Job detail for Finance Assistant

This is a highly visible and business critical role in the Payments team within the P2P function. This role involves collecting, processing, and presenting accurate financial data and responsible to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the processes, troubleshooting problem areas as well as identifying opportunities for improvement. You’ll also directly interact with the internal stakeholders, sites, and project accountants to ensure our processes, procedures, SLAs and KPIs are being met. A broad understanding of the Accounts Payable processes is a key component of the role.

For Internal Reference: Generic Job Description - FINI01 - Finance Assistant.pdf

• Payment Processing: Ensure invoices are paid timely and accurately while adhering to payment schedules and standard company policies and procedures. 
• Review and reconcile supplier statements, investigate & resolve discrepancies, and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Process BACS, faster payments, CHAPs and administer payment approvals, queries & mailbox management.
• Work closely with Supplier Master Data team to ensure accurate vendor records to allow smooth payables processing.
• Follow up inputs and deliverables from the relevant stakeholders.
• Process CIS verifications as required.
• Ensure the accuracy of company’s financial documents for payment, auditing, and tax purposes.
• Protect the business against unintentional overpayments and fraudulent payments.
• Support the documentation and execution of internal controls over the payables cycle.
• Identify and drive process improvement within the team and be involved in the execution of corresponding projects.
• Assist Accounts Payable manager with ongoing transformation and continuous improvement projects.
• Provide support and analysis of all outgoing payments to Record-to Report (R2R) team for weekly and monthly cash flow forecasting including bank reconciliations.
• Offer support as team cover to continue delivery of team core activities.
• Ad hoc tasks relevant to the role as required by the AP Manager, P2P Manager and/or Head of Finance Shared Services.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Experience

• Experience in a P2P function, preferably in a Shared Services environment.
• Broad understanding of the P2P accounts payable processes.
• Collaborating with stakeholders, sites and project accountants and communicating payment insights.
• Open to change and integration of finance systems and processes.

Skills

• Ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines.
• Must have a desire to learn, work independently, and possess strong problem-solving skill.
• Ability to multitask, be flexible and prioritise effectively in a busy, dynamic environment, demonstrating a willingness to tackle challenges.
• Strong analytical skills with excellent attention to detail and an ethical approach to data including respecting the confidential nature of information and the associated decision making.
• Highly organised and professional with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Intermediate Excel skills preferred – v-look up, Pivot etc.
• Ability to think strategically, challenge current processes and introduce improvements.  Excellent interpersonal skills, fostering good team spirit and collaboration among diverse stakeholders.

Personal Attributes

• Self-motivated and a self-starter, with the ability to build positive relationships.
• A positive can-do attitude, especially when faced with challenges and time constraints.
• Hands on approach to Operational Finance.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and help others to do so.
• Set and achieve high standards for themselves and for others, takes personal accountability for results, and monitors performance against pre-set objectives and performance standards.
• Identifies, anticipates, and navigates problems and obstacles to performance in an orderly and calm manner. Responds creatively to personal and team challenges.
• Communicates openly and honestly with others, listens to differing views and seeks to create a common understanding and agreement to proposed actions.

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