Job Title: Finance & Accounting Assistant Role Purpose To provide comprehensive support across finance operations and accounting processes, ensuring accurate financial reporting, compliance with statutory requirements, and efficient transactional processing. This hybrid role bridges day-to-day finance administration with elements of management accounting, contributing to the organisation’s financial integrity and strategic objectives. Key Responsibilities Financial Processing & Administration Maintain accurate and timely processing of sales and purchase ledger transactions, including invoice matching and coding. Manage credit card reconciliations, expense claims, and petty cash transactions. Ensure all financial records comply with company policies and audit requirements. Month-End & Reporting Assist with month-end close activities, including preparation of accruals, prepayments, and journal entries. Support the production of management accounts, ensuring accuracy and adherence to deadlines. Prepare and reconcile balance sheet accounts, investigating and resolving discrepancies promptly. Compliance & Control Assist with VAT returns and other statutory filings, ensuring compliance with HMRC regulations. Support internal and external audits by providing documentation and responding to queries. Contribute to maintaining robust financial controls and identifying opportunities for process improvement. Analysis & Forecasting Provide support for income and cost analysis, including variance reporting and forecasting. Assist in preparing reports for senior management to inform decision-making. Collaborate with the finance team on budget preparation and monitoring. Systems & Process Improvement Utilise accounting software and ERP systems to maintain accurate financial data. Identify and implement improvements to streamline finance processes and enhance efficiency. Support new business initiatives and system upgrades as required. Skills & Experience Previous experience in a finance or accounting support role. Strong understanding of accounting principles, including double-entry bookkeeping. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP) and familiarity with accounting systems. Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines. Strong communication skills for liaising with internal and external stakeholders. Qualifications AAT Level 3 or equivalent (or working towards). Knowledge of VAT and UK accounting standards desirable. Personal Attributes Proactive and adaptable with a problem-solving mindset. High level of integrity and commitment to accuracy. Collaborative team player with a willingness to learn and develop.