Finance Assistant

Clearline Recruitment Ltd; Lewes; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

Clearline Recruitment Ltd is seeking a part-time Finance Assistant on a maternity cover basis for Haywards Heath, East Sussex. The role supports day-to-day financial operations across ledgers, payments, reconciliations, and month-end tasks, with a handover before the maternity start.

Strong Excel skills and confidentiality are essential. The ideal candidate will have 2+ years accounting experience and may have QuickBooks experience.

Qualifications

• 2+ years' accounting experience would be desirable
• Experience using QuickBooks would be advantageous
• AAT qualification or currently studying towards AAT would be desirable
• Relevant finance or accounting qualification would be advantageous

Responsibilities

• Process supplier invoices accurately and maintain purchase ledger records
• Track payment due dates and resolve invoice discrepancies
• Prepare and process supplier payments
• Assist with customer invoices and statements
• Monitor and follow up outstanding customer payments
• Record and reconcile customer payments
• Maintain company bank accounts on a daily basis
• Prepare and process weekly payments
• Assist with month-end financial reporting
• Support the preparation of balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements
• Provide support during audits and financial reviews
• Maintain accurate and organised financial records
• Complete financial data entry and transaction coding
• Ensure invoices, receipts and other financial documents are correctly filed
• Support the wider finance team with ad hoc projects and reporting
• Maintain confidentiality of financial and business information

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Time management

Organisational skills

Team collaboration

Professional communication

Confidential information handling

Proactive learning

Ability to work independently

2+ years accounting experience

Education

AAT qualification

Accounting qualification

Tools

Microsoft Excel

QuickBooks

Job description

Role: Finance Assistant - Maternity Cover

Location: Haywards Heath, East Sussex (Must be a driver due to remote location)

Hours: Part-time, 3 days per week

Pay: 26,000 - 29,000 per annum pro rata

Contract: Fixed-term maternity cover until 2 August 2027

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a Finance Assistant to join one of our longstanding clients, a growing business based in Haywards Heath.

This is a part-time maternity cover position supporting the day-to-day financial operations of the business. The successful candidate will work across purchase and sales ledger, bank accounts, payments, reconciliations and month-end support, with a handover planned ahead of the maternity cover commencing.

The Requirements:

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Analytical and logical approach to problem solving
• Good organisational and time-management skills
• Competent using Microsoft Excel
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Accurate and methodical approach to work
• Trustworthy and comfortable handling confidential financial information
• Proactive, adaptable and willing to learn
• Professional communication skills
• 2+ years' accounting experience would be desirable
• Experience using QuickBooks would be advantageous
• AAT qualification or currently studying towards AAT would be desirable
• Relevant finance or accounting qualification would be advantageous

The Role:

• Process supplier invoices accurately and maintain purchase ledger records
• Track payment due dates and resolve invoice discrepancies
• Prepare and process supplier payments
• Assist with customer invoices and statements
• Monitor and follow up outstanding customer payments
• Record and reconcile customer payments
• Maintain company bank accounts on a daily basis
• Prepare and process weekly payments
• Assist with month-end financial reporting
• Support the preparation of balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements
• Provide support during audits and financial reviews
• Maintain accurate and organised financial records
• Complete financial data entry and transaction coding
• Ensure invoices, receipts and other financial documents are correctly filed
• Support the wider finance team with ad hoc projects and reporting
• Maintain confidentiality of financial and business information

Handover start date: 5 October 2026
Maternity cover start date: 14 October 2026
Expected contract end date: 2 August 2027