Accounts Assistant

Your new company
Hays is proud to be supporting a well-established and highly respected public sector organisation in Birmingham city centre in the appointment of an Accounts Assistant to join their finance function.Your new role
The organisation is seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Accounts Assistant to join the company''s Finance team on a fixed-term basis until December 2027.This is a varied and hands-on role that plays a key part in supporting financial control, ensuring accuracy in financial records, and contributing to the smooth running of day-to-day finance operations. You will work closely with the Financial Accountant and wider finance team to maintain high standards of financial governance, compliance, and reporting.
Key Responsibilities
Accounts Payable

• Manage the invoices mailbox and supplier queries
• Process purchase invoices accurately and in a timely manner
• Prepare and run weekly BACS payments
• Maintain supplier records and relationships
• Perform monthly payables reconciliations

Accounts Receivable

• Prepare and issue sales invoices
• Send customer statements and manage credit control processes
• Issue reminders and follow up on outstanding balances
• Maintain customer records and relationships
• Perform monthly receivables reconciliations

Core Finance & Reporting

• Process bank transactions and complete monthly bank reconciliations
• Prepare month-end journals, including prepayments, accruals, and salary journals
• Support period-end close activities
• Audit employee expense claims to ensure policy compliance
• Assist in the preparation and publication of statutory and transparency returns
• Provide supporting documentation to internal and external auditors

General Support & Continuous Improvement

• Manage the central finance mailbox, responding promptly to queries
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies in financial data
• Maintain and improve finance processes and documentation
• Support adherence to finance policies and controls
• Contribute to ad hoc tasks as required by the finance team

What you''ll need to succeed

• Proven experience working in a finance environment, including Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable
• Strong understanding of core accounting principles, including reconciliations and month-end processes
• Currently studying towards an accounting qualification (e.g. AAT/ACCA/CIMA) or qualified by experience
• Experience using financial systems or ERP platforms (e.g. Oracle Fusion or similar)
• Strong Excel skills with the ability to analyse and present data accurately
• Demonstrated ability to improve processes and solve problems effectively
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to build strong working relationships

What you''ll get in return

• Generous public sector pension contributions
• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and additional privilege leave
• Flexible hybrid working (typically 2 days in office per week in Birmingham)
• 37- hour week
• Paid professional membership fees
• Up to 3 volunteering days annually
• Discounts on retail, travel, and lifestyle services
• Enhanced parental leave and sick pay
• Ongoing training and career development opportunities
• Health and wellbeing initiatives
• Cycle-to-work scheme and travel loans

What you need to do now


If you''re interested in this role, click ''apply now'' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn''t quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

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