Purchase & Sales Ledger Accountant

Salary: £31,000 - £36,000 per annum (depending on experience)

Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday

Contract type: Permanent

Location: Hybrid work with one day per week office attendance in Putney, London, SW15

About Us

Our vision is for every child and young person to be safe, loved and happy, to achieve their potential and have a bright future.

St Christopher's is a leading charity supporting children and young people. We are proud of our long history of delivering fostering services, children's homes, and innovative leaving care support across the UK.

We are deeply committed to improving outcomes for young people, particularly those who are unable to remain in their family or foster homes. Everything we do places young people at the heart of our work, helping them build positive life experiences and brighter futures.

We are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone feels they belong. We actively encourage applications from underrepresented groups, including people from different cultures, backgrounds, ages, abilities, religions, genders, sexual orientations, and those with caring responsibilities.

About the Role

Reporting to the Finance Manager, you will support accurate and timely transaction processing and help maintain effective financial controls. Key duties include:

• Process purchase invoices, staff expenses, monthly direct debit invoices and foster carer payments accurately and within deadlines.
• Maintain supplier details, resolve supplier queries, review aged creditors and prepare BACS payment runs for authorisation.
• Produce monthly sales invoices from contract and occupancy information, raise recharge invoices, and post and allocate receipts.
• Maintain accurate customer records, resolve queries and prepare monthly aged-debtor analysis.
• Review aged debt weekly and undertake appropriate credit control to keep debt within 30 days.
• Review weekly movement information, process rent invoices, issue tenant statements and work with home managers to manage arrears.
• Process Housing Benefit notifications, overpayments and refunds, and resolve rent and income-related queries.
• Post rent transactions and reconcile the rent bank account weekly and monthly.
• Administer cash-management activities, direct debits, standing orders and faster-payment requests in line with internal controls.
• Post and reconcile credit-card expenditure and complete monthly sales, rent and purchase ledger control-account reconciliations.
• Act as the first point of contact for purchase, sales and rent ledger queries, supporting and developing non-finance colleagues as required.
• Identify and mitigate potential fraud and financial risk, support finance-system and process improvements, and provide evidence and information for audit.

About You

• Qualifications: AAT Level 3 or another equivalent qualification.
• Experience: At least two years' experience in a related role.
• Systems: Strong IT skills, including experience of accounting packages and intermediate Excel.
• Organisation: The ability to plan and organise work effectively to meet deadlines.
• Accuracy: A methodical approach and strong attention to detail.
• Problem solving: The ability to take ownership of work, investigate issues and develop practical solutions.
• Teamwork: A collaborative approach and commitment to contributing to positive team morale.
• Development: A commitment to continuous learning and a willingness to contribute ideas that improve processes.
• Communication: Professional written and verbal communication skills.
• Initiative: A proactive approach and the ability to work independently.
• Desirable: Working towards or having achieved AAT Level 4, experience in the social housing sector, and knowledge of Access Workspace or Access Dimensions.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary : £31,000 - £36,000 per annum (depending on experience).
• A friendly working environment at a values-led charitable organisation.
• 25 days holiday rising to 27 days after 3 years' service, plus Bank Holidays, pro-rata.
• Contributory pension scheme, enhanced maternity and company sick scheme.
• UK Life Assurance (Death in service) to the value of 3 times your annual salary.
• BUPA employee assistance programme, offering counselling, financial advice and legal support.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Bluelight card; discount shopping scheme at hundreds of retailers across the UK both in store and online.
• Discretionary funded training programs for you to explore and attain new and relevant skills.
• Employee awards based on performance and length of service.

How to Apply

To apply, please scroll down and complete our application form along with a supporting statement outlining how you meet the criteria listed in the Person Specification. Please note that applications without a supporting statement will not be considered.

For the full Job Description and Person Specification, please check our website.

Please note we review applications as they are received, so early application is encouraged.

Safer Recruitment note:

• St Christopher's is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be subject to thorough screening, including DBS checks.
• Please note that it is against the law to apply for work with Children/Young People if you are barred from working in Regulated Activity and if your name is added to a Children Barred List.
• All shortlisted candidates invited to interview will be asked to submit a Self-Declaration and Disclosure form which will need to be returned prior to an interview being booked.