Accounts Assistant 
Attractive Salary & Benefits
36.5 Hour week (Hybrid) 
Newtownabbey 

Who are we?
At Henderson Group, we are proud to be Northern Ireland’s leading foodservice provider. Our group encompasses Henderson Wholesale, Henderson Retail, Henderson Foodservice and Henderson Group Property. We employ over 5,000 staff and have been placed 4th in Ulster Business Top 100 Companies 2023.  

We're a family-owned team that cares about our people and the community in which we live. Our leaders care about employees and our employees succeed together and celebrate the success of others. We are interested in your aspirations, interests and skills and we strive to support and inspire you to do well.

A look into the role
Henderson Retail is our company-owned retail division, which operates more than 100 SPAR, EUROSPAR & VIVOXTRA stores, employing more than 3,700 colleagues. With significant plans for growth in the future, we are focused on delivering world class, community focussed shopping experiences that meet the needs of communities across Northern Ireland.

About the role
The Purpose of this role is to provide financial support to the organisation.  Initially will be focused on aiding with the AP Function with future developments into AR, Cash / Accounts Reconciliations, Margins Analysis etc.

Working as Accounts Assistant you will: 

• Ensure timely receipt of invoices from suppliers.

• Ensure all VAT invoices meet HMRC standards.

• Understand structure and rules around nominal accounts and cost centres.

• Register invoices into Accounts Payable using Workflow.

• Liaising with Colleagues to ensure that all invoices are approved in a timely and accurate manner.

• Reconciling Supplier Accounts and ensuring outstanding items are processed.

• Checking to ensure that when items have been approved, all relevant codes, information have been provided before posting to AP/GL.

• Comprehensive and accurate supplier file maintenance.

• Establish good working relationships with suppliers and colleagues.

• Supplier correspondence and query response.

• Maintaining confidentiality of data and GDPR requirements.

• Regularly and frequently reconcile the AP with the GL.

• Generate and review reports detailing accounts payables status. 

• Escalate issues, as appropriate, to line manager.

• Posting transactions to journals, ledgers, and any other records

• Researching and resolving any invoice discrepancies or other issues

• Audit accounts payable operations to make sure invoices and receipts are properly coded.

• Perform other key activities as required by management.

Future Development

• Accounts Receivables – Creating invoices, credit control, debt collection.

• A variety of reconciliations that are key controls within Finance.

• Margins Analysis

• Provision of various ongoing / ad-hoc management information & analysis to a variety of stakeholders across the Retail business

• Assist in preparation of reconciliations and provide information for Audit.

• Provide financial input in projects / developments as appropriate.

Skills for Success

Joining us as Accounts Assistant the minimum criteria you’ll need is:

• Part Qualified IATI or suitable Finance experience within a large Finance team 

• Data Entry or Enquiry experience using Finance packages, EPOS or ERP Systems 

• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office packages, particularly Excel.

The Attributes you’ll need include:

• Good attention to detail.

• Ability to manage a variety of initiatives to meet tight and challenging deadlines. 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

It is Desirable if you have:

• IATI Qualified 

• FMCG Industry experience 

• Excel Qualifications/ Certifications 

• Edgepos experience 

• Working in a Large-scale finance environment in a complex organisation.

• Possessing commercial acumen

• Proficient in financial system utilization

Are we right for you?  

As part of this role, it will be important that you feel aligned with the values that we live and work by.

Ambition – We always strive to be better. We seek new challenges and look for ways to do things better.

Customer First – We provide exceptional service. We put customers at the heart of everything and support our communities.

Teamwork – We succeed together. We help colleagues to succeed, and we share our knowledge and skills.

Integrity – We are fair, honest and ethical. We treat everyone with dignity and respect. We are inclusive and champion diversity.

The Reward   
The impact you can make with Henderson Group goes far beyond your day to day. You will be part of a business supporting defibrillator installations and school sports days. In the last year Henderson group staff and retail stores raised over £1 million for charity partners.

You will have the balance necessary to enjoy your job and your life. We will help you to feel proud of what you do and achieve.  And we will be here to celebrate your success.

Our business has been recognised externally for delivering excellence in employment.  We value employee development and heavily invest in our people.

Benefits include market competitive salary, contributory pension scheme, healthcare, life assurance, employee assistance programme, social club, Perks Offers/Discount scheme throughout UK/Ireland, staff discount (grocery/fuel) at SPAR/EUROSPAR Henderson Group company-owned stores and many more.

This is a full-time position working 36.5 hours per week. Working hours will be 8:45am-4:45pm Monday to Thursday and 8:45am-3:45pm Friday. Hybrid and flexible working arrangement available.

If you'd like to speak with us before making your application, our Talent Acquisition Specialist - Joanne McClelland would be happy to have a confidential chat with you about the role on offer - email joanne.mcclelland@henderson-group.com to get in touch.  

Completed applications must be submitted online by midnight on Sunday 14th April 2024. 

We are an equal opportunities employer.