Sales Ledger Accounts Assistant

Purpose

To take ownership of accounts receivable and credit management activities, ensuring customer invoices, receipts and account records are processed accurately and on time. The role supports effective cash collection, strong customer relationships, reliable financial reporting and compliance with internal controls, while working closely with the Commercial Team and the Shared Service Centre (SSC) and wider business teams.

Key responsibilities

Accounts receivable and customer invoicing

• Raise customer invoices and credit notes accurately and on time.
• Submit customer invoices through online portals such as Coupa, Oracle and other customer-specific platforms.
• Maintain customer accounts and perform regular sales ledger reconciliations, investigating and correcting differences.
• Ensure customer master data held in the ERP system is accurate and up to date, liaising with the Master Data Management (MDM) team to coordinate any required updates or changes.
• Support the Shared Service Centre (SSC) and Commercial Team with the accurate and timely allocation of customer payments, including investigating and resolving unidentified or incorrectly allocated receipts.
• Issue customer statements and respond promptly and professionally to customer account and invoice queries.
• Provide ledger information required for VAT return preparation.
• Identify general ledger transactions relating to accounts receivable and either post them within the agreed authority levels or provide clear supporting information to the Financial Accountant.

Credit management and cash collection

• Proactively monitor aged debt and follow up overdue balances with customers to support timely cash collection and achievement of DSO targets.
• Maintain clear records of collection activity, customer commitments and disputed items, ensuring actions are followed through to resolution.
• Work closely with Customer Service / the Commercial team and other internal teams to resolve invoice disputes, pricing differences and missing documentation that may delay payment.
• Escalate significant overdue balances, customer disputes and other credit risks to the Line Manager and the Commercial team in a timely manner.
  Support reviews of customer credit information and credit limits, providing accurate account history and payment information where required.

Reporting, controls and wider finance support

• Prepare and analyse accounts receivable ageing reports and DSO measures, highlighting significant credit risks, disputes and overdue items.
• Support month-end and year-end close activities by completing reconciliations, providing supporting schedules and resolving outstanding ledger items.
• Provide complete and well-organised supporting documentation for internal and external audits, statutory reporting and tax reviews.
• Work closely with other stakeholders to resolve queries and improve the accuracy and timeliness of financial information.
• Contribute to finance projects, process improvements and the maintenance of effective internal controls.

Profile & Other Information

Essential

• Previous experience in a finance role.
• AAT Level 3 qualification or equivalent accounting experience.
• Good working knowlegde of Microsoft Office, in particular Excel
• Strong numerical and analytical skills, with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to organise and prioritise work effectively, meet deadlines and manage several tasks at the same time.
• Clear and confident communication skills, with the ability to build positive working relationships with customers and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, use initiative and take ownership of tasks through to completion.
• A proactive and collaborative approach, with the confidence to investigate issues and follow them through to resolution.
• Ability to handle confidential financial information with integrity and discretion.

Desirable

• Experience using finance systems such as Microsoft Dynamics AX, D365, TM1.
• Experience using customer invoicing portals such as Coupa, Oracle or similar platforms.
• Experience of cash collection, credit management and sales ledger reconciliations.
• Experience working with a Shared Service Centre or within a multinational organisation.