Assistant Accountant (Maternity Cover)

Artemis Human Capital; Newtownabbey; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Workplace pension scheme

Health insurance

Death-in-service benefits

Handover and support from finance team

Job summary

Artemis Human Capital seeks an Assistant Accountant for a leading fire and security solutions provider operating across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The 15–18 month fixed-term maternity cover reports to the Finance Director, owning the month-end process through Trial Balance with strong financial controls. The role includes VAT, payroll journals, and management reporting, with a hands-on, independent workload.

Qualifications

• AAT or ACCA/CIMA part-qualification or QBE accounting background.
• Experience preparing accounts through Trial Balance.
• Strong double-entry bookkeeping, journals, accruals and prepayments.
• Proficient Excel skills and familiarity with Sage.

Responsibilities

• Maintain general ledger and record financial transactions accurately.
• Prepare and post journals, accruals and prepayments for month-end.
• Maintain fixed asset registers and depreciation schedules.
• Complete monthly balance sheet reconciliations and investigate discrepancies.
• Manage bank reconciliations, cashbook postings and supplier statements.
• Monitor ledger integrity and review aged creditors balances.
• Produce monthly management accounts through Trial Balance.
• Provide VAT returns and reconciliations; post payroll journals.

Skills

Double-entry bookkeeping

Journal postings

Excel

Pivot Tables

XLOOKUP

Education

AAT Qualified

ACCA/CIMA Part-Qualified

Qualified by Experience (QBE)

Tools

Sage accounting software

Job description

We are delighted to be recruiting for an Assistant Accountant to join a leading fire and security solutions provider operating throughout Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced finance professional to join an established and growing organisation on a 15–18 month fixed-term maternity cover contract. Reporting directly to the Finance Director, you’ll take ownership of the month-end accounting process through to Trial Balance, ensuring accurate financial reporting and maintaining strong financial controls across the business.

Offering a varied, hands‑on role with responsibility across financial accounting, reconciliations, VAT and month-end reporting, this opportunity would suit an organised and technically capable accounting professional who enjoys working independently and taking ownership of their workload.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain the general ledger, ensuring all financial transactions are accurately recorded
• Prepare and post journals, accruals and prepayments as part of the month‑end process
• Maintain fixed asset registers and depreciation schedules
• Complete monthly balance sheet reconciliations, investigating and resolving discrepancies
• Manage bank reconciliations, cashbook postings and supplier statement reconciliations
• Monitor sales and purchase ledger integrity, including reviewing aged creditor balances
• Prepare monthly management accounts through to Trial Balance stage
• Produce supporting schedules for accruals, prepayments, fixed assets and balance sheet reconciliations
• Prepare VAT returns and associated reconciliations
• Post payroll journals and reconcile payroll control accounts
• Support year‑end audit requirements and provide relevant financial documentation
• Liaise with operational teams to support accurate job costing and revenue recognition
• Assist with management reporting, financial controls and ongoing process improvements

Who We’re Looking For

• AAT Qualified, Part‑Qualified ACCA/CIMA, or an experienced QBE accounting professional
• Experience preparing accounts through to Trial Balance stage
• Strong understanding of double‑entry bookkeeping, journals, accruals and prepayments
• Experience completing balance sheet and bank reconciliations
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP and data analysis
• Previous experience using Sage accounting software
• Knowledge of VAT returns, payroll journals and financial controls

What’s On Offer

• Competitive salary
• 15–18 month fixed‑term maternity cover contract
• Workplace pension scheme
• Health insurance and death‑in‑service benefits, subject to qualifying period
• Opportunity to work closely with and report directly to the Finance Director
• Comprehensive handover and support from the existing finance team

Tagged as: Monthly Management Accounts, Purchase Ledger, Trial Balance, VAT Returns