Job Title: Office Manager

Location: Horwich/Bolton

Salary: £50,000+ DOE

Contract: Permanent, Full Time

Industry: Construction / Civil Engineering

The Opportunity

An established and successful construction and civil engineering business based in the Bolton area is looking to appoint an experienced Office & Accounts Manager to join its team. This is a key long-term appointment and forms part of an important succession plan within the existing office and accounts function.The successful individual will initially work alongside a highly experienced, long-standing member of staff, gaining a thorough understanding of the company's financial processes, systems and day-to-day operations.

Over time, the successful candidate will gradually take greater ownership of the function, with the intention of ultimately having overall responsibility for the office and accounts operation. The business is looking for someone who can become a trusted, long-term member of the team and take genuine ownership and responsibility as the role develops.

The Role

Working closely with the Directors, the Office Manager / Accounts Manager will be responsible for the smooth day-to-day running of the company's accounting and financial administration processes alongside wider office responsibilities. This is a hands-on position and will involve managing weekly payroll, processing invoices, maintaining accurate accounting records, preparing supplier payment schedules and making payments following Director approval.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing and processing the company's weekly payroll, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time.
• Maintaining accurate payroll information and associated records.
• Processing and inputting purchase and supplier invoices onto the company's accounting software.
• Checking invoices for accuracy and ensuring transactions are correctly recorded.
• Maintaining accurate purchase ledger and general accounting records.
• Preparing regular supplier payment lists for Director approval.
• Processing payments following the appropriate approval.
• Monitoring supplier accounts and dealing with payment and account queries.
• Reconciling supplier statements and investigating discrepancies.
• Supporting bank reconciliations and general financial record keeping.
• Maintaining accurate records relating to invoices, payments and payroll.
• Supporting construction-specific accounting and taxation requirements.
• Liaising with external accountants and professional advisers where required.
• Providing financial and administrative information to the Directors.
• Supporting the effective day-to-day running of the office.
• Developing a detailed understanding of existing company systems and processes.
• Working closely with the existing experienced member of staff to ensure an effective long-term handover.
• Gradually assuming greater responsibility for the overall accounts and office function.

Skills & Experience

Essential:

• Good previous experience within an accounts, finance, bookkeeping or office management position.
• Hands-on payroll experience, ideally including responsibility for weekly payroll.
• Strong purchase ledger and invoice processing experience.
• Experience using accounting software.
• Experience preparing and processing supplier payment runs.
• Good understanding of general bookkeeping and financial administration.
• Strong numerical accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to confidently handle sensitive and confidential financial information.
• Comfortable working directly with business owners or Directors.
• Able to work independently and take ownership of responsibilities.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills.
• Good Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
• A reliable, conscientious and trustworthy approach.

Advantageous:

• Previous accounts experience within construction, civil engineering, building, property, contracting or a related sector.
• Knowledge of CIS and subcontractor payments.
• Understanding of construction-sector VAT requirements and Domestic Reverse Charge.
• Experience within an established SME or owner-managed business.
• Experience combining accounts responsibilities with wider office management.
• Experience supporting or supervising junior accounts/administration staff.
• A relevant bookkeeping, payroll, accounting or AAT qualification would be beneficial, although practical experience is equally valued.

The Person

The business is ultimately looking for someone who sees this as a genuine long-term career opportunity. This would suit someone who enjoys working within an established SME environment where they can become closely involved with the business and take meaningful responsibility for their area. You will need to be comfortable remaining hands-on with every day accounts responsibilities whilst having the experience, personality and confidence to eventually take overall ownership of the function.

The successful candidate is likely to be:

• Reliable, trustworthy and professional.
• Highly organised.
• Accurate and methodical.
• Comfortable working with financial information.
• Confident working independently.
• Comfortable communicating directly with Directors.
• Approachable when dealing with colleagues, suppliers and external advisers.
• Willing to learn established systems and processes.
• Someone who takes ownership rather than requiring significant day-to-day supervision.
• Looking for stability and a long-term position.

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

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