Accounts Manager

We are working with a market-leading supplier of non-mechanical plant and equipment for sale and hire. Servicing the Construction, Civil Engineering and Utility sectors, the business supplies products including Traffic Management Barriers, Hoarding and Fencing Systems, Temporary Access Mats and Portable Roadways, Height Restriction Kits, Trench Covers and Trench Sheets, and more.

We are now seeking an experienced, hands-on Accounts Manager to take ownership of the day-to-day finance function and support the wider business. This is a varied role combining transactional finance, reconciliations, credit control, banking, supplier and customer account management, month-end support and team coordination. The successful candidate will be proactive, highly organised and comfortable working in a fast-paced, reactive environment where accuracy and follow-through are essential.

Customer and financial records are maintained using Xero alongside Point of Rental, the company’s hire management system. The role works closely with sales, purchase ledger, customer service, operational teams, external accountants and banking contacts.

Key Responsibilities

- Ownership of day-to-day accounts administration across the business, ensuring accurate records and smooth financial processes.

- Administration and reconciliation of business bank accounts, with responsibility for current and online banking activity.

- Acting as a first point of contact for Bank Managers and liaising with external accountants as required.

- Allocation and reconciliation in Xero across Elite and associated business entities, supporting accurate month-end accounts.

- Processing and managing accounts payable and accounts receivable transactions, including purchase ledger queries and supplier reconciliations.

- Managing the accounts inbox and processing GRV purchase invoices, ensuring purchase orders and supporting documentation are in place and resolving discrepancies with internal teams and suppliers.

- Preparing and processing business bill payments through Xero and AMEX, with accurate reconciliation for month end.

- Managing AMEX expenses and the Starling business card, including expense tracking and reconciliation.

- Running invoices for hire and sales, maintaining the invoice/daybook process and ensuring transactions are recorded accurately.

- Credit control and proactive management of aged debtors, including customer account applications and credit checks/processes.

- Uploading and maintaining invoices on customer portals such as Tradex and Coupa.

- Ensuring proforma invoices are paid prior to dispatch.

- Damage reporting for hire equipment and raising associated invoices.

- Driving internal teams to provide the correct sales/hire advice notes, contracts, PODs and POCs to support accurate invoicing and financial records.

- Coordinating HMRC correspondence and actions for Elite and associated entities, including CIS-related matters and Gov notifications.

- Processing and coordinating internal business transactions and international payments.

- Completing PPQ documentation and supplier/customer account forms.

- Stock transfers, purchasing and valuation reporting, together with support for stock takes and stock reconciliation processes.

- Providing guidance and support to colleagues, helping to ensure finance-related tasks are completed accurately and on time.

- Assisting customer service and operational teams where required, including raising sales orders and purchase orders and coordinating transport.

Skills & Experience

- Previous experience in a broad accounts, finance or accounts management role, with confidence taking ownership of day-to-day financial processes.

- Good working knowledge of purchase ledger, sales ledger, bank reconciliation, credit control and month-end processes.

- Confident using accounting software;
Xero experience is highly desirable.

- Experience working with online banking, card expenses and business payment processes.

- An accountancy qualification (e.g. AAT, ACCA or CIMA) would be preferable, but is not essential; relevant practical experience will also be considered.

- Comfortable using Microsoft Office and office-based business systems; experience of hire management software such as Point of Rental would be advantageous.

- Strong numerical accuracy and attention to detail, with the ability to identify and resolve discrepancies.

- Excellent communication and organisational skills, with confidence liaising with customers, suppliers, colleagues, accountants and…