Book keeper Job at Harlow, Essex Full Time

We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Bookkeeper to join our small friendly team within a fast-paced distribution business.
This is a varied and hands-on role that offers the opportunity to play a key role in maintaining accurate financial records, managing supplier and customer accounts, supporting stock control processes, and ensuring robust financial controls are in place.
The successful candidate will enjoy investigating discrepancies, reconciling accounts, and supporting continuous improvements to processes and systems. You will work closely with the Finance Manager as well as operational teams including Procurement and Stores, making strong communication and organisational skills essential.

Key Responsibilities
Purchase Ledger & Stock Control

• Process supplier invoices using 3-way matching (Purchase Order, Goods Received Note and Invoice)
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies relating to pricing, quantities and foreign exchange differences
• Ensure stock is recorded at the correct cost within the accounting system
• Liaise with Procurement and Stores teams to resolve stock and invoice queries
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date supplier records

Sales Ledger & Credit Control

• Monitor customer accounts and track outstanding balances
• Perform customer account reconciliations
• Follow up overdue invoices in a professional and timely manner
• Investigate and resolve customer queries and disputes
• Accurately allocate customer receipts
• Build and maintain positive customer relationships to support prompt payment

Reconciliations & Financial Controls

• Complete supplier account reconciliations
• Perform regular bank reconciliations
• Support customer account reconciliations

Bank & Cash Management

• Post and allocate bank transactions
• Support weekly and monthly payment runs
• Manage bank feeds and ensure transactions are accurately recorded
• Process cash and credit card expenses, ensuring VAT is correctly accounted for

General Bookkeeping & Finance Support

• Maintain accurate accounting records using Sage 50 Accounts
• Post journals including accruals, prepayments, fixed assets and adjustments
• Support month-end accounting processes
• Assist with process improvements and system efficiencies
• Support the Finance Manager with ad hoc finance duties as required

Essential Skills & Experience

• Previous experience in a Book keeper or similar finance role
• Strong working knowledge of Sage 50 Accounts
• Experience completing:
• Supplier reconciliations
• Bank reconciliations
• Customer reconciliations
• Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet management
• Good Excel skills, including sorting, lookups and basic formulas
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills