Assistant Accountant – Maternity Cover

HANNON Transport Ltd.; Aghalee; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Training opportunities

Company benefits

Job summary

Hannon Transport Ltd. in Aghalee is seeking an Assistant Accountant for a maternity cover, Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm. You will support month-end reporting, balance sheet integrity, and day-to-day transactional finance activities within the Finance team.

Ideal candidates will have at least 3 years of finance experience, strong Excel skills, and familiarity with Sage or similar ERP systems. The role offers a competitive salary (£35,000–£40,000) and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years' relevant experience in a finance role.
• Experience in management accounts, reconciliations and month-end processes.
• Excellent attention to detail with strong numerical skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation of monthly management accounts.
• Prepare monthly accruals and prepayments.
• Support trial balance reconciliations and journal postings.
• Assist with month-end close processes to ensure deadlines are achieved.
• Process sales and purchase invoices and supplier payments.
• Perform bank reconciliations, expenses processing and credit card postings.
• Maintain balance sheet reconciliations and investigate discrepancies.

Skills

Attention to detail

Numerical skills

Verbal and written communication

Time management

Tools

Excel

Sage

Job description

Job Purpose

The Assistant Accountant supports the Finance team in maintaining accurate financial records, producing timely management information, and ensuring compliance with internal controls and statutory requirements.

Job Description

Job Information

Job Title Assistant Accountant – Maternity Cover

Department Finance

Reports To Financial Controller

Location Aghalee

Salary Range £35,000–£40,000 depending on experience

Shift Pattern Monday-Friday 9am-5pm

Job Purpose

The role contributes to month-end reporting, balance sheet integrity, and day-to-day transactional finance activity while working closely with the wider Finance team and operational stakeholders. Due to the temporary nature of this position, we are looking for an experienced and proactive individual who can hit the ground running and make an immediate impact at Hannon. The successful candidate will be expected to work with a high degree of autonomy and provide continuity across key finance activities throughout the approximately 12-month maternity cover period. The salary range reflects the requirements and level of experience required for this position.

Duties And Responsibilities

Management Accounts Support

• Assist in the preparation of monthly management accounts
• Prepare monthly accruals and prepayments
• Support Trial Balance reconciliations and journal postings
• Assist with month-end close processes to ensure deadlines are achieved

Accounts Processing & Transactions

• Process sales and purchase invoices as required
• Complete supplier payments in line with company controls
• Perform bank reconciliations, expenses processing, and credit card postings
• Ensure financial transactions are accurately recorded in the accounting system

Balance Sheet & Reconciliations

• Maintain balance sheet reconciliations, including intercompany accounts
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies promptly
• Ensure supporting documentation is complete and audit-ready

Compliance & Statutory Reporting

• Prepare VAT, Intrastat, EC Sales Lists, and other statutory or statistical returns
• Ensure compliance with Revenue requirements and financial regulations
• NI & ROI VAT experience required
• Support tax reconciliations and reporting as required

Audit & Year-End Support

• Support preparation of year-end statutory accounts
• Assist with audit requirements, including provision of schedules and ad-hoc analysis
• Respond to audit queries in a timely and professional manner

General Finance Duties

• Undertake other ad-hoc finance duties as required
• Support continuous improvement within the finance function
• Collaborate with internal departments to ensure financial accuracy and control
• Take ownership of assigned finance activities and ensure these are completed accurately and within required deadlines

Essential

Knowledge, skills and experience required

• Minimum of 3 years' relevant experience in a finance role
• Experience in management accounts, reconciliations and month-end processes
• Excellent attention to detail with strong numerical skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and competing deadlines
• Team-focused with a flexible and proactive approach
• Strong Excel skills and confidence using finance systems
• Ability to work independently, take ownership of responsibilities and contribute effectively with minimal supervision
• Ability to quickly understand new processes, systems and business requirements

Desirable

• Experience in a high-volume finance department
• Experience in a multi-company, multi-currency environment
• Knowledge of UK and Irish VAT
• Working knowledge of Sage or similar ERP accounting systems
• Experience working within a transport, logistics or similar operational environment

Personal Attributes

• Highly organised and methodical
• Reliable, professional, and accountable
• Analytical with a problem-solving mindset
• Proactive and able to quickly establish themselves within a new environment
• Collaborative and supportive team player
• Adaptable and comfortable in a fast-paced environment
• Confident taking ownership and working with a high degree of autonomy

Why join Hannon Transport

• Join a company focused on innovation, sustainability and growth
• Professional development and training opportunities
• A competitive salary and company benefits are available for the right candidate

Note: This description is intended to be a guide of what duties are most likely to be but should not be taken as a definitive list. Hannon may adapt duties as deemed necessary.