Financial Accounts Assistant

Forge Holiday Group Ltd; Chester; Hybrid; GBP 17,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus scheme

33 days annual leave including bankhol

Birthday day off

Volunteering days off

Health plan

Gym access

Hybrid working

Job summary

Forge Holiday Group Ltd is seeking a Financial Accounting Assistant to join the Forge Finance Team in Chester. The role focuses on maintaining daily accounting records and supporting timely, reliable financial information with hands-on support to the accounting team and ad hoc analysis.

You will work in a flexible hybrid setting, reporting to the Senior Financial Accountant, with duties spanning bank reconciliations, management accounts, and year-end processes, contributing to IFRS compliance

Qualifications

• AAT qualification or training (or equivalent) is required.
• Proficiency in Excel and IT literacy.
• Strong numeracy and attention to detail are essential.
• Ability to manage a busy workload and meet deadlines.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work accurately and independently using own initiative.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the daily cashbook.
• Perform monthly bank reconciliations and identify differences.
• Assist in monthly management accounts (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow).
• Post month-end journal entries (accruals, prepayments, depreciation).
• Produce daily receipts reconciliations.
• Reconcile ledgers to the general ledger (creditors, debtors, fixed assets).
• Prepare and maintain balance sheet schedules and period cut-off.
• Support production of financial reporting for stakeholders.
• Meet month-end close deadlines and deliver timely information.
• Assist with year-end statutory accounts (IFRS).
• Assist with government surveys and audit/compliance requests.
• Maintain up-to-date process notes and seek improvements (AI).
• Ensure compliance with financial controls and data protection.

Skills

AAT qualification

Excel

Numeracy

Time management

Communication

Independent work

Team player

Written communication

Problem solving

Tools

SAP Business ByDesign

AI/Automation tools

Job description

We are thrilled to be seeking a Financial Accounting Assistant to join our Forge Finance Team!

• Salary: Up to £29,000 per annum
• Work Days & Hours: Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week
• Working Policy: Flexible hybrid-working policy, with a minimum of two days a week from our Chester head office.
• Reports to: Senior Financial Accountant

About Us:

The Forge Holiday Group encompasses Sykes Holiday Cottages, Forest Holidays and Bachcare in New Zealand. We unite under four core company values that serve as the foundation of everything we do: Keep it Simple, One Business, One Team, Grow and Learn and Sustainable Impact. These values ensure we remain true to our original ethos and ensure we stay true to our Customers, Owners and Colleagues alike.

About the Role:

The Financial Accounting Assistant is responsible for maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the company's daily accounting records and supporting the finance function in the delivery of timely, reliable financial information. The post-holder will provide hands-on support to the wider accounting team, ad hoc financial analysis whilst ensuring compliance with accounting standards and internal controls

Your Accountabilities:

• Maintain the daily cashbook
• Perform monthly bank reconciliations, identifying and investigating differences between bank statements and the cashbook
• Assist in the preparation of monthly management accounts, including P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow statements
• Post month‑end journal entries for accruals, prepayments, depreciation, and other required adjustments
• Production of daily receipts reconciliations
• Reconcile ledgers/cost centres to the general ledger (creditors, debtors, fixed assets etc)
• Partner reconciliations (Airbnb etc)
• Prepare and maintain balance sheet schedules, ensuring accurate period cut‑off
• Support the production of financial reporting to internal and external stakeholders
• Meet agreed month‑end close deadlines and contribute to the timely delivery of financial information
• Assist with the production of the year end statutory accounts in compliance with IFRS
• Assisting with the completion of government surveys and any other compliance related queries
• Provide support for internal audit, external audit or compliance requests as required
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date process notes for areas of responsibility
• Proactively identify opportunities to improve processes and raise these with the Group Purchase Ledger Manager including the use of AI
• Ensure compliance with relevant financial controls, data protection and confidentiality requirements at all times

Skills and Qualifications:

We are looking for those who can share in our company goals, values and ethos, who can grow alongside us and whose skills can aid our ongoing success!

Essential Skills:

• Minimum - training for or AAT qualified (or equivalent)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and general IT literacy
• Strong numeracy skills and attention to detail
• Ability to manage and prioritise a busy workload and meet deadlines
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work accurately and efficiently under pressure
• Team player with the ability to work independently using own initiative
• Excellent written and interpersonal skills
• The ability to challenge constructively
• Effective team working and networking skills

Personal Atributes:

• The ability to work independently using own initiative
• The ability to plan, prioritise and organise own workload
• Confident communicator
• Ability to stay calm under pressure
• Results focused, understanding what is important to the business, the owners and to the customer
• Flexible/Adaptable to change
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Professional and Friendly approach and attitude
• Committed to their own personal development.

Although standouts will also have:

• Experience with SAP Business By Design
• Experience utilising AI or automation tools in day-to-day processes
• Experience working in a multi-entity or Group finance environment

Forge Holiday Groups Company Benefits

• Annual STIP Company-wide Bonus Scheme
• 33 days of annual leave including bank holidays, plus up to 5 extra days with long service
• A day off to celebrate your Birthday
• Two paid Volunteering Days off annually
• Enhanced Parental leave (24 weeks maternity, 3 weeks paternity at 100% pay)
• Exclusive discounts on stays for you, family and friends
• Discounts and offers with a focus on your overall wellbeing
• Health Cash Plan
• Training & Development programs to set you up for success
• 24/7 mental health support and initiatives
• Access to the gym at our Chester HQ
• Chester HQ has on-site parking and is close to Chester train station
• Employee Savings Scheme transferring directly from your salary
• Long Service Awards
• Hybrid working for selected roles.

Diversity and Inclusion:

We encourage and welcome our people to bring their authentic and best selves to work every day. We know the power that comes from different ideas, backgrounds and perspectives. We recognise the role diversity plays in achieving our goals as a business. We actively welcome applications from as wide a range of backgrounds as possible. If you need any particular support or accommodations as part of your application process, please get in touch - our recruitment team are happy to help.