Accounts Assistant

The Organisation:

Metra Living are pleased to be exclusively partnering with Robertson Bell in their search for an Accounts Assistant to join their close-knit, dynamic team on a permanent basis. Metra Living, a subsidiary of L&Q Housing Trust, manages a portfolio of over 3,100 private rented sector homes across Greater London. They are committed to providing high-quality rental homes and exceptional customer service, ensuring residents have access to well-maintained properties and responsive support. With a strong focus on simplifying operations and enhancing the living experience for all residents, Metra Living is looking for an organised, diligent accounting professional to support their finance team in delivering accurate and timely financial information.

The role offers a unique opportunity for career progression and exposure to different elements of finance, including AR, AP, and reconciliations. You’ll work closely with the Finance Manager, supporting key processes such as payment runs, invoice processing, and liaising with suppliers and internal teams, all while contributing to the smooth transition as Metra Living continues to evolve and separate from L&Q.

Key duties of the Accounts Assistant include:

• Handling AP duties such as weekly payment runs, processing invoices, and reconciling payments. You will partner with suppliers and work closely with departments to ensure accounts are updated and reconciled promptly.
• AR involvement will be minimal, but you will support the reconciliation process and work with the system for customer account management.
• Performing bank reconciliations, raising purchase orders, and managing both manual and automated processes, including scanning and processing invoices.
• Collaborating with both internal teams and external suppliers to resolve any queries and ensure smooth transactions.
• Ensuring accuracy and compliance with internal procedures as part of a small but collaborative finance team.
• Assisting with additional tasks, including liaising with council tax offices and other third-party departments.

The successful candidate will possess:

• Essential experience in AP processing with the ability to hit the ground running and manage the day-to-day operations with minimal supervision.
• Basic accounting knowledge and experience with systems like Excel; ability to reconcile accounts and work with formulas.
• Desirable experience with Yardi or similar systems would be a bonus.
• Excellent interpersonal skills – you will be interacting with suppliers, internal departments, and stakeholders, so the ability to build and maintain relationships is key.
• A proactive attitude with the ability to work independently and manage workload during fluctuating periods.
• A background in real estate, housing, or the commercial sector would be beneficial, though not essential.

Company Benefits

• Flexible working – staff have the flexibility to work their contracted hours around the core hours of 9am – 5pm and can make flexible working requests that will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
• Annual leave - 28 days annual leave each year plus bank holidays. This increases to 31 days after three years of service.
• Hybrid working – the role is based in East London, going into the offices once or twice per week.

Logistics

• Salary: £30,000 per annum.
• Location: East London (with flexible working options).

Metra Living is a growing and dynamic organisation. With their focus on transition and continued development within the private rented sector, this is an excellent opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is looking to expand their career in finance.