Accounts Assistant

Salary: £26,000–£30,000 per annum, depending on experience
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Location: Stevenage

We are recruiting on behalf of a growing accountancy practice that supports a varied portfolio of small businesses, limited companies, sole traders and property-related clients.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Accounts Assistant who enjoys variety and would like exposure to multiple areas of accountancy, including bookkeeping, VAT, payroll, year-end accounts and personal tax.

Working closely with the Practice Director, you will support a portfolio of clients while developing your technical knowledge and taking on greater responsibility as the practice continues to grow.

Accounts and Tax

• Preparing year-end accounts for sole traders and limited companies
• Preparing personal Self Assessment tax returns
• Assisting with corporation tax compliance
• Preparing and submitting VAT returns
• Supporting clients with Making Tax Digital requirements
• Preparing and filing Confirmation Statements
• Assisting with general accounts and tax compliance work

Bookkeeping and Payroll

• Completing bookkeeping for a portfolio of clients
• Reviewing financial records and identifying discrepancies or queries
• Completing bank and control account reconciliations
• Assisting with the preparation of management accounts
• Processing weekly and monthly payrolls
• Liaising directly with clients to obtain information and resolve bookkeeping queries

Client and Practice Administration

• Preparing engagement letters and onboarding new clients
• Assisting with anti-money laundering and client identification checks
• Requesting accounting records and supporting information from clients
• Responding to routine client queries by telephone and email
• Scheduling work and monitoring filing deadlines
• Supporting billing and credit-control activity
• Completing general administration associated with the running of an accountancy practice

You will be organised, dependable and keen to develop your career within a growing accountancy practice.

Ideally, you will have:

• Previous experience working within an accountancy practice
• Practical experience completing bookkeeping and VAT returns
• A good understanding of double-entry bookkeeping
• Some experience preparing year-end accounts and/or Self Assessment tax returns
• Good Microsoft Excel skills
• Strong attention to detail and numerical accuracy
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills
• Confidence communicating with clients by telephone and email
• The ability to manage multiple clients, priorities and deadlines
• A positive attitude and willingness to learn and take on additional responsibilities

Experience using systems such as Xero, QuickBooks, Sage, Dext or IRIS would be beneficial, although experience across all platforms is not required.

An AAT qualification or current AAT study would be advantageous but is not essential. Relevant accountancy practice experience will be equally valued.

You will receive training and support across the practice’s systems and processes. As this is a broad and varied position, you will have the opportunity to gain experience across multiple areas of accountancy and taxation.

As your knowledge and confidence develop, you will be encouraged to take greater ownership of client work and client relationships. Support towards relevant professional qualifications, including AAT, may also be available.

• Salary of £27,000–£30,000 per annum, depending on experience
• Permanent, full-time position
• Workplace pension
• Statutory holiday entitlement
• Training and professional development
• Potential study support
• Opportunity to take on increased responsibility as the practice grows

If you have experience within an accountancy practice and are looking for a varied role offering genuine development opportunities, we would be delighted to hear from you.

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