Finance Assistant - Accounts Payable

Location:
Chessington

• Hours:
  
  30 - 37.5 hrs over 4 or 5 days
• Contract:
  
  Permanent
• Salary:
  Up to £32,000

• Generous pension
• Health cover
• Onsite parking

We are seeking an organised and reliable Accounts Payable Specialist to manage supplier payments, reconciliations and support month-end close activities. You will play a key part in timely and accurate transactional processing and will liaise with internal stakeholders and external advisors as needed. There are opportunities to work on finance projects and to gain experience with modern ERP systems.

• Maintain and monitor purchase ledgers across multiple entities
• Process regular and ad hoc supplier payment runs and reconcile supplier statements
• Ensure compliance‑related payments (e.g. PAYE, tax instalments) are processed accurately and on time
• Accurately code and process non‑manufacturing and intercompany recharge invoices
• Liaise with colleagues who manage manufacturing invoices to ensure correct processing
• Support group treasury activity (intercompany transfers, loan interest payments)
• Respond professionally to supplier queries by telephone and email
• Prepare and review balance sheet reconciliations and post assigned journals
  
  Support month‑end close to meet team deadlines
• Process employee expense claims and provide backup for sales‑ledger / cash handling tasks
• Occasional petty cash management and ad hoc finance support tasks

• Report to the Financial Controller
• Work closely with the Financial Accountant and the wider group finance team
• Regular interaction with purchasing, operations and manufacturing teams and occasional external advisors (e.g. auditors)

• Practical experience in accounts payable / transactional finance work
• Accurate, detail‑focused and comfortable investigating unusual items
• Strong communication skills and ability to work with colleagues across departments
• Able to work primarily on‑site
• Experience of modern accounting / ERP systems is an advantage
• Formal accounting qualifications are welcome but not essential — we value practical experience and a willingness to learn

• Supportive, collaborative finance team
• Hands‑on role with opportunities for project involvement and system exposure
• Office‑based role in an accessible location with a modern working environment

Optima Recruitment Limited are acting as a recruitment agency in relation to this vacancy and are an equal opportunities employer