Accounts Assistant - French Speaking - 1982
| Posting date: | 11 June 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 11 July 2026 |
| Location: | Ely, Cambridgeshire |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | Thorlabs Ltd |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | THOR-VC-1982 |
Summary
What is the job?
A flexible resource providing support and assistance within various areas in the Accounts department. It is expected that the main area for this individual will be supporting the Credit Controller and Accounts Receivable Supervisor – UK/France to meet the demands within Sales Ledger function performing billing and credit control tasks, as well as looking after Thorlabs SAS Purchase Ledgers.
Working Hours: Monday to Friday 8am – 4:30pm (Hybrid working available)
Department: Accounts
Interview process: 2 stage process following shortlisting – First stage: 1 hour Teams interview, Second stage: Onsite 1 hour interview
What is essential to us…
• High proficiency in French language is required. Must be comfortable contacting customers/supplier in France via phone or email
• Prior experience in an Accounts department performing the key responsibilities below is desired
• Previous Sales Ledger experience is highly desirable
• Intermediary Microsoft Excel and D365 skills is a significant advantage
• Adhering to core values and driven positive attitude
• Receptive to new challenges and expanding current knowledge.
• Positive contribution to multi-departmental initiatives and process improvements
• Ability to multitask, time manage and work independently as well as a team
• Ability to identify and resolve problems quickly
What we would like you to do/ to see…
Sales Ledger Thorlabs SAS (France)
• Contact customers to ensure prompt payment of invoices, assist with resolving any queries the customer may have that prevent processing payments
• Monitor and complete electronic invoices transmission to the customers receiving invoices via such method
• Match payments against outstanding invoices, resolve queries as they arise
• Issue credit notes and re-invoice as required
• Coordinate monthly customer account statements preparation
• Maintain required KPI’s to understand sales ledger performance and root causes for invoicing / electronic transmission errors
• Assist with resolution of shipped not invoiced sales orders, support month end process as required
• Perform other tasks as identified by Accounts Receivable Supervisor – UK/France.
Purchase Ledger Thorlabs SAS (France)
• Process vendor invoices in line with the company rules to ensure 3-way-match
• Post other outgoings to the Ledger, including credit card purchases, expense claims, direct debits.
• Reconcile vendor statement and resolve queries by liaising with the suppliers and other members of staff as required
• Assist with preparation of proposed payment runs and distribute remittance advices to beneficiaries
• Assist investigations of aging goods received not invoiced transactions
• Other duties as required to assist month end close process, daily transactions, etc.
Who we are?
Thorlabs is a global, industry leading optical technologies company. We are experts in the design and manufacture or a range of innovative photonics products. We use these products in manufacturing and research, from fibre optics to piezo motors. We are the gold standard with optics laboratories worldwide. There are now 22 facilities across the world in 9 countries. Here in Ely, we are responsible for the Motion Control and Optical Tables product line.
Where you will be working?
It’s a hybrid role, working in our new purpose-built facility in Witchford, Ely as well as your home. Our purpose-built facility is just 12 miles from Cambridge, within the beautiful mediaeval city of Ely. There are train and bus links to Ely from Kings Cross and Liverpool Street London, and our site is within distance of Ely train station and Ely Bus station.
What will you get?
At Thorlabs there are lots of opportunities for inhouse customised training and development that accelerates your career progression. We have free onsite parking, free refreshments, as well as an entertainment area in our large canteen for your enjoyment.
And the benefits are?
Competitive Salary to attract the best, plus an excellent benefits package including pension, health care, 25 days holiday plus public holidays.
Job Reference: THOR-VC-1982
This is a rolling campaign, so we will actively interview applicants. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
We welcome applications from persons who are over 18 years old.
*This is a legal requirement, further information is here School leaving age - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
This role does not currently meet the UK Visas and Immigration criteria for obtaining a Skilled Worker Visa we are therefore unable to accept applications that require employer sponsorship in order to obtain a Skilled Worker Visa.
