Finance Assistant

Be part of a legacy that blends tradition, innovation and excellence – welcome to Laings.

With a reputation built on quality, trust, craftmanship and timeless design, Laings has continued to build on a rich heritage, whilst simultaneously investing in its future. With seven showrooms, we are proudly one of the largest independent family\-owned jewellers and purveyors of luxury watches in the UK. We carry forward a tradition of excellence in craftsmanship, outstanding customer care and a deep\-rooted history that anchors our Laings story.

With the sixth\-generation of the Laing family at the helm we are a family, a legacy and a community of passionate professionals that collaborate and contribute a wide range of skills and experience across all areas of our business. We offer supportive and inspiring environments, where expertise and personal connections flourish.

As you consider beginning your journey with us, know your enthusiasm and dedication will lead to growth, opportunity, and a fulfilling career. Bespoke training and career development are at the heart of our ambition; we aim to enhance your skills and provide you with access to leadership professionals, as you tell your story alongside ours.

*About You:*

*The Purchase Ledger Assistant will be responsible for supporting the effective operation of the accounts payable function, ensuring supplier invoices are processed accurately and in a timely manner. The role will involve working closely with colleagues across the business and with external suppliers to maintain accurate records, resolve queries and support the smooth running of payment processes.*

*What awaits you?*

Sales Ledger and Corporate Invoicing

· Generate sales invoices and credit notes accurately and in a timely manner for corporate customers.

· Process agreed customer and brand recharges, including recharges to brands such as Rolex.

· Issue monthly statements to corporate customers.

· Maintain accurate customer account records and supporting documentation.

· Review debit\-balance debtors and unallocated customer account balances each week, investigate issues identified and escalate unresolved matters to the Finance Supervisor where appropriate.

· Respond promptly and professionally to sales invoice and customer account queries.

· Investigate account discrepancies and escalate unresolved matters where appropriate.

Sales Reporting, Banking and Retail Finance

· Prepare accurate daily, weekly and monthly sales reports and reconciliations for issue to stores and other stakeholders as required.

· Complete VAT and export checks and ensure appropriate supporting documentation is obtained and retained.

· Complete the initial review of daily banking returns submitted by stores.

· Complete the second\-stage comparison of bank transactions against the relevant bank nominal ledger accounts, investigating and escalating differences as appropriate.

· Investigate differences identified through banking and sales reconciliations and escalate unresolved exceptions appropriately.

· Review V12 retail finance applications each week and investigate or escalate discrepancies identified.

· Prepare and reconcile buy\-in information against the relevant finance or stock system, investigating any differences.

· Prepare and reconcile weekly accounting entries relating to watch trade\-in transactions.

· Maintain clear and accurate records to support all sales, banking and retail finance reviews.

Expenses, Petty Cash and Employee Transactions

· Process employee expense claims accurately and in accordance with Company policy.

· Review supporting documentation and ensure appropriate authorisation has been obtained before expense claims are processed.

· Review and post monthly petty cash submissions from all stores in accordance with Company policy.

· Investigate incomplete, inaccurate or unsupported submissions and liaise with the relevant colleague or store to resolve queries.

· Respond promptly and professionally to employee and store queries relating to expenses and petty cash.

· Prepare and post company credit card reconciliations accurately and within agreed timescales.

· Maintain complete records and audit trails for all expense and petty cash transactions.

Purchase Ledger Support and Cross\-Cover

· Support the Purchase Ledger function with invoice processing and related administration as required.

· Match purchase invoices to delivery notes and other supporting documentation and process invoices within the finance system.

· Obtain appropriate authorisation for invoices and ensure they are processed within departmental deadlines.

· Assist with monthly supplier statement reconciliations and investigate differences identified.

· Respond professionally and courteously to supplier invoice and payment queries.

· Provide appropriate information and supporting documentation to help resolve supplier account queries.

· Provide cross\-cover and additional support to the Purchase Ledger team during periods of absence or increased workload.

Supplier Information and Payment Controls

· Support the maintenance of accurate and complete supplier records.

· Maintain and verify supplier information, including bank account details, in accordance with Company procedures and internal controls.

· Ensure appropriate supporting evidence and authorisation are obtained for requested changes to supplier details.

· Escalate unusual, incomplete or potentially unauthorised requests promptly.

· Maintain confidentiality when handling supplier, banking and commercially sensitive information.

Reconciliations, Financial Controls and Month\-End

· Maintain assigned nominal ledger and control accounts, completing reconciliations accurately and within agreed timescales.

· Analyse overhead nominal accounts to support the preparation of accruals and prepayments.

· Maintain the fixed asset register, review the accuracy of posted fixed asset invoices and post depreciation in accordance with agreed month\-end procedures.

· Investigate reconciling items and ensure these are resolved or escalated promptly.

· Assist with month\-end procedures, ledger reviews and other allocated finance activities.

· Complete financial processes in accordance with Company policies, delegated authorities and internal controls.

· Maintain accurate audit trails and supporting documentation for all transactions, reconciliations and journals.

· Escalate material discrepancies, unusual transactions and control exceptions to the Finance Supervisor or Finance Manager.

· Prepare reports and analysis as requested by the Finance Supervisor or Finance Manager.

Audit and Year\-End Support

· Assist with the year\-end audit process.

· Retrieve and prepare documentation requested by the external auditors or Finance management.

· Ensure information supplied for audit purposes is accurate, complete and appropriately

authorised.

· Respond to audit queries relating to allocated areas of responsibility.

· Support the timely resolution of outstanding audit information requests.

Stakeholder Management

· Develop positive working relationships with stores, colleagues, corporate customers, suppliers and other external stakeholders.

· Provide timely, accurate and professional responses to finance\-related enquiries.

· Work collaboratively with stores and departments to investigate and resolve financial discrepancies.

· Communicate clearly when additional information, documentation or authorisation is required.

· Escalate significant, unresolved or control\-related matters to the Finance Supervisor.

· Deliver a high standard of service to internal and external stakeholders, supporting the wider business objectives of Laings.

Continuous Improvement and Departmental Support

· Take responsibility for completing mandatory and role\-specific training, applying learning within the role and highlighting where additional guidance, training or support is required.

· Identify opportunities to improve finance processes, reporting and internal controls.

· Support finance system developments, process improvements and departmental projects as required.

· Assist with the maintenance and development of process notes and supporting documentation.

· Contribute positively to the ongoing development of the Finance team.

· Support other general Finance department activities where required.

· Assist the Finance Supervisor and Finance Manager with ad hoc projects and assignments.

*Attributes and Experience*

· Strong numerical skills and a high level of accuracy.

· Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills.

· Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.

· Strong written and verbal communication skills.

· Ability to manage a varied workload, prioritise effectively and meet deadlines.

· Ability to work accurately while managing competing priorities.

· Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and communicate effectively with colleagues across different locations.

· Professional, positive and proactive approach to work.

· Willingness and ability to learn and develop across different areas of finance.

· Strong problem\-solving skills and a willingness to investigate discrepancies.

· Ability to follow established procedures and recognise when matters require escalation.

· Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive financial, employee, customer and supplier information appropriately.

· Previous experience in a finance, accounts administration or transactional finance role.

· Experience working within a multi\-site retail or customer\-focused organisation.

*Why join us at Laings?*

We offer you an attractive package commensurate with experience, competitive salary and team commission structure. From unrivalled employee discounts and service recognition awards, Laings has built our approach to be

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