Assistant Accountant

The Finance Operations Controller is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day transactional finance operations, ensuring the smooth running of accounts payable, accounts receivable, and cash management processes. This role provides operational leadership, maintaining robust controls and driving process efficiency across the finance function.

Responsibilities

• Accounts Receivable
• Oversee the sales ledger, ensuring accurate and timely processing of customer invoices
• Support customer relationships whilst ensuring payment terms are adhered to
• Produce regular debtor reports and aged receivables analysis for management review
• Resolve customer queries and disputes efficiently, liaising with operational teams as required
• Control the purchase ledger, ensuring accurate and timely processing of supplier invoices via Sage 200 and Paperless systems.
• Prepare payment runs for approval, ensuring optimal cash management whilst maintaining good supplier relationships.
• Reconcile supplier statements and resolve discrepancies proactively.
• Manage supplier queries and maintain accurate supplier master data.
• Ensure compliance with Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) requirements where applicable
• Payroll Administration and Processing
• Oversee the end-to-end monthly payroll process for employees, ensuring accurate and timely payment.
• Maintain payroll master data including starters, leavers, salary changes and employee details in HiBob HRIS.
• Process payroll inputs including timesheets, overtime, expenses, bonuses and deductions.
• Ensure compliance with HMRC requirements including PAYE, NIC, pensions auto-enrolment and statutory payments (SSP, SMP, etc.).
• Reconcile payroll control accounts and ensure accurate posting to the general ledger.
• Prepare and submit monthly payroll reports to HMRC (RTI submissions) and pension providers.
• Respond to employee payroll queries professionally and resolve discrepancies efficiently.
• Support year-end payroll processes including P60s and P11Ds.
• Month-End & Financial Control
• Execute month-end close procedures including ledger maintenance, accruals, prepayments and journals.
• Perform ledger reconciliations (sales ledger, purchase ledger, bank accounts) to ensure financial integrity.
• Support the preparation of monthly management accounts by providing accurate transactional data.
• Maintain robust audit trails and documentation to support financial reporting.
• Process Improvement & Systems
• Act as a power user of Sage 200, providing guidance and support to the finance team.
• Identify opportunities to streamline finance processes through automation and system enhancements.
• Support the implementation of new finance systems and process improvements.
• Ensure data integrity across all finance systems through regular validation and control checks.
• Develop and maintain procedure documentation for finance processes.
• Compliance & Internal Controls
• Ensure compliance with company policies, accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain segregation of duties and internal control frameworks within transactional processes.
• Support internal and external audit processes, providing documentation and evidence as required.
• Ensure VAT treatment is correct on all transactions and support VAT return preparation.
• Flag and resolve control weaknesses or process deficiencies proactively.
• Stakeholder Management
• Liaise with operational teams to resolve financial queries and ensure smooth business operations.
• Manage relationships with suppliers and customers professionally, resolving issues promptly.
• Communicate effectively with senior finance leadership on operational matters and escalations.
• Respond to ad-hoc requests for information and analysis from management in a timely manner.
• Work collaboratively with the other members of the finance team to agree work allocations across finance operations to meet deadlines and maintain service levels.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accuracy and professional development.
• Act as a point of escalation for operational finance queries from across the business.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in transactional finance or accounts assistant role
• Proven experience with Sage 200 or similar accounting system

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