Finance Executive
Stuart – Finance Executive
Please describe your role in ACL.
“I work in the finance team. The role requires that I keep the business financially healthy and running smoothly. The finance department will look to invest surplus cash to work in our favour. As we work in several currencies and hold several different bank accounts we will also look to exploit and favourable exchange rates. We work closely with all areas of the business to set the annual budget and present this to the board for approval. We are then responsible for invoicing our customers and paying our suppliers in a timely fashion. The role involves reporting financial results on a monthly and annual basis and variances are highlighted with supporting commentary. Additionally, we advise and instruct the payroll companies we work with to make salary payments. There is a fair degree of administration relating to HMRC (VAT, Corporation Tax etc.) and work with our auditors and tax advisors.
The role supports the commercial side of the business to provide costing and budgetary derails when bidding for new contracts and pricing current contracts. “
What does a typical day look like to you?
“A typical day will involve invoicing customers and adding supplier invoices to our system. I normally spend part of my day chasing up customers (debtors) that haven’t paid us and depending on the day of the month I need to arrange a payment run to pay various suppliers (creditors). I will maintain our banking records to check for customer receipts and making sure the payments to our supplier have been sent.
The period of the month changes the typical day though as month end creates an increased workload. This involves reporting where we stand financially at the end of each month and reconciling all areas of the business and the different companies that make up the ACL group.”
What’s your favourite part about working here?
“My favourite part about working for ACL is the variety of work and that I get exposure to all areas of the business.”
Describe a memorable time at ACL
“The work that was undertaken for the Olympics in London, 2012 and the general atmosphere and spirit at ACL and the country as a whole at the time was very memorable. It involved a lot of work and some very strange working shifts but everyone mucked in and seemed to have fun with it.”
Do you have any advice for a new starter?
“I would say listen as much as possible to as many people as possible and don’t be afraid to ask questions.”