Accounts Assistant

Heidi Wright Recruitment Limited; Carlisle; On-site; GBP 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm in Carlisle is seeking an Accounts Assistant to join their finance team. The role involves preparing sales reports, performing bank reconciliations, managing customer rebate records, and processing transactions. Ideal candidates should have strong attention to detail, effective time management skills, and ideally be studying towards an AAT qualification. The role offers a competitive salary and various benefits, including flexible work hours and study support.

Benefits

Salary region £28,000 (DOE)

25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays

Flexible working hours

½ day off weekly for AAT tutorials

Study support package available

Pension (up to 5%)

Death in service benefit – 3 x annual salary

Employee Assistance Programme

Dental support programme

Benefit Hub discounts

Recognition scheme

Regular social events

Qualifications

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in all work.
• Effective time management and ability to meet deadlines.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Ideally studying towards or keen to study towards AAT qualification.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and issue the daily sales report for management.
• Perform weekly bank reconciliations and net debt reporting.
• Manage customer rebate records and month-end provisions.
• Process employee expenses and ensure compliance.
• Issue and reconcile intercompany statements accurately.
• Process purchase ledger and banking transactions timely.
• Maintain the Purchase Order system accurately.
• Perform supplier payment runs and reconcile statements.
• Provide cover across the wider finance team as needed.
• Assist with audit requests and internal reporting.

Skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Communication skills

Proficient in Microsoft Excel

Team player

Education

AAT qualification

Job description

About the Opportunity

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an Accounts Assistant to join the finance team of a well-established and successful large business based in Carlisle.

This role offers the opportunity to develop your finance experience across all areas — from purchase ledger and reconciliations to assisting with management reporting. It’s ideal for someone who enjoys working with numbers, has strong attention to detail, and wants to progress their career, while studying towards the AAT qualification (if desired).

Key Responsibilities

Prepare and issue the daily sales report, providing management with insight and commentary on key trends.

Perform weekly bank reconciliations and net debt reporting, investigating and resolving anomalies.

Manage customer rebate records, including month-end provision calculations, reconciliations, and data uploads.

Process and account for employee expenses and company credit cards, ensuring compliance with policy.

Issue and reconcile intercompany statements, ensuring accurate group reporting.

Process purchase ledger, banking, and nominal transactions accurately and on time.

Maintain and manage the Purchase Order system, ensuring accurate coding and authorisation.

Perform supplier payment runs and reconcile supplier statements, resolving queries promptly.

Provide support and cover across the wider finance team, including credit control when required.

Assist with audit requests, internal reporting, and continuous improvement of finance processes.

Skills & Experience

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in all work.
• Effective time management and ability to meet deadlines in a busy environment.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• A team player with the ability to work independently when needed.
• Ideally studying towards, or keen to study towards, AAT qualification.

What’s on Offer

• Salary region £28,000 (DOE)
• 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays
• Additional 1 day holiday for every 5 years of service (up to 3 extra days)
• Option to buy or sell up to 5 days’ holiday per year
• 40 hours Mon-Fri - flexible on start / finish times to suit the individual
• ½ day off each week to attend in-person AAT tutorials in Carlisle
• Study support package available (tailored to the successful candidate)
• Pension (up to 5%)
• Death in service benefit – 3 x annual salary
• Employee Assistance Programme – mental and physical well being support for employees and families
• Dental support programme
• Benefit Hub – discounts across retail, hospitality, travel and more
• Recognition scheme
• Regular social events throughout the year
• Supportive and friendly working environment with genuine career progression opportunities