Assistant Accountant

Your new company

Hays are exclusively partnering with a well-established manufacturing business based in Taunton. Operating within a specialist market, the company has built a strong reputation for quality, innovation and customer service.

As the business continues to grow, an opportunity has arisen for an ambitious Assistant Accountant to join the finance team and work closely alongside the Head of Finance, supporting both the day-to-day operation of the function and the longer-term financial reporting requirements of the business.

Your new role

This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to build on their finance experience and progress towards a Management Accountant position in the future.

The role will commence on an initial 3-month temporary basis, with the intention of moving to a permanent position for the right individual.

Working closely with the Head of Finance, you will take ownership of key finance processes whilst gaining exposure to month-end activities, financial reporting and management accounting responsibilities.
Key responsibilities will include:

• Ownership of the Purchase Ledger function
• Ownership of the Sales Ledger function
• Management of the finance/accounts inbox
• Credit control and aged debt management
• Bank reconciliations and cashbook management
• Processing supplier payments and payment runs
• Cash allocation and invoice matching
• Maintaining accurate financial records within Sage 200
• Posting journals and supporting month-end procedures
• Assisting with accruals and prepayments
• Balance sheet reconciliations
• Supporting the preparation of monthly management accounts
• Producing financial reports and analysis where required
• Liaising with suppliers, customers and internal stakeholders
• Supporting audits and year-end processes
• Assisting the Head of Finance with ad hoc finance projects

This is a full-time, office-based role working Monday to Friday.What you'll need to succeedTo be successful in this role, you will ideally:

• Have previous experience as an Assistant Accountant, Accounts Assistant, Finance Assistant or Assistant Management Accountant
• Have experience across both Purchase Ledger and Sales Ledger
• Be confident managing supplier and customer accounts
• Have experience managing a finance/accounts inbox and resolving queries
• Have strong bank reconciliation experience
• Have exposure to journals, accruals and prepayments
• Have supported month-end accounting processes
• Have experience using Sage 200 or a similar ERP system
• Have worked within an SME, manufacturing, distribution or commercial finance environment
• Be studying towards or have completed AAT Level 4, ACCA or CIMA (desirable)
• Have strong Excel and finance systems skills
• Possess excellent attention to detail and organisational skills
• Have the ambition and desire to progress towards Management Accountant level

What you'll get in return

• Salary of £17- 19 per hour
• Initial 3-month temporary assignment with the opportunity to secure a permanent position
• Genuine progression towards Management Accountant level
• Direct mentorship from the Head of Finance
• Exposure to month-end accounting and financial reporting
• A broad and varied finance role within a growing manufacturing business
• A supportive and collaborative team environment
• Long-term career development opportunities
• The chance to make a genuine impact within a successful SME

What you need to do nowIf you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or contact Hays for a confidential discussion.If this role isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position within Accountancy & Finance, please get in touch for a confidential discussion about your career.

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at (url removed)