Accountant

Accountant Southend-on-Sea | Mon – Fri 8:00am – 4:00pm 37.5 hours (flexible on hours) Purpose of the Role The Accountant will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Finance Department, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting. This role is responsible for preparing financial, management, treasury, and other accounting reports as required by senior management. Key Responsibilities Accounts Payable & Receivable Enter purchase ledger invoices and payments Process supplier non-purchase order invoices requiring authorisation Prepare manual foreign currency payment requests Reconcile supplier statements and investigate discrepancies Handle supplier queries, including late payment enquiries Upload sales ledger invoices and record cash entries Monitor and chase overdue customer accounts Issue sundry invoices (e.g., scrap sales, miscellaneous recharges) File sales and purchase ledger invoices Banking & Cash Management Monitor and print daily bank statements Reconcile bank statements to nominal ledger Process miscellaneous and petty cash payments, including employee expenses Record cash book payments and receipts Manage banking activities including deposits and foreign currency collection Oversee invoice factoring accounts Update and control daily cash flow Set up and authorise online payments for suppliers and miscellaneous expenses Reporting & Analysis Prepare and distribute stocktake sheets; analyse results Update foreign currency exchange rates in Sage Prepare monthly Profit & Loss reports, including reconciliation of sales, stocks, metal costs, and other expenses Compile monthly Balance Sheet from Trial Balance, including reconciliation and write-up of nominal ledger accounts Process monthly payroll as required Generate Sales Analysis and Gross Margin reports Complete financial government returns Reconcile PAYE, NI, pension contributions, and other payroll deductions monthly Prepare and submit VAT returns to HMRC online Process Duty Drawback Claims Audit & Compliance Liaise with internal and external auditors during interim and final audits Provide requested documentation and information Implement audit recommendations What you’ll need Formal accounting qualifications Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) Experience with Sage 50, Sage 200, and Sage 50 Payroll Strong background in purchase and sales ledger Exceptional attention to detail Ability to analyse and interpret financial data and procedures Excellent verbal and written communication skills Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise workload Self-motivated and capable of working independently and as part of a team Confident, enthusiastic, and flexible approach Ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently Methodical and calm under pressure Previous supervisory experience What’s in it for you? Monday to Friday 8:00pm – 4:00pm 37.5 hours per week with 30 minutes lunch. Flexible on hours. Salary £40,000 to £45,000 depending on experience Free onsite parking Holiday entitlement Pension Scheme