Finance Assistant / Bookkeeper (6‑Month Contract - Maternity Cover)
Location: North Yorkshire (Office Based)
Contract: Initial 6 months, with potential extension
Hours: 4 or 5 days per weekSalary:
Equivalent to £27,000 per annum (pro‑rata)
Hays are supporting an established and growing SME business in North Yorkshire who are seeking an experienced Finance Assistant / Bookkeeper to join their team on an initial 6‑month maternity cover contract. This role will be based fully on-site and offers the flexibility of working four or five days per week.
This is a hands-on position ideal for someone who is confident managing day‑to‑day finance operations and enjoys playing a key role within a small, friendly team.
Key Responsibilities
Finance & Bookkeeping
Daily bookkeeping using Sage Accounting / Sage 50
Raising customer invoices and managing the sales ledger
Processing supplier invoices and maintaining the purchase ledger
Aged debt management and conducting proactive credit control
Preparing and submitting VAT returns
Supporting the business with cashflow forecasting and monitoring
Producing regular financial reports for management review
Contributing to continuous improvement of finance processesAdditional Duties
Supporting general office and administrative tasks when needed
Assisting with incoming calls and general enquiries
Providing ad hoc support to colleagues across the businessKey Requirements
Previous experience in a similar finance or bookkeeping role
Strong working knowledge of Sage / Sage 50
Experience preparing VAT returns and managing cashflow
Confident handling both sales and purchase ledger processes
Excellent organisation skills and strong attention to detailPersonal Attributes
Commercially aware with a proactive approach
Process-driven with a mindset for continuous improvement
Strong communication skills, especially when working with non-finance colleagues
Able to work independently and take full ownership of assigned tasks
Flexible, adaptable, and comfortable within a growing SME environmentWhy Join?
This role offers the opportunity to contribute meaningfully within a supportive SME environment, where your input is valued and you can quickly make an impact. If you're a capable finance professional who enjoys variety and thrives in a close-knit team, please reach out.
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
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