Receivables Accountant

About Us:

We are a dynamic and growing company, part of a well-established family business renowned for manufacturing high-quality hop products and supplying hops to the world's best breweries. Our dedicated team of hop experts prides itself on delivering excellent service across all aspects of our business. We are currently seeking a motivated Receivables Accountant to join our Finance team and support the "BarthHaas X" division, which serves our valued Craft Beer customers throughout the UK and Europe.

The Role:

We are looking for a proactive and dedicated Receivables Accountant to take ownership of the accounts receivable function for our BarthHaas X business stream. Reporting to the Financial Accountant, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of our financial processes while providing exceptional service to both our customers and internal teams. This is an excellent opportunity for a self-starter who is eager to develop their skills, contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, and grow within our Finance department.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the end-to-end accounts receivable process for the BarthHaas X stream, including posting customer receipts, handling daily cashbook entries, issuing customer statements, and processing credit notes.
• Act as a key point of contact for customer finance queries, liaising effectively with Sales, Logistics, and Customer Service teams to resolve issues promptly.
• Monitor and manage the Receivables email inbox, ensuring timely and professional responses.
• Conduct regular credit checks for BarthHaas X customers, managing and updating credit limits accordingly.
• Negotiate and agree on customer payment plans, balancing customer relationships with business needs.
• Handle documentation related to customers entering administration or liquidation, escalating to the Head of Finance as necessary.
• Maintain accurate customer financial information within our ERP system (Navision), including account holds and VAT details.
• Utilise our CRM system (Salesforce) to log customer contact, call notes, and key correspondence. Keep detailed records of accounts on hold and agreed payment plans.
• Support the Financial Accountant with monitoring non-bank payment platforms (e.g., Stripe, PayPal), reviewing their cost-effectiveness, and maintaining related balance sheet accounts.
• Participate in inter-departmental meetings, providing updates on pro-forma sales, customer stops, payment plans, and implementing corrective actions.
• Proactively identify and implement process improvements within the accounts receivable function.
• Maintain and update templates for sales invoices, credit notes, statements, and credit limit forms, coordinating with IT as needed.
• Collaborate with the Financial Accountant to develop and monitor KPIs related to sales, invoicing, customers, and debtors, including monthly reporting on Invoicing Accuracy.
• Prepare monthly debtors reports for management accounts, providing commentary on significant balances and risks.
• Assist the Financial Accountant with the preparation and updating of the Quarterly Bad Debt Provision.
• Provide ad-hoc cover for the Accounts Payable function, including entering supplier payments and verifying supplier bank details.

About You:

We are seeking an individual who:

• Strives to provide excellent service to customers and internal stakeholders.
• Is a self-starter with the confidence and drive to take full responsibility for the accounts receivable process.
• Is keen to grow and develop within a finance role, embracing continuous improvement.
• Has a passion for service excellence and is willing to go the 'extra-mile'.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Actively studying towards or part-qualified in a recognised finance qualification (AAT, ACCA, CIMA).
• Minimum of 3 years' experience working within an accounts receivable function.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) with the ability to build strong relationships.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in record-keeping.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and communicate financial information clearly to both finance and non-finance colleagues.

Desirable Skills:

• Familiarity with Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Salesforce, Stripe, or PayPal.
• Exposure to other areas of Finance (e.g., Accounts Payable, VAT, month-end processes, management accounts preparation).