Assistant Accountant

The Advocate Group; Halstead; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

The Advocate Group is partnered with a leading global FMCG manufacturer to recruit an Assistant Accountant for its UK manufacturing site. This role offers an opportunity to move beyond transactional finance and become a true business partner in a fast-paced environment.

You will work closely with Finance and Operations to support site financial performance through accurate reporting, cost analysis and forecasting.

Qualifications

• Experience in an Assistant Accountant, Manufacturing Accountant, Cost Accountant or similar finance role.
• Experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment (food manufacturing advantageous).
• Strong understanding of manufacturing costing and financial reporting.
• Advanced Excel skills and confidence with large financial data sets.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the site's month-end reporting process with a four-day close.
• Prepare financial reports, reconciliations and performance analysis.
• Support budgeting, forecasting and financial planning activities.
• Manage standard costing and ensure accuracy of manufacturing cost data within SAP.
• Analyse manufacturing costs, overheads and product profitability to identify trends.
• Monitor financial and operational KPIs and investigate variances.

Skills

Manufacturing costing

Financial reporting

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Tools

SAP

Excel

Job description

The Advocate Group is proud to partner with a leading global FMCG manufacturer to recruit an Assistant Accountant for its UK manufacturing site.

If you're looking for a role where you can move beyond transactional finance and become a true business partner within a fast‑paced manufacturing environment, this could be the perfect opportunity.

Working closely with Finance and Operations, you'll play a key role in supporting the site's financial performance through accurate reporting, cost analysis and forecasting. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with manufacturing finance experience who enjoys getting into the detail, influencing stakeholders and making a real commercial impact.

What you'll be doing

• Taking ownership of the site's month‑end reporting process, ensuring an accurate four‑day close.
• Preparing financial reports, reconciliations and performance analysis.
• Supporting budgeting, forecasting and financial planning activities.
• Managing standard costing and ensuring the accuracy of manufacturing cost data within SAP.
• Analysing manufacturing costs, overheads and product profitability to identify trends and opportunities.
• Monitoring financial and operational KPIs, investigating variances and providing meaningful insight.
• Partnering with Production, Planning, HR and Operations teams to support business performance and drive informed decision‑making.
• Supporting continuous improvement initiatives across the finance and manufacturing functions.

What we're looking for

• Previous experience in an Assistant Accountant, Manufacturing Accountant, Cost Accountant or similar finance role.
• Experience working within a manufacturing or industrial environment (food manufacturing experience would be advantageous).
• Strong understanding of manufacturing costing and financial reporting.
• SAP experience is highly desirable.
• Advanced Excel skills and confidence working with large volumes of financial data.
• Excellent analytical skills with strong attention to detail.
• A proactive approach and the ability to build strong relationships across both Finance and Operations.

If you're an analytical finance professional with manufacturing experience and you're looking for your next challenge within a collaborative and fast‑paced environment, we'd love to hear from you.

The Advocate Group is a leading recruitment partner to the FMCG and consumer products sector. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability.