Interim Assistant Accountant

JSS; Watford; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

JSS is seeking an ambitious Assistant Accountant to join its Watford finance team on a 12-month maternity