French Assistant Accountant

Marc Daniels; High Wycombe; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global engineering firm is seeking a Transactional Accountant to manage accounts payable and receivable for their French operations. The role involves processing supplier invoices, managing banking entries, and month-end reconciliations. Ideal candidates will demonstrate strong communication and multi-tasking skills, with a keen attention to detail and a positive attitude. Join a fast-paced finance team focused on excellence and precision.

Qualifications

• Experience in transactional accounting, particularly accounts payable.
• Ability to manage month-end journal entries and reconciliations.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Manage the AP process for the French business entity.
• Verify and approve banking entries.
• Create and post month-end journals for accruals and prepayments.
• Manage employee expense approvals and payments.
• Support the AR process with updates and reporting.
• Liaise with Sales and Service teams for aged debt clearance.

Skills

Prioritisation and multi-tasking

Accuracy and attention to detail

Strong communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Job description

Responsible for all aspects of transactional accounting for the French legal entity of a leading global engineering and manufacturing business. Primary focus is on accounts payable, banking, receivables and expense controls with responsibility for month end journal entries and reconciliations.

Reporting to the European Finance Manager, and working as part of a fast paced EMEA finance team.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities

• Manage the AP process for the French business entity – processing supplier invoices, intercompany transactions, payments and balance sheet reconciliations
• Verify and approve banking entries
• Month end journal creation, posting and reconciliation of accruals, prepayments and other regular transactional entries for the French business entity.
• Manage the employee expense approvals and payments
• Support the AR process – weekly debtor updates, monthly reporting and balance sheet reconciliations
• Liaise with Sales and Service team to agree action plans to clear aged debt
• Support the European Accountant with monthly analytical review of monthly departmental expenses
• Support the month end accrual & prepayment calculations and postings

Key Competencies (includes skills)

• Able to prioritise and multi-task
• Remains calm and patient under deadline pressure
• Flexible, resilient and demonstration of a positive, ‘can do’ attitude
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Good communication skills; verbal and written
• Strong interpersonal skills and confidence to work at various levels of the organisation
• Ability to work in a matrix organisation