Finance Assistant Accountant

Next; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK retailer is seeking ambitious individuals for an entry-level role in their Stock Finance Team. This position offers hands-on experience in managing financial accounts, reporting, and analysis in a fast-paced environment. Ideal for recent graduates or those starting their finance career, it provides real responsibility and mentorship from experienced professionals.

Benefits

25% off most products

Company performance-based bonus

On-site nursery

Discounts at partner brands

Access to digital GP

Free on-site parking

Flexible gym memberships

Qualifications

• Curious, proactive, and ready to take initiative.
• Enjoy getting into detail and solving problems.
• Eager to learn and grow technical skills.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of key financial accounts ensuring accuracy and insight.
• Help reconcile sales, VAT, and gross margin weekly.
• Produce statutory and partner sales reports.
• Support budget and forecast cycles for the accounts.

Skills

Numerical and analytical skills

Problem-solving

Initiative

Communication

Excel knowledge

Education

Working towards a professional finance qualification (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA)

Job description

Job Description

Do you have a curious mind, a can-do attitude, and a drive to make things happen? If so, this could be the perfect first step in your commercial finance career.

We're one of the UK's biggest retailers - and we're looking for ambitious individuals to join our Stock Finance Team.

This is an ideal entry-level role for someone eager to learn, take ownership, and make a real impact from day one. You'll be supported by experienced finance professionals while gaining hands‑on experience across reporting, forecasting, and financial control.

What You'll Be Doing

As part of our fast-paced finance team, you'll be right at the heart of how we understand and manage our stock and sales performance.

• Take ownership of key financial accounts - including shrinkage, slippage, and GRNI - ensuring accuracy and insight.
• Help reconcile sales, VAT, and gross margin weekly across Retail, Online, and Total Platform businesses.
• Produce statutory and partner sales reports used across the business and beyond.
• Support budget and forecast cycles for your accounts, learning how to turn data into actionable insight.
• Work cross-functionally with product, call centre, accounts payable, and commercial teams - becoming a go-to contact for problem solving and analysis.
• Help identify and improve processes that keep our finance operations running smoothly.

Why This Role Is a Great Opportunity

• Perfect for those starting out - whether you're a recent graduate or looking to take your first step into a finance career.
• Real responsibility from day one - your work will directly influence decision-making and reporting used across the business.
• Learn from the best - work closely with experienced finance analysts and managers who will mentor and support your growth.
• Be part of a major retail business - and gain exposure to the commercial side of finance in a fast-moving, data-driven environment.

About You

• Are curious, proactive, and ready to take initiative.
• Have strong numerical and analytical skills, and enjoy getting into the detail.
• Communicate confidently and aren't afraid to ask questions or pick up the phone.
• Love solving problems and finding better ways of doing things.
• Have some knowledge of Excel (and maybe SQL), but more importantly, are eager to learn and grow your technical skills.
• Are working towards, or interested in, a professional finance qualification (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA).

In Short

This is more than just a finance role - it's a launchpad into a commercial finance career. We're looking for people who want to learn, take responsibility, and contribute to something bigger. If that sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you.

About Us

You know Next, but did you know we're a FTSE-100 retail company employing over 35,000 people across the UK and Ireland. We're the UK's 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we're the market leader. At the last count we have over 500 stores, plus the Next Online and it's now possible to buy on-line from over 70 countries around the world! So we've gone global!

About the Team

• 25% off most NEXT, MADE*, Lipsy*, Gap* and Victoria's Secret* products (*when purchased through NEXT)
• Company performance based bonus
• Sharesave scheme
• On-site Nursery available; OFSTED outstanding in all areas
• 10% off most partner brands & up to 15% off Branded Beauty
• Early VIP access to sale stock
• Access to fantastic discounts at our Staff Shops
• Restaurants with great food at amazing prices
• Access a digital GP and other free health and wellbeing services
• Free on-site parking
• Financial Wellbeing - Save, track and enhance your financial wellbeing
• Apprenticeship - Grow and develop on the job whilst gaining a qualification
• Direct to Work - Discount online and instore, collect your items the next day for free from your place of work or local store
• Support Networks - Access to Network Groups to empower and celebrate each other
• Wellhub - Discounted flexible monthly gym memberships, with apps, PT sessions and more

Conditions apply to all benefits. These benefits are discretionary and subject to change.

We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long-term condition, feel free to get in touch with us by email [e-mail] (please include 'Workplace Adjustments' in the subject line), or call us on 0116 284 2486 and leave a voicemail.