Accounts Assistant - Contract

*This role sits inside IR35

Job Title: Accounts Assistant - Accounts Payable

Department: Finance

Reports to: Financial Accounting Manager

Location: Guildford, on site

Job Type: Interim - 3 months - 7.5 hours per day Monday to Friday

Role Purpose

We are looking for a proactive and detail-oriented Accounts Assistant to support the Accounts Payable function within our busy finance team. Working in a fast-paced environment, you will be responsible for processing of supplier invoices, supplier reconciliations, bank postings, staff expenses and administration activities, ensuring financial accuracy and strong internal controls across the business.

The ideal candidate will have previous experience in Accounts Payable, excellent organisational skills, and confidence working with multi-currency transactions in an engineering or manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the Finance Outlook inbox

• Process supplier and contractor invoices accurately and in a timely manner

• Review and process staff expenses in accordance with Company Policy

• Post daily bank transactions and reconcile bank accounts

• Process and reconcile pre-paid card transactions

• Keep supplier ledger aging within terms and obtain resolution on outstanding debit balances/refunds due

• Verify supplier bank account details

• Open and distribute the daily post

• Perform supplier statement reconciliations and resolve invoice discrepancies

• Maintain accurate supplier records and respond to supplier queries professionally

• Support month-end close activities, including updating of currency exchange rates and following up on timesheet bookings

• Liaise with procurement, operations and engineering departments regarding purchase orders and invoice approvals

• Ensure compliance with company procedures, financial policies, and internal controls

• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the finance department

• Assist with ad hoc finance and reporting duties as required

Skills and Experience Required

Technical Skills

• Proven previous experience in an Accounts Payable role

• Experience working within engineering, manufacturing, or project-based environments preferred

· Proficient in Excel (pivot tables, lookups) and comfortable with integrated ERP systems.

· Experience with SAP‑based systems or similar: SAP Business One / SAP Concur highly desirable.

• Strong understanding of supplier reconciliations and payment processing

• Experience handling multi-currency transactions

• Good knowledge of accounting principles and internal financial controls

Personal Attributes

• Highly organised, reliable and able to prioritise multiple tasks and close deadlines

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy

• Excellent communication both written and verbal

• Team player with a flexible and proactive approach

Qualifications

• GCSEs (or equivalent) including Maths and English