate records and audit trails to support compliance and reporting requirements.

About You

You’ll be organised, accurate and enjoy working with numbers and systems.

You’ll also have:

• Previous experience in a purchase ledger or accounts payable role.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
• Experience reconciling supplier accounts and resolving discrepancies.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage deadlines effectively.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Experience using Microsoft Excel and accounting systems.
• Good Excel skills and experience using finance systems such as Sage, Xero or similar.
• AAT qualification or equivalent experience is desirable.

What We Offer

We're proud to offer a supportive and collaborative working environment where people can develop and thrive.

Flexible Working

Once our new hub is established (typically after around six months), you'll be able to work in a hybrid way, with around three days in the office and two days from home.

Learning and Development

• Support with accounting CPD requirements.
• Opportunities to grow your career.

Health and Wellbeing

• Mental health and wellbeing support.
• Generous annual leave from day one.
• People's Pension.
• Life assurance.

Closing Date:

21st August

Interview Dates:

First Stage: 24 th August to 28 th August
Second Stage: 31 st August to 4 th September

Inclusion and Safeguarding

Happy Days is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Happy Days Nurseries is committed to safeguarding children. All offers of employment are subject to appropriate pre-employment checks, including verification of your right to work in the UK.