Finance Assistant (MAT Cover)

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

Job summary

Clearline Recruitment Ltd is working with a growing business in Haywards Heath, East Sussex to recruit a part-time Finance Assistant on a maternity cover basis. The role spans day-to-day finance tasks across purchase and sales ledgers, bank accounts, payments, reconciliations and month-end support, with a planned handover before the maternity start.

The fixed-term contract runs until 2 August 2027. The salary ranges from £26,000 to £29,000 per annum pro rata, reflecting 3 days per week.

Qualifications

• 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.
• 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.

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

Team player

Confidential information handling

Education

AAT qualification or studying towards AAT

Finance/accounting qualification

Tools

Excel

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