Accounting Assistant

The Accounting Assistant will provide support to the Accounts Payable and Reporting functions within the Finance department

Job Purpose: The Accounting Assistant will provide support to the Accounts Payable and Reporting functions within the Finance department. This includes assistance with the processing and payment of all invoices within the company ledgers and support the Reporting Lead to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the financial reporting.
In addition, the Accounting Assistant will support to ensure that the ledger reconciles to the nominal ledger at all times and that all supplier statements are checked and accurately reconciled and the treasury function of the company, ensuring optimum levels of cash.
Roles & Responsibilities
General
To provide support for the following responsibilities:
• To ensure that the purchase ledger is closed off and reconciled within set Corporate deadlines.
• Ensure validity and accuracy of supplier balances by performing reconciliations of supplier statements and ledger balances on a regular basis.
• Perform final review and system posting of all supplier invoices ensuring accuracy of coding and supplier account allocation.
• Work closely with Invoicing and Operations Support Lead to ensure all costs associated with amounts invoiced to clients have been appropriately booked in accounts payable or accrued in line with company policy.
• Control all payments made to suppliers including manual cheque payments and direct bank transfers both in TT dollar and foreign currencies.
• Management of local petty cash.
• Monitor and control the level of unapproved invoices ensuring timely follow up and resolution of outstanding issues.
• Ensure that all procedures and processes are accurately documented and make suggestions for improvements.
• Effectively monitor all utility bills to ensure that they are paid when due.
• Preparation of monthly management reports and weekly cash flows for submission to the Accounting and Reporting Lead in the absence of the Accounts Payable Lead.
• Preparation of monthly accruals in the absence of the Accounts Payable Lead.
• Support the Accounting and Reporting Team Lead with the efficient provision of information for the external audit along with the preparation of audit schedules.
• Support the Accounting and Reporting Lead with the production of regular cash forecasts, co-ordinating and reviewing requisite inputs to ensure timely and accurate forecasts in support of optimal cash management and Group reporting requirements.
• Support to ensure that all statutory payments including Corporation Taxation and Green Fund Levy are accurately calculated and reported.
• Support with the preparation of the Company's Annual Corporation Tax Returns schedules.
• Support with the preparation of the bank and balance sheet reconciliation statements.
• Assist the Finance Manager on ad-hoc projects and liaise with other departments to provide accurate information when required.
• Other duties and projects as may be assigned by the Finance Manager.
Customer
• Ensure that customer needs are met at all times.
• Ensures that payments are made on time and suppliers are updated on payment runs and payments.
• Presents a positive image of the company through first class service delivery and customer engagement.
• Seeks to understand customer requirements and deliver services that are responsive to diverse customer needs.
• Develop and maintain effective customer relationships.
People
• Provides excellent customer service to both internal and external customers:
o Local Finance Team
o Management Team
o Budget holders
o Operations personnel
o Suppliers
o Banks
Qualifications/Experience
• ACCA qualified or currently pursuing
• 2 years’ accounting experience with knowledge of journal entry preparations and posting
• 4 years’ experience within an Accounts Payable function or similar environment and an understanding of underlying accounting concepts
• Intermediate excel skills
• Knowledge of AX Microsoft Dynamics
Minimum Competencies (Skills, Knowledge and Behaviours)
• Team player
• Ability to work on own initiative
• Confident when dealing with people of differing seniority both within company and third parties
• Strong appreciation for Customer Service
• Deadline oriented
• Analytical
• Problem solving
• High level of numeracy
• Attention to detail
• Positive approach to change and development
• Ability to multi task
• Must be flexible and able to work late/weekends/holidays when required
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion
HSEQ
• In partnership with the HSE department, ensure the continuous improvement of safety and environmental performance and compliance to all laws, regulations and industry standards/codes.
• Reports all incidents or breaches of policy or regulations.
• Fully endorse the the company ‘Stop the Job’ policy and commitment to proactive intervention where an unsafe act or condition is observed.
• Adherence to the company integrated management system ensuring document control and improvements to key processes is maintained.
• Ensure all work is carried out in a safe manner, always complies with HSEQ procedures, GLP, working instructions and safety standards.