Job description

The Accounts Receivable or Sales Ledger function in a business is responsible for ensuring invoices are generated and distributed for all sales made by the business and then for collecting and recording payments against these invoices.

Accounts Receivable specialists frequently work as part of a larger finance function, although the responsibilities can be carried out by a single finance specialist in a small organisation. Accounts Receivable or Sales Ledger Clerks are responsible for accurately and efficiently recording sales and then issuing related invoices to clients in order to allow a company to understand what revenues are forthcoming and also to plan cash flow.

An experienced and senior professional will usually be responsible for the overall Accounts Receivable function, although daily duties are often carried out by junior members of staff.

Typical duties include:

• Recording sales and producing invoices.
• Calculating VAT for accurate inclusion on invoices.
• Recording payments.
• Producing reports and statements for internal use.
• Producing statements for clients.
• Chasing payments on overdue invoices.
• Keeping accurate files and copies of invoices issued.

Qualifications

Entry level Accounts Receivable Clerks do not need specific financial qualifications, although good levels of numeracy and literacy are prerequisite - most employers will require GCSEs in English and Mathematics. Skills in relevant computer software and applications - such as spreadsheets and databases - are very useful.

Senior roles in Accounts Payable are often filled by qualified or part qualified accountants or by accounting technicians with AAT qualifications.

Salary Snapshot

Recent salaries advertised on TopFinancialJobs (November 2009) include:

• £13 per hour for a temporary part qualified Senior Accounts Receivable Clerk working for a well known music company in London.
• £26-30,000 per annum for a Receivables Supervisor working in a growing organisation in Berkshire.
• £12-13 per hour for a temporary part qualified (AAT) Sales Ledger Clerk/Accounts Assistant working in the City of London.
• £25-30,000 per annum for an AAT qualified Billings Assistant working for an entrepreneurial organisation in Hemel Hempstead.

Do you work in Accounts Receivable? Would you like to contribute to our "Day in the Life of..." series? Email us at info@topfinancialjobs.co.uk for more details.