Assistant Accountant

Persimmon; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK housebuilder is seeking an Assistant Accountant in Maidstone. The successful candidate will assist the finance team by preparing financial statements, analyzing budgets, and supporting management in decision-making processes. Candidates should be part-qualified in an accounting program and have previous finance experience. The position offers a competitive salary and employee benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Company car/Car allowance

Health Care

Life Cover & Contributory Pension

Bonus

Employee Benefits Platform

Qualifications

• Part-qualified and actively working towards a recognized accounting qualification.
• Previous experience in a finance role.
• Ability to demonstrate attention to detail and strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation of periodic financial statements.
• Analyze variances to budget and provide commentaries.
• Support the Finance Manager with cost analysis.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Education

Part-qualified accounting qualification (ACA/ACCA/CIMA)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Assistant Accountant

Job Title: Assistant Accountant

Location: Maidstone, ME15

Looking for a career where your ambition meets real opportunity? Join Persimmon Homes as an Assistant Accountant and step into a role where your success is celebrated, your growth supported, and your work truly matters.

Why Persimmon Homes?

We’re one of the UK's largest and most established housebuilders - FTSE 100 listed, with 29 regional offices and thousands of quality homes built every year.

At Persimmon, we don't just build homes – we build careers. When you join us as a Assistant Accountant, you'll benefit from:

• Competitive salary
• Company car/Car allowance
• 5* housebuilder – Be part of a company that consistently delivers quality homes and outstanding customer satisfaction
• Health Care
• Life Cover & Contributory Pension
• Bonus
• Employee Benefits Platform – giving you access to high‑street discounts, wellbeing support, and more
• Committed to diversity, inclusion, and empowering your development

What is the role?

This is an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Accountant to join the Finance Team. This role will report to the Finance Manager. The purpose of the role is to provide assistance in delivering an effective financial support function to the local management team and actively participate in the decision‑making and evaluation processes, whilst ensuring all Group reporting requirements are achieved.

What you’ll do as an Assistant Accountant

• Assist in the preparation of periodic financial statements, including profit and loss accounts and forecasts, Balance Sheet reconciliations, VAT Returns, Trading Accounts.
• Analyse variances to budget, forecast and prior periods and provide accurate and concise commentaries.
• Support the Finance Manager and the management team by providing cost analysis.
• Work closely with the Finance Manager and management team to help produce the annual budget.
• Assist in the preparation of the region’s 5‑year plan.
• Support the Finance team’s growth and aim to maximise efficiencies by reviewing and updating reports and processes.
• Maintain fixed asset register and depreciation schedules.
• Maintain and reconcile inter‑company transactions.
• Liaise with external auditors and assist with audit preparation.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and relevant financial regulations and controls.
• Any other accounting duties reasonably required by the Finance Manager.

What we need from you?

• Part‑qualified and actively working towards a recognised accounting qualification (ACA/ACCA/CIMA).
• Previous experience of working in a finance role.
• Experience within the housebuilding sector would also be an advantage but is not essential.
• Ability to demonstrate a professional approach to the working environment, possess commercial awareness, and strong communication skills.
• Good understanding of basic accounting principles and financial procedures.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Good organisational and time‑management skills.
• Ability to research and analyse data.
• Well‑organised with strong mathematical skills and a high level of computer literacy, including Microsoft Excel.