Assistant Accountant

Crane Building Services & Utilities; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Crane Building Services and Utilities (BSU) is seeking an Assistant Accountant to provide key financial support across three sites and a UK-wide cash pool. The role covers banking, VAT returns, fixed assets, and SOX compliance, with regular liaison with internal/external auditors and budget preparation.

You will contribute to month-end journals, reconciliations and reports, with ad hoc duties as required. The successful candidate will thrive under pressure and have strong Excel and ERP

Qualifications

• AAT or qualified by experience.
• Strong MS Excel skills.
• Experience with an integrated ERP system (QAD) is advantageous.
• Manufacturing experience and knowledge of US GAAP/UK GAAP/SOX is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Own daily banking activities and UK cash pool with multiple accounts/currencies.
• Raising supplier payments and various monthly payments.
• Prepare quarterly VAT returns and monthly payments on account.
• Post journals and perform month-end balance sheet reconciliations.
• Manage fixed assets across three sites including depreciation, additions and disposals.
• Support external/internal audits and preparation of auditor information.
• Assist with monthly/annual SOX reviews and tax pack collation.
• Collaborate with department managers to review costs and assist with budgeting.
• Identify process improvements and participate in continuous improvement events.

Skills

MS Excel

SOX knowledge

QAD ERP experience

Education

AAT or equivalent experience

Tools

QAD ERP

Job description

We’re looking for a motivated Assistant Accountant to join our team, providing key financial support to a successful business with an annual turnover of over £100 million.

The successful candidate will be a key member of the Ipswich finance team looking after banking, payments & VAT returns, managing fixed assets across three sites, supporting SOX compliance activities, and the preparation of month end journals, reconciliations and reports. There will also be ad hoc requests including working with internal and external auditors.

Principle Responsibilities

• Ownership of daily banking activities, managing multiple accounts and currencies within a UK-wide cash pool.
• Raising of supplier payment runs and various payments throughout the month.
• Preparation of quarterly VAT returns and monthly payments on account
• Preparation & posting of journals.
• Completion of month end balance sheet reconciliations using our Blackline system
• Management of fixed assets across three sites, posting monthly depreciation charges and handling additions, disposals, and verifications.
• Entry of new leases into our CoStar database, posting monthly costs and reconciling various balance sheet and P&L accounts.
• Assisting with external and internal audit information preparation and auditor questions.
• Collation of annual Tax Pack for submission to external tax advisors.
• Support with monthly and annual SOX reviews.
• Identification and implementation of improvement ideas and participation in continuous improvement events.
• Review of monthly costs with department managers and setting of annual budgets.
• Other ad-hoc requests as required.

Qualifications/Experience/Training

• AAT or qualified by experience.
• Strong MS Excel skills.
• Previous experience of an integrated ERP system - QAD would be an advantage.
• Experience of working in a manufacturing business would be an advantage.
• Knowledge of SOX/ US GAAP/UK GAAP would be an advantage.

Personal Characteristics

• Good levels of resilience and able to respond well under pressure.
• Good communication and team working skills.
• Proven ability to work to tight reporting deadlines and strong levels of attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills and the ability to effectively prioritise workload.
• Have a confident and flexible approach to work and the ability to influence to get great results.
• Role-modeling a ‘can-do’ positive attitude at all times.
• Excellent analytical, problem solving/decision making skills with the ability to make timely, effective and fact based proposals.

About Us

Crane Building Services and Utilities (BS&U) is part of the Fluid Handling Division of Crane Co. founded in 1855, which is a global, multi-industry, New York Stock Exchange quoted company. We design, manufacture, package and market engineered flow control solutions for the HVAC and Utility sectors, with strong sales into key growth export markets.

The name Crane speaks of who we are, what we stand for and how our customers perceive us: A company with history and tradition, but also a company that is innovative, quality minded and one which acts with integrity and still holds to the resolution of its founder.

Crane Co. was founded on 4th July 1855 by Richard Teller Crane who made the following resolution:

"I am resolved to conduct my business in the strictest honesty and fairness; to avoid all deception and trickery; to deal fairly with both customers and competitors; to be liberal and just towards employees; and to put my whole mind upon the business."

The essence of this resolution is the business policy of Crane Co. today.

We believe that embracing inclusion and diversity is key to our success and as such we are seeking applications from candidates who will contribute their different backgrounds, cultures and experiences to our business. #BSU