Finance - Assistant Accountant

gsacapital; Greater London; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

gsacapital in London is seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Finance Analyst to join a fast-paced finance team. You will own end-to-end financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and process improvements, ensuring accuracy and timely delivery.

You will automate recurring tasks using Python/SQL/VBA, collaborate across IT and finance, support audits, and help maintain general ledger integrity while driving efficiencies.

Qualifications

• Prior experience within an accounting or audit function - preferably in a team focused on automation or systems.
• Proficiency in Excel (including macros and pivot tables) and hands-on experience with tools like SQL, Python, or VBA. Familiarity with data visualisation tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) is a plus.
• Familiarity in accounting software.
• Demonstrable interest in finance and/or quant trading with a genuine interest in the challenges presented within the industry.

Responsibilities

• Support the production of monthly management accounts and help prepare financial statements.
• Provide accurate and timely reporting to internal and external stakeholders.
• Analyse financial data to support business decision-making.
• Develop and implement automation solutions for recurring financial tasks and reports.
• Collaborate with IT and finance teams to optimise system processes and workflows.
• Leverage coding and scripting languages (e.g., Python, SQL, VBA) to build tools that streamline data handling and reporting.
• Provide holiday cover to the AP/AR function - process invoices, payments, and receipts efficiently.
• Reconcile accounts and resolve discrepancies.
• Assist in maintaining accurate general ledger entries and journal postings.
• Prepare reconciliations for key accounts.
• Support the budgeting process, including data collection and variance analysis.
• Maintain financial models and projections.
• Ensure adherence to company policies and regulatory standards.
• Support audit processes and provide necessary documentation.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Attention to detail

Effective communicator

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

ACCA/CIMA/ACA part-qualified

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

Excel

SQL

Python

VBA

Job description

Your primary objective will be the processing and production of financial information to a high degree of accuracy on a timely basis. It entails a broad range of responsibilities with competing time pressures, so you will need the ability and desire to take full ownership of several activities that are integral to the Finance function. This includes the opportunity to redesign and improve processes to increase efficiencies where possible. The pace is fast, and the team is a dynamic and consists of a diverse combination of individuals. You'll be looking to play an integral part in ensuring our financial health and operational efficiency, directly supporting our ability to innovate and succeed.

Typical day-to-day duties and responsibilities:

Financial Reporting and Analysis:

• Support the production of monthly management accounts and help prepare financial statements.
• Provide accurate and timely reporting to internal and external stakeholders.
• Analyse financial data to support business decision-making.

Automation and Process Improvement:

• Develop and implement automation solutions for recurring financial tasks and reports.
• Collaborate with IT and finance teams to optimise system processes and workflows.
• Leverage coding and scripting languages (e.g., Python, SQL, VBA) to build tools that streamline data handling and reporting.

Accounts Payable and Receivable:

• Provide holiday cover to the AP/AR function - process invoices, payments, and receipts efficiently.
• Reconcile accounts and resolve discrepancies.

General Ledger Maintenance:

• Assist in maintaining accurate general ledger entries and journal postings.
• Prepare reconciliations for key accounts.

Budgeting and Forecasting:

• Support the budgeting process, including data collection and variance analysis.
• Maintain financial models and projections.

Compliance and Controls:

• Ensure adherence to company policies and regulatory standards.
• Support audit processes and provide necessary documentation.

The Person

• Proactive and motivated. You'll have a high level of initiative and a self-starter approach. You care about your work being executed at the highest of standards.
• Logical, numerate, and detail oriented: You possess strong critical thinking, are very comfortable with numbers and possess a deep interest in working with data and recognising the importance of operating with precision and context.
• Interpersonal, collaborative and an effective communicator. The work necessitates frequent collaboration with a range of stakeholders and counterparties both technical and non-technical.
• Conscientious: Your job really matters to us. You understand the value and importance of your role and are diligent in your execution of this responsibility.

The Skills

• Prior experience within an accounting or audit function - preferably in a team focused on automation or systems.
• Proficiency in Excel (including macros and pivot tables) and hands-on experience with tools like SQL, Python, or VBA. Familiarity with data visualisation tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) is a plus.
• Familiarity in accounting software.
• Demonstrable interest in finance and/or quant trading with a genuine interest in the challenges presented within the industry.

Academic Requirements

A good degree in an accounting or finance, otherwise within an analytical field, not necessarily a mathematical or scientific one although we often find this to be advantageous. Part-qualified or aiming to qualify in ACCA/CIMA/ACA.