Assistant Financial Accountant
Job Title: Assistant Financial Accountant
Department: Finance
Reports To: Financial Accounting Manager
Location: Guildford, on site
Job Type: Permanent / Full-time
Job Reference: 2121
Role Purpose
To support the Financial Accounting Manager in delivering accurate, timely and compliant financial reporting. The role is a key contributor to month-end close activities, statutory reporting, audit support and robust control of balance sheet and transactional processes, ensuring segregation of duty and internal control. It also deputises for the Financial Accounting Manager.
Key Responsibilities
* Month-End and Financial Reporting
o Prepare and post journals including payroll, accruals, prepayments, reallocations and corrections.
o Maintain high‑quality balance sheet reconciliations, investigating variances promptly.
o Ownership of monthly and intercompany reporting to Airbus, ensuring accuracy and adherence to deadlines, acting as first point of contact.
* Statutory Accounts and Audit
o Support the Financial Accounting Manager in the preparation of statutory accounts.
o Compile audit evidence, schedules and supporting documentation for external auditors.
o Help maintain a robust internal control environment, including supporting internal audit activities as required.
* Cash and Asset Management
o Prepare bank reconciliations and support daily cash postings.
o Assist with monitoring cash flow movements and supporting cash forecasting.
o Check supplier payment runs.
o Maintain the fixed asset register, ensuring additions, disposals, depreciation and asset tagging are accurate and timely.
* Tax and Compliance
o VAT return preparation, including reconciling VAT control accounts.
o Assist with Corporation Tax, support documentation and other regulatory filings where needed.
o Prepare annual PSA.
o Complete National Statistics reporting.
* Overhead Budget and Control
o Manage business overhead control process including setting annual targets and internal hourly rates.
o Generate quarterly reports for monitoring actuals vs budget with risk/opportunity reporting. Facilitate quarterly reviews with overhead budget holders.
* Systems and Process Improvement
o Support continuous improvement of processes, controls and reporting.
o Support the transition to S/4HANA (ERP system).
o Contribute to system testing during upgrades, finance improvement projects or changes to reporting structures.
Skills and Experience Required
* Technical Skills
o Experience working within a finance or accounting function, preferably in an engineering, technology, manufacturing or project‑based environment.
o Proficient in Excel (pivot tables, lookups) and comfortable with integrated ERP systems.
o Experience with SAP‑based systems or similar: SAP Business One / S/4HANA / SAP Concur highly desirable.
o Understanding of UK GAAP and basic statutory reporting requirements.
* Personal Attributes
o Highly organised, reliable and able to prioritise multiple tasks within close deadlines.
o Detail‑focused with strong numerical accuracy.
o Proactive, with a willingness to learn and take ownership of tasks.
o Strong communication skills, capable of explaining financial matters to non‑finance colleagues.
o Maintains confidentiality and demonstrates integrity in handling financial information.
o Positive attitude with a growth mindset – comfortable in a dynamic, high‑tech environment.
Qualifications
Qualified or finalist level accountant (AAT/ACCA) with a background in financial accounting, either gained in practice or industry.
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