Assistant Accountant (Accounts Payable)

Shorefields; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

35 days' holiday (including bank hols)

Excellent benefits & CPD

Lunch in term time

Discounted sport club membership

Job summary

New Hall School is seeking an assistant accountant to support the Finance Department, with a focus on Accounts Payable, supplier management, and month-end processes. This is a full-time role suitable for graduates or early-career finance professionals.

Based in Chelmsford, the post requires strong numerical accuracy and experience with computerised accounting systems such as Lightyear. AAT qualification (or progress toward one) is preferred, and progression via an apprenticeship may be supported.

Qualifications

• Strong numerical and organisational skills with finance/accounting experience.
• AAT qualification or progress toward one preferred.
• Experience with computerised accounting systems (Purchasing, AP, expense software such as Lightyear).
• Willingness to undertake apprenticeship programme subject to probation.

Responsibilities

• Process supplier invoices and route via approval workflow.
• Review budget holder coded invoices and prepare for payment.
• Reconcile supplier accounts and purchase ledger monthly.
• Prepare payments including BACS and international payments.
• Assist with month-end close and prepayments/ accrual journals.
• Support management accounting and audit requirements.

Skills

Numerical skills

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

AAT qualification

A Level standard

Tools

Lightyear

Job description

Job Ref No. ECC0-663S Position Type: Administration Pay Range: £29,278.00 - £33,461.00 Annually (FTE)

Position Start Date: Immediate Contract Type: Full-time Contract Term: Permanent

Application Close: 01/10/2026 Midday Date of Interviews: As soon as possible

New Hall School is seeking to appoint a conscientious, highly organised and detail-oriented Assistant Accountant to support the effective operation of the Finance Department, with a particular focus on Accounts Payable processes.

This is an excellent opportunity for either a graduate or early-career finance professional wishing to develop a career in accounting, or for an experienced Accounts Payable practitioner seeking a varied role within a leading independent school. Working as part of a collaborative Finance team, the successful candidate will contribute to the smooth delivery of the School's financial operations, including supplier management, purchase ledger administration, reconciliations and month-end procedures.

Applicants should possess strong numerical and organisational skills and have experience within a finance or accounting environment. An AAT qualification, or progress towards one, would be advantageous. The School may support the successful candidate in undertaking an appropriate AAT apprenticeship programme, subject to suitability, successful completion of the probationary period (or earlier by agreement), and a minimum of six months' service.

Key responsibilities:

• to support and contribute to the Catholic ethos of the School and its strategic aims
• to use Lightyear or similar purchase and approval software to process supplier invoices, match invoices to purchase orders and route invoices through the approval workflow in a timely manner
• to review budget holder coded invoices and correct where necessary and prepare approved invoices for payment
• to understand the School's VAT structure and identify and communicate any potentially recoverable expenditure, including VAT where applicable
• to support the preparation of payment runs, including BACS and international payments, ensuring appropriate controls and authorisations are obtained
• to reconcile supplier accounts and the purchase ledger on a monthly basis, investigating and resolving any reconciling items promptly
• to undertake monthly and year-end purchase ledger close procedures in accordance with financial timetables and accounting policies
• to identify, calculate and prepare prepayment and accrual journals in accordance with accounting procedures
• to support the management accounting process and assist with audit requirements, providing increasing responsibility as experience is gained
• to understand Billing and Credit Control processes and provide effective cover and support during busy periods, as well as periods of holiday and sickness absence

The successful candidate will be expected:

• to have a clear understanding of, and commitment to, the aims and ethos of a Catholic independent boarding and day school
• to be educated to A Level standard at grades A or B (or equivalent)
• to hold an AAT qualification (or equivalent)
• to have experience of working with computerised accounting systems especially Purchasing, Accounts Payable & Expense Management Software (such as Lightyear)
• to have previous experience of working in a School or similar educational environment
• to demonstrate a high level of accuracy, discretion, and attention to detail
• to have excellent communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills

What New Hall offers:

35 days' holiday (including bank holidays)
Excellent benefits & CPD
Lunch without charge in term time
Discounted annual membership for New Hall Sport Club
New Hall School offers an exceptional working environment. The main campus occupies the stunning Grade I listed former Tudor palace of Beaulieu. The School's conference and events venue is at the Grade I listed Boreham House, one mile away. New Hall is a warm, welcoming, and supportive community, with a staff of around 300.

Beaulieu Park railway station is at the entrance to New Hall's Avenue: 30 minutes to Stratford and 38 minutes to London Liverpool Street.The Elizabeth Line at Shenfield (13 minutes by train) terminates at Heathrow airport. There are nearby airports: London Stansted, London Southend and London City.

HR Department
The Avenue
Boreham, Chelmsford
Essex, CM3 3HS Telephone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Documents

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