Finance Assistant

Berry Recruitment; St Albans; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Berry Recruitment is assisting a client in St Albans by recruiting a Finance Assistant for a 9-month maternity cover Fixed Term Contract. Based in St Albans, you will be part of a busy finance team focusing on producing management accounts and supporting the Assistant Head of Finance.

Key duties include updating financial spreadsheets, preparing P&L schedules, reconciling bank statements, processing payroll and pension entries, supplier invoices, VAT return, and assisting with budgets and

Qualifications

• 2+ years experience as a Finance Assistant or similar role.
• Level 2 AAT or equivalent finance/book-keeping qualification preferred.
• Experience in a law firm and knowledge of Solicitor Accounts rules desirable.
• Strong knowledge of accounting and bookkeeping procedures (month-end journals, management reporting).
• Advanced MS Excel skills (complex formulas, budgeting, analytics).
• Familiarity with accounting software in a Practice Management system preferred.

Responsibilities

• Update financial spreadsheets with monthly transactions.
• Prepare profit and loss schedules.
• Reconcile bank statements.
• Provide regular updates on fees delivered against target.
• Process tax payments as instructed.
• Record payroll entries and journals.
• Process pension payments and records.
• Process supplier invoices and follow up.
• Support during budget preparation.
• Participate in annual audits.
• Prepare VAT return.
• Process and authorise transfers.
• Assist in developing and maintaining finance policies.

Skills

Finance accounting

AAT Level 2

Law firm experience

Excel advanced

Practice management software

Time management

Attention to detail

Communication

Team player

Can-do attitude

Education

AAT Level 2 or equivalent

Tools

Practice Management software

Accounting software

Job description

We are looking for a Finance Assistant to join our client on a 9 month Maternity Cover Fixed Term Contract based in St Albans.
Reporting to the Assistant Head of Finance you will be part of a busy finance team with support and assistant the company. Your focus will be on producing management accounts.
Your duties will include

• Update financial spreadsheets with monthly transactions
• Prepare profit and loss schedules
• Reconcile bank statements
• Provide regular updates on fees delivered against target
• Process tax payment on Finance Managers instructions
• Record monthly payroll entries and journals thereof
• Process monthly pension payments and recording thereof
• Process supplier invoices and follow up where required
• Provide administrative support during budget preparation
• Participate in annual audits
• Preparation of the firm’s VAT return
• Process and authorise transfers
• Assist in the development and maintenance of finance policies?

Skills and Attributes:

• 
  A minimum of 2 years work experience as a Finance Assistant or similar role
• Level 2 AAT or equivalent finance/book-keeping qualification would be ideal
• Finance experience within a law firm setting and knowledge of Solicitor Accounts rules would be desirable
• Good knowledge of accounting and book-keeping procedures?such as month end journals and management reporting
• Advanced MS Excel skills (creating spreadsheets and using financial functions)
• Use of accounting software within a Practice Management system would be preferred
• Good time management with organisation skills including the ability to prioritise work
• High attention to detail, with an ability to spot numerical errors?
• Ability to cope with pressure and maintain a calm manner at all times
• Confident communicator with good written and verbal communication skills
• Team player
• Positive “can do” and flexible attitude

In return the company offer a salary of up to £32000. This is maternity cover contract and is envisaged to be for 9 months.
If you are looking for a contract role and have worked within a legal setting then please apply now!