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Purchase Ledger Job Description

Published on: 23 Nov 2018

Purchase Ledger Job Description

If you are a confident communicator and skilled mathematician looking for finance and accountancy jobs that do not require an accounting qualification, it may be worth considering a role as a purchase ledger clerk. This description for purchase ledger jobs highlights the common duties, frequently requested requirements and average UK salaries of individuals in the profession, plus purchase ledger example career paths.

  • What does a purchase ledger clerk do?

    The primary responsibility in a purchase ledger role is to monitor company spending, preparing and processing payments by BACS or cheque for all goods and services purchased by the business. Purchase ledger clerks check and code invoices, reconcile supplier statements, work out VAT payments and resolve any purchase enquiries or disputes.

  • Purchase ledger duties and responsibilities

    As a purchase ledger clerk your daily activities are likely to include:

     • Oversight and monitoring of business spending and company purchases.
     • Entering payment information into the purchase ledger to keep track of funds paid and identify owed debt.
     • Awareness of how much money is owed, and to whom, at all times.
     • Checking invoices against receipts with scrutiny to ensure that all products and/or services purchased are delivered.
     • Preparing, processing and authorising payments via cheque or BACS.
     • Maintaining existing and creating new supplier accounts.
     • Calculating VAT payments and reconciliation of supplier statements.
     • Monitoring the cashbook, petty cash and expenses.
     • Handling any purchase enquiries or disputes with suppliers.
     • Filing invoices and statements, keeping records of all products and services purchased with company money.
     • Maintaining strong business relationships with suppliers.
     • Reviewing procedures and systems to identify improvement opportunities.

  • Common purchase ledger clerk requirements

    When applying for purchase ledger jobs, you will often be requested to demonstrate:

     • Bookkeeping experience.
     • IT skills, including proficiency in Excel, BACS and SAGE.
     • Attention to detail.
     • Ability to work to deadlines.
     • High level of capability in maths.
     • Interpersonal, communication and teamworking skills.
     • Commitment, organisation and discipline.

    While most purchase ledger clerk roles are entry level and do not require a specific qualification, employers will usually look for excellent results in GCSE Maths and English. Those considering applying for purchase ledger roles should consider joining the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) and undertaking their Level 1 qualification. Equivalent to GCSE grades A-C, the qualification will supply you with invaluable training in costing principles, double-entry bookkeeping and purchase, sales and general ledgers.

  • Purchase ledger clerk salary

    According to the results of our latest Salary Survey Report, the average salary for purchase ledger clerk roles in the UK is £28,333 per year. Being an entry level position, salaries can range from around £19,999 up to £30,000, depending on location, seniority and experience.

  • Career prospects

    After a year or two of experience, purchase ledger clerks may progress into a supervisory or managerial position in the purchase ledger team. Following this, many decide to study towards a full accounting qualification before successfully pursuing a career as an:

     • Assistant accountant;
     • Accounts assistant;
     • Management accountant; or
     • Assistant management accountant.

    From there, you may choose a future in accountant jobs, management accountancy, financial controller jobs or as a finance manager.

    If you are an IT-savvy maths expert with great money tracking skills, looking to break into finance and accounting without having to gain an industry-specific qualification first, a purchase ledger clerk job could be for you. View the latest purchase ledger jobs and apply today on GAAPweb.