All offers of employment are subject to eligibility to work in the UK.
We would encourage all internal applicants to inform their line managers of their interest in this position.
A flexible resource providing support and assistance within various areas in the Accounts department. It is expected that the main area for this individual will be supporting the Credit Controller and Accounts Receivable Supervisor – UK/France to meet the demands within Sales Ledger function performing billing and credit control tasks, as well as looking after Thorlabs SAS Purchase Ledgers.
Working Hours: Monday to Friday 8am – 4:30pm (Hybrid working available)
Department: Accounts
Interview process: 2 stage process following shortlisting – First stage: 1 hour Teams interview, Second stage: Onsite 1 hour interview
What is essential to us…
• High proficiency in French language is required. Must be comfortable contacting customers/supplier in France via phone or email
• Prior experience in an Accounts department performing the key responsibilities below is desired
• Previous Sales Ledger experience is highly desirable
• Intermediary Microsoft Excel and D365 skills is a significant advantage
• Adhering to core values and driven positive attitude
• Receptive to new challenges and expanding current knowledge.
• Positive contribution to multi-departmental initiatives and process improvements
• Ability to multitask, time manage and work independently as well as a team
• Ability to identify and resolve problems quickly
What we would like you to do/ to see…
Sales Ledger Thorlabs SAS (France)
• Contact customers to ensure prompt payment of invoices, assist with resolving any queries the customer may have that prevent processing payments
• Monitor and complete electronic invoices transmission to the customers receiving invoices via such method
• Match payments against outstanding invoices, resolve queries as they arise
• Issue credit notes and re-invoice as required
• Coordinate monthly customer account statements preparation
• Maintain required KPI’s to understand sales ledger performance and root causes for invoicing / electronic transmission errors
• Assist with resolution of shipped not invoiced sales orders, support month end process as required
• Perform other tasks as identified by Accounts Receivable Supervisor – UK/France.
Purchase Ledger Thorlabs SAS (France)
• Process vendor invoices in line with the company rules to ensure 3-way-match
• Post other outgoings to the Ledger, including credit card purchases, expense claims, direct debits.
• Reconcile vendor statement and resolve queries by liaising with the suppliers and other members of staff as required
• Assist with preparation of proposed payment runs and distribute remittance advices to beneficiaries
• Assist investigations of aging goods received not invoiced transactions
• Other duties as required to assist month end close process, daily transactions, etc.
Who we are?
Thorlabs is a global, industry leading optical technologies company. We are experts in the design and manufacture or a range of innovative photonics products. We use these products in manufacturing and research, from fibre optics to piezo motors. We are the gold standard with optics laboratories worldwide. There are now 22 facilities across the world in 9 countries. Here in Ely, we are responsible for the Motion Control and Optical Tables product line.
Where you will be working?
It’s a hybrid role, working in our new purpose-built facility in Witchford, Ely as well as your home. Our purpose-built facility is just 12 miles from Cambridge, within the beautiful mediaeval city of Ely. There are train and bus links to Ely from Kings Cross and Liverpool Street London, and our site is within distance of Ely train station and Ely Bus station.
What will you get?
At Thorlabs there are lots of opportunities for inhouse customised training and development that accelerates your career progression. We have free onsite parking, free refreshments, as well as an entertainment area in our large canteen for your enjoyment.
And the benefits are?
Competitive Salary to attract the best, plus an excellent benefits package including pension, health care, 25 days holiday plus public holidays.
Job Reference: THOR-VC-1982
This is a rolling campaign, so we will actively interview applicants. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
We welcome applications from persons who are over 18 years old.
*This is a legal requirement, further information is here School leaving age - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
This role does not currently meet the UK Visas and Immigration criteria for obtaining a Skilled Worker Visa we are therefore unable to accept applications that require employer sponsorship in order to obtain a Skilled Worker Visa.
All offers of employment are subject to eligibility to work in the UK.
We would encourage all internal applicants to inform their line managers of their interest in this position.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.