Senior Finance Assistant

This role is a 6 month Fixed Term Contract

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is the leading voice of 5.5 million small businesses and the self-employed across the UK. Since 1974, we've supported people to start, run and grow their own business. With market-leading benefits, local support, financial expertise, networking events and more, we provide our members with all the tools they need to succeed in business. We are also the UK’s leading business campaigner, focused on delivering change on issues that matter most. With teams across the UK, we work with governments and decision-makers to make real change happen.

We are currently seeking an experienced Senior Finance Assistant to provide a leading role in providing an efficient and effective purchase ledger accounting service within our Finance Team on a 6 months fixed term contract basis.

What will you do?

This is an interesting and varied role. The successful candidate will provide efficient and excellent purchase ledger accounting in compliance with financial policies and procedures.

Key Areas of Accountability include:

• Ensure the completeness of a creditors ledger for each company, which accurately reflects the liabilities of the organisation.
• Manage the ongoing administration of the Concur Invoice & Expense systems, including processing claims and keeping administration processes up to date.
• Prepare payment runs on a weekly basis or as required.
• Manage the purchase ledger reconciliation and resolve any discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Manage and resolve all exceptions and queries on purchase ledger.
• Process inward and outward post.
• Ensure that the supplier database is robust and accurate.
• Ensure that a robust audit trail is maintained for all purchase ledger invoices or expenses claims.
• Assist the purchase ledger team in completing tasks as may be required.

Who are we looking for?

The ideal candidate will have the following experience:

• A solid purchase ledger experience in a high-volume environment.
• Possess excellent numeracy skills.
• Willing to learn and adopt new processes and procedures.
• Effective communication with people at all levels, dealing with queries face to face, over the telephone and by written correspondence.
• Ability to work effectively in a team.
• Ability to plan and organise.
• The ability to work unsupervised to achieve departmental deadlines and objectives.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• The ability to proactively develop improvements to the role and processes and procedures it operates.

Desirable Experience:

• Experience of working with online expense software.
• Experience of working on a sales ledger/cashbook team.

Essential Qualifications:

• Education: A-levels or higher.

Desirable Qualifications:

• AAT qualified or equivalent relevant qualification.

FSB is dedicated to helping small businesses survive through these difficult times, and we value our staff enough to provide highly competitive rates of pay, benefits, and internationally recognised qualifications. We believe your work-life balance is important, so our working hours don’t include weekend or evening work. We provide you with all the tools, skills and support to help our members every day, and help you develop your skills through teamwork and relationship building. We believe diversity is the key to success, and we encourage people from all walks of life and backgrounds to come and join us. Our inclusive environment allows all our employees to bring their whole selves to work.

In addition to a fulfilling career with FSB, you’ll also benefit from:

• 26 days holidays per year (pro-rata) plus bank holidays with the option to buy 3 days with your Annual Flex Pot.
• Annual Flex Pot to spend on benefits including additional pension, additional holidays, additional critical illness cover, cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership.
• Health cash plan (Access to claim back numerous benefits, including towards dental treatment, optical, chiropody, physiotherapy, counselling, health and wellbeing).
• Critical illness and income protection insurance.
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Pay.
• Access to an employee assistance programme and mental health first aiders.
• Group Personal Pension (GPP).

*Applicable on completion of probationary period and subject to terms.

How to apply:

All applications to be received by 05 March 2025. Any applications received after this date will be held on file for a maximum of 6 months and reviewed if the first round of applicants are unsuccessful.

Additional information:

All applicants must be able to provide at interview stage their highest education certificates as listed on their CV and verification of their eligibility to work in the UK.

As an equal opportunities employer, FSB is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We believe there is a strong case for the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion agenda and aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace, where all employees can bring their whole self to work. We strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a range of backgrounds to apply and join FSB. Candidates with a disability who require reasonable adjustments should contact the HR department.

Applicants are advised to apply early. We reserve the right to close a vacancy prior to the closing date if a high number of applications are received. If you are successful and shortlisted for interview you will be contacted by email.