Assistant Accountant

Colas; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction firm is seeking an Assistant Accountant to join their Head Office Finance team based in Solihull. The role involves accurate management and analysis of Head Office subledger costs, supporting budgeting and month-end reporting. Ideal candidates are part-qualified accountants with management accounting experience and a strong grasp of ERP systems, particularly JD Edwards. The position offers a salary between £30,000 and £35,000, hybrid working options, and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Salary between £30,000 and £35,000

Colas Pension Scheme with up to 10% contributions

Life Assurance Scheme at x4 basic salary

25 days annual leave + Public Holidays

Holiday Purchase & Selling Scheme

Opportunities for fully funded Professional Qualification

Ongoing personal/professional development

Discounts on various services through employee benefits portal

Qualifications

• Experience in management accounting.
• Ability to work autonomously and manage multiple priorities.
• Proactive and critical-thinking approach.

Responsibilities

• Review Head Office subledger costs on a monthly basis.
• Ensure all month-end closing entries are accurately posted.
• Prepare monthly cost control reviews and perform detailed reconciliations.

Skills

Advanced Excel skills

Strong analytical capabilities

Organisational skills

Critical thinking

Effective communication

Education

Part-qualified accountant

Tools

ERP systems

JD Edwards

Job description

Colas Ltd is a UK subsidiary of the global Colas Group, operating in over 50 countries and employing more than 55,000 people worldwide, including over 1,500 in the UK across multiple sites. We specialize in highways construction and have been involved in large‑scale UK and international construction projects within the highways, airfields, and marine sectors, as well as providing highways maintenance services and manufacturing our own innovative surfacing products. We hold a "Gold Investor in People" award for continuously developing and rewarding our employees, offering excellent career potential.

Video about the company

Purpose of the role

Colas Ltd offers a great opportunity for an Assistant Accountant to join the Head Office Finance team based in Solihull. The role is responsible for the accurate management, allocation and analysis of Head Office subledger costs, supporting effective cost control, budgeting and month‑end reporting. The Assistant Accountant works closely with subledger owners and finance colleagues to ensure timely, accurate and compliant financial information.

Main Responsibilities

The Assistant Accountant reviews Head Office subledger costs on a monthly basis and ensures all month‑end closing entries are accurately posted within deadlines. Responsibilities include preparing monthly cost control reviews, posting accruals, prepayments and work‑in‑progress journals, and performing detailed reconciliations and cost analysis to reflect the most accurate accounting position. The role calculates and processes monthly internal recharges, raises invoices for external recharges, and reviews aged GRNI balances, proposing corrections where required. Additional tasks include inputting payments on banking platforms, producing Office for National Statistics (ONS) returns, posting ad hoc journals when required, and working collaboratively with business unit finance managers to ensure financial processes are consistently followed. All activities are carried out with due regard for health and safety, environmental responsibility and corporate and legal requirements.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be a part‑qualified accountant with experience in management accounting and a good working knowledge of ERP systems, with JD Edwards experience being advantageous. They will possess advanced Excel skills and demonstrate strong analytical and organisational capabilities, coupled with excellent attention to detail. The candidate will be comfortable working autonomously, display a proactive and critical‑thinking approach, and communicate effectively with stakeholders across the business. A collaborative mindset and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline‑driven environment are essential.

Package Description

• A salary between £30,000 and £35,000 (dependent on experience and qualification)
• Our Colas Pension Scheme has combined contributions of up to 10%
• Life Assurance Scheme which is x4 basic salary
• 25 days annual leave per year + Public Holidays
• Holiday Purchase & Selling Scheme
• Hybrid Working Scheme (dependent on the role)
• Opportunities to study towards a fully funded Professional Qualification
• Ongoing personal / professional development
• Discounts on car leasing, holidays, cinema tickets, restaurants and much more through our online employee benefits portal

Company Values

At Colas, our culture is guided by four core values: Respect, Commitment, Pioneering, and Sharing. These values shape how we work, collaborate, and grow together, fostering fairness, transparency, inclusion, dedication, innovation, and trust across the business.

EEO Statement

Colas Ltd is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that mirrors the communities we serve. As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Recruitment Agency Notice

In line with our Company Policy, Colas Ltd has a preference for direct hiring and will reach out to our PSL (Preferred Suppliers List) agencies if the role is eligible for release. We do not accept speculative CVs from agencies. If a speculative CV is sent, no fee will be applicable.

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