Assistant Accountant

The Carbon Trust; London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A global climate consultancy is seeking an Assistant Accountant to join their finance team in London. You will maintain accurate financial records, support payroll and reconciliations, and contribute to various finance-related reports. The ideal candidate has strong financial experience and proficiency in Microsoft Excel. This position offers a competitive salary, performance-based bonuses, and flexible working arrangements, including the possibility to work from home up to 3 days a week.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Performance-based bonus

28 days paid holiday

Generous pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Travel card loans

Qualifications

• Experience in a finance or accounting role required.
• Demonstrable attention to detail and ability to prioritize.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel is essential.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the monthly reconciliation of payroll.
• Prepare and report on headcount data.
• Support the preparation of VAT returns.

Skills

Attention to detail

Understanding of accounting principles

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Proactivity

Discretion with confidential information

Education

AAT qualified or working towards ACCA / CIMA / ACA

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

About the role

As Assistant Accountant you'll be part of a collaborative finance team, helping us to maintain accurate financial records and supporting the day-to-day accounting processes to ensure operations run smoothly.

About us

The Carbon Trust is a global climate consultancy driven by the mission to accelerate the move to a decarbonised future. We offer our clients and partners leading edge practical solutions to turn climate ambition into impact. We have been climate pioneers for more than 20 years, working with leading businesses, governments, philanthropies and financial institutions to reduce carbon emissions and accelerate their route to Net Zero. We have a global network of over 400 experts, who enable our clients and partners to take ambitious climate action.

Key responsibilities

• Payroll: Responsible for the monthly reconciliation of payroll, ensuring accuracy and completeness and for the forecasting of payroll costs by individual and region, working closely with HR and Finance colleagues
• Headcount Review: Responsible for preparing and reporting on headcount data, including variance analysis and commentary.
• VAT Returns: Support the preparation of VAT returns for the UK and International Entities.
• Journal Entries: Create monthly journals to update the general ledger as required.
• Reconciliations: Prepare monthly reconciliations including intercompany, accommodation, and other relevant accounts as required.
• Project Support: Contribute to finance-related reviews and reporting of client projects as required.
• Month-End Support: Assist with journal entries, accruals, and reconciliations, ensuring timely month-end close.
• International reporting: Includes other international jurisdictions, foreign currencies and offices (including Mexico, Singapore, South Africa, Germany and Netherlands).
• Audit Preparation: Help compile documentation for internal and external audits.
• General Admin: Respond to finance queries and support wider finance operations.

Key skills

• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy but also able to prioritise effectively and meet deadlines
• Good understanding of accounting principles with a good level of proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Effective communication and organisation skills
• Proactive and eager to learn
• Discreet with confidential financial information

Qualifications and experience

As the successful candidate you will have strong demonstrable experience working in a finance or accounting role and will ideally be AAT qualified or will be working towards ACCA / CIMA / ACA.

Salary & Benefits

We offer a competitive salary and a performance-based bonus. Our hours are 37.5 per week with 28 days paid holiday plus bank holidays and a generous pension scheme.

At the Carbon Trust we offer flexibility around working between the office and home, our employees can work from home up to 3 days per week.

Our head office is in London, close to Blackfriars and Waterloo stations, we offer travel card loans, a cycle to work scheme, company away days and a 24-hour Employee Assistance Helpline.

Joining the Carbon Trust offers the opportunity to work alongside leading experts in the low-carbon field, contributing to innovative solutions for a more sustainable future. To apply, please visit our application page and submit your CV and cover letter.

We believe that when people feel respected and included, they can truly flourish. We\'re committed to advancing equal opportunities and we\'re dedicated to building a multifaceted, equitable and inclusive culture. If you don\'t meet all the requirements but you have the skills and the experience, we would encourage you to apply and tell us why you are the right person for the job.

The application deadline is Sunday 5th October 2025; however, we may close the position early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Due to our hybrid and flexible working policies, some interviews and onboarding processes may be conducted via video conferencing.

At the Carbon Trust, we are guided by our core values: integrity, ambition, collaboration, and excellence.