Accounts Assistant

Wolferstans; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm in Plymouth is seeking an Accounts Assistant to join their finance team. The role involves managing financial data, assisting with reports, and supporting the Credit Controller. Candidates should possess excellent communication skills and have a financial qualification preferable. The firm offers a supportive environment with a comprehensive benefits package including generous annual leave and health care plans.

Benefits

5 weeks annual leave plus bank holidays

Day off for your birthday

Health Care Plan

Social gatherings and wellbeing initiatives

Qualifications

• Experience as a bookkeeper or accounts assistant is required.
• Ability to handle confidential information with professionalism.
• Proactive in professional development.

Responsibilities

• Manage financial data through spreadsheets and nominal ledgers.
• Calculate and check payments and records for accuracy.
• Assist Finance Manager with monthly and quarterly financial submissions.

Skills

Outstanding communication skills

Strong time management

Exceptional attention to detail

Education

Financial Qualification (AAT or equivalent)

Tools

Intermediate/advanced Excel skills

Accounting software

Job description

The Opportunity...

We are looking for an Accounts Assistant to join our finance team, working alongside our Finance Manager and Credit Controller to provide vital administrative and accounting support, ensuring smooth financial operations within the organisation.

You will be part of a supportive and flexible working environment where you have the ability to further your career aspirations. Our benefits package includes 5 weeks annual leave plus bank holidays and an extended break over the Christmas period, you are also awarded a day off for your birthday and will be signed up to our Health Care Plan designed with wellbeing in mind. Furthermore, we organise social gatherings and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year for all our employees, enhancing our supportive and inclusive work culture.

We have recently received national recognition for our commitment to excellence; winning Silver at the UK Customer Experience Awards for the 2 nd year running in the category of "Best CX for Vulnerable Customers" and winning "Excellence in Client Care" at the 2023 LawNet Awards. These awards are alongside our continued presence in the Times Best Law Firms list - why not come and be a part of our success?

We are proud to have been recognised for our dedication to fostering a compassionate workplace environment. We were the first firm in Plymouth to be awarded the title of Compassionate Workplace by St Luke's Plymouth, and more recently achieved the bronze award for the Wellbeing at Work programme facilitated by Livewell Southwest, with ongoing efforts towards obtaining our silver award.

What will you do?

As an already experienced accounts assistant, with a strong understanding of accounting principles you will be able to assist with all aspects of our accounts procedures and understand the importance of attention to detail, reconciliations and timely information.

Your main responsibilities in the role will be:

• Working with spreadsheets, nominal ledgers and journals to manage and organise financial data.
• Calculating and checking to make sure payments, amounts and records are correct, cross-checking records to ensure accuracy.
• Reviewing costs against budgets and reporting key variances to the Finance Manager.
• Processing expense requests.
• Cover and support of the Credit Controller.
• Assisting the Finance Manager with and preparation and submission of:
  • Monthly management information
  • Quarterly VAT returns
  • Payroll
  • Year-end financial information
  • Statutory Financial Audit information
  • Other regulatory finance information
  • Benchmarking data
  • Budgets and forecasting

What do you offer?

You will be committed to delivering an exceptional client experience, consistently demonstrating the firm's values and a passion for excellence in legal service.

Skills & Attributes

You will have:

• Outstanding communication and client care skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport at all levels.
• Strong time management and prioritisation abilities, ensuring deadlines are met while maintaining high-quality work.
• Exceptional attention to detail, applying a meticulous approach to case management and legal analysis.

You are able to:

• Handle confidential and sensitive information with professionalism and discretion.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with colleagues, clients, and external stakeholders.
• Thrive under pressure, managing competing priorities effectively while maintaining a high standard of work.

Professional & Technical Expertise

You have/are:

• Financial Qualification (AAT or equivalent) is preferred.
• Proven experience as a bookkeeper or an accounts assistant
• Proficiency in IT, particularly with intermediate/advanced Excel skills.
• Proficient in the use of accounting software.
• Proactive in your professional development, working towards competencies at the next level and continuously seeking growth opportunities.

Mindset & Approach

You:

• Take ownership of your work, contributing to the firm's success and driving positive outcomes.
• Are adaptable and embrace change, demonstrating a solutions-focused mindset.
• Commit to ongoing learning and development, attending courses, webinars, and industry events to stay at the forefront of legal practice.

Applications will officially close on 31 August 2025. However, we are keen to talk to suitable candidates at the earliest possible opportunity and will close the vacancy to new applications once conversations reach an advanced stage to avoid a delay. We would therefore urge candidates who are interested in this vacancy to get in touch ASAP and discuss the opportunity with us.