Interim Assistant Financial Accountant & Payroll
Contract Duration: 3-6 months
Location : London
Working Hours : Monday to Friday, 35 hours week (1 hour lunch)
Hybrid Working : 2 days office (Preferably Tuesday & Wednesday, 3 days working from home
Salary: £36,000 - £48,000
Role Overview - Assistant Financial Accountant
The Assistant Financial Accountant will play an important role in supporting the organisation's mission to improve child health by undertaking key financial and compliance processes, including accounting, payroll, tax, treasury, and monthly financial controls.
This position requires a highly responsible and detail-oriented finance professional with strong experience in the not-for-profit sector, particularly in maintaining the accuracy and completeness of financial control data. The role also involves developing financial models and providing strategic financial insights to support decision-making across the organisation, while ensuring timely month-end and year-end closures and full compliance with all regulatory requirements.
Key Responsibilities - Assistant Financial Accountant
1. Financial Accounting & Controls
Maintain the integrity of financial systems and data by undertaking key accounting postings regularly and promptly, ensuring reconciliation of key ledgers.
Assist the Financial Accountant with key balance sheet reconciliations, including Fixed Assets, Investments, Accruals, Prepayments, Deferred Income, Accrued Income, intercompany balances, and others as required.
Support Finance Officers in completing bank, accounts payable (AP), and accounts receivable (AR) reconciliations, including proactive investigation of reconciling items.
Support the Financial Accountant in internal and external audit processes, including preparation of group statutory accounts and liaising with auditors to deliver key audit deliverables.
2. Payroll, Taxation and Other Compliance
Responsible for processing monthly payroll runs, ensuring all adjustments are entered on time and payments are accurate and in line with monthly schedules.
Liaise with finance colleagues to ensure all payroll allocation adjustments are entered into the system accurately and promptly each month. Process the allocation journal monthly and reconcile the finance system with the payroll system.
Ensure all monthly payroll and pension submissions are completed on time and in compliance with regulatory requirements.
Ensure Gift Aid payments from each subsidiary are made promptly following finalisation of the annual audit.
Support the Financial Accountant in ensuring corporation tax returns for trading subsidiaries are submitted on time, liaising with subsidiary staff and professional advisers.
Assist with compiling and accounting for quarterly VAT returns, including irrecoverable and partially recoverable VAT, ensuring timely submission.
Support the Financial Accountant with Charity Commission and Companies House reporting requirements, and other compliance matters as directed.
3. Cash Flow Management & Treasury
Manage relationships with banking partners and investment managers to ensure effective cash management, liquidity planning, and investment.
Manage company credit cards and cash cards, including monthly reconciliation and posting of expenditure.
4. General Finance Support
Monitor finance inboxes and take proactive action as needed.
Support administration of finance systems, including adding new users and liaising with team members on new coding requirements.
Liaise regularly and proactively with key contacts outside of finance, arranging business partnering meetings with stakeholders such as HR.
Support strategic projects, including finance system improvements, grant management, and funding applications, aligned with the organisation's mission.
Contribute to continuous process improvements to enhance efficiency.
Carry out other duties as required from time to time.
General Responsibilities
In addition to the specific duties outlined above, all employees are expected to:
Adhere to all organisational policies, including those relating to health and safety, safeguarding, equality and diversity, information security, and acceptable use of resources.
Uphold ethical and professional standards and avoid behaviour that could bring the organisation into disrepute.
Maintain any required professional registration or national occupational standards relevant to the role.
Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing learning and development, and participate in relevant training.
Support and respect young people working within the organisation, including those involved through apprenticeship programmes. The post holder may be required to work alongside or supervise young people as part of their role.
Person Specification - Assistant Financial Accountant
Essential Criteria
Educational Background
Part-qualified chartered status with a recognised professional accountancy body (e.g. CCAB, ACCA, CIMA), or an equivalent professional accounting qualification.
Experience
Minimum of 2-3 years' experience in financial accounting and operational finance roles, ideally within the charity or public sector.
Demonstrated experience supporting statutory accounting, processing payroll and pensions, and managing treasury functions and VAT returns.
Experience managing financial operations, preferably within a charity or healthcare-focused organisation.
Skills
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex financial information and present clear, actionable insights.
Proficiency in financial management software and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with both internal and external stakeholders.
Desirable Criteria
Knowledge of charity-specific accounting and regulatory requirements, such as the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) for charities.
Experience using Business Central or similar ERP/financial systems.
Familiarity with the healthcare sector or public health organisations.
About Us
We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. In line with our Diversity and Inclusion policy, we welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. As a Disability Confident Employer, and part of the Nicholas Associates Group, we are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities, and we're happy to discuss flexible working options.
We are committed to protecting the privacy of all our candidates and clients. If you choose to apply, your information will be processed in accordance with the Nicholas Associates Group of companies Privacy Notice.
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