Job Description
Assistant Financial Accountant (Practice)
Location: Watford (Hybrid)
Hours: 35 hours per week
Working pattern:4 days in-office (Tue–Fri), Mondays from home
Leave:28 days’ holiday + bank holidays
Type: Full-time, Permanent
ePeople is recruiting an Assistant Financial Accountant for a modern, client-focused accountancy practice in Watford. You’ll prepare year-end accounts, be hands-on in Xero from day one, and work directly with business owners who value timely, accurate information. The role suits someone progressing through AAT/ACCA/ICAEW (part-qualified welcome) who wants structured learning, real responsibility, and a supportive team culture.
What you’ll do
* Prepare year-end accounts for limited companies (and some sole traders/contractors), including working papers, trial balance, journals, accruals and prepayments.
* Own Xero day-to-day : bank reconciliation, account coding, data quality checks, app integrations and tidy ledgers ready for close.
* Support month-end routines and management reporting packs.
* Assist with VAT returns, CIS, and light payroll support as needed.
* Contribute to corporation tax and basic personal tax computations from final accounts.
* Face clients confidently : onboarding, systems set-ups, answering routine queries and explaining numbers clearly.
* Help refine internal checklists and processes; capture learnings to improve next month/next year.
Requirements
Must-haves
* Professional pathway: AAT, ACCA or ICAEW (qualified or part-qualified ).
* Xero experience is non-negotiable, your Xero knowledge will be tested at interview .
* Proven year-end accounts prep experience in practice.
* Comfortable dealing directly with £1m+ turnover clients
* Clear written and verbal communication.
* Strong Excel and sound grasp of double-entry and fundamental UK GAAP principles.
Nice to have
* Experience with common Xero add-ons and data migrations.
* Exposure to VAT partial exemption/CIS nuances.
* Curiosity for automation and cleaner workflows.
Benefits
* Hybrid : 4 days in office (Tue–Fri), Mondays WFH .
* 35 hours/week with sensible rhythms around client peaks.
* 28 days’ holiday + bank holidays.
* Study support and CPD aligned to your qualification route.
* Modern tools, a collaborative team and exposure to ambitious clients.
Working style & culture
You’ll join a team that values fun, excellence, communication, being a team player, and certainty, doing what we say, when we say, for colleagues and clients. Expect a supportive, development-minded environment with clear expectations and open feedback.
Requirements
Xero, Book keeping, Accounting