Assistant Accountant

ELE Advanced Technologies Ltd; Nelson; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

ELE Advanced Technologies Ltd is seeking an Assistant Accountant to support the Finance Manager in maintaining accurate records, delivering timely month-end reporting, and overseeing purchase and sales ledgers in a manufacturing environment.

You will help with bank reconciliations, journals, VAT returns, intercompany reconciliations, and assist with year-end schedules, audits, and improvements to finance processes.

Qualifications

• GCSE Maths and English are essential.
• Proven experience as an Assistant Accountant or similar role.
• Professional accounting qualification is desirable.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Purchase Ledger: process supplier payments, resolve queries, reconcile statements, post payments and maintain supplier master data.
• Financial Reporting & Control: prepare accruals/prepayments, perform balance sheet reconciliations, post journals, assist month-end close, support audits and year-end schedules.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Teamwork

Microsoft Excel

Finance systems experience

Analytical skills

Double-entry bookkeeping

Education

GCSE Maths and English

Professional accounting qualification (desirable)

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Join Our Finance Team

We are looking for a proactive and detail-oriented Assistant Accountant to support the Finance Manager in maintaining accurate financial records, delivering timely month-end reporting, and ensuring the efficient operation of the purchase ledger, sales ledger and banking functions. The role will contribute to the financial control environment and support continuous improvement across the finance function and offers exposure to a wide range of finance tasks in a dynamic manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

Purchase Ledger Support

• Prepare and process supplier payment runs.
• Investigate and resolve supplier queries.
• Perform supplier statement reconciliations.
• Post and allocate supplier payments and credit notes.
• Assist with maintaining accurate supplier master data.
• Support the management of aged creditors.

Financial Reporting & Control

• Prepare monthly accruals and prepayments.
• Complete balance sheet reconciliations and investigate reconciling items.
• Post and reconcile journals as required.
• Assist with month-end close activities.
• Support audit requests and preparation of year-end schedules.
• Maintain accuracy and integrity of accounting records.

Sales Ledger Support

• Provide cover for Accounts Receivable activities during periods of absence.
• Post and allocate customer receipts.
• Support credit control activities where required.
• Resolve customer account queries.
• Reconcile customer accounts and investigate discrepancies.

Banking & Cash Management

• Post daily bank transactions.
• Perform bank reconciliations across multiple accounts.
• Assist with cash flow reporting and forecasting.
• Monitor and investigate unreconciled banking items.

Additional Responsibilities

• Support stock accounting processes.
• Assist with standard cost updates and manufacturing variance reporting.
• Assist with VAT returns and other statutory filings.
• Support implementation and improvement of finance systems and processes.
• Prepare intercompany reconciliations and transactions.
• Assist with cash flow reporting and forecasting.
• Support annual audit and tax compliance processes.
• Produce ad hoc analysis and reporting for operational stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to improve controls, efficiency and automation within finance processes.

Essential Skills & Attributes

• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Resilient under pressure and able to handle confidential information.
• Strong MS Office skills and confidence using finance systems.
• Previous experience in a finance or accounting role.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Good understanding of double-entry bookkeeping.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience of ERP/accounting systems preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Ability to work to deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Personal Attributes

• Proactive and willing to take ownership.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Positive, team-oriented approach.
• Eager to learn and develop within a growing business.

Qualifications & Experience

• GCSE Maths and English (essential).
• Proven experience as an Assistant Accountant or similar role.
• Professional accounting qualification desirable.
• Previous experience in manufacturing environment advantageous.

If you are committed to accuracy, continuous improvement, and want to grow your finance career, apply today and join our supportive team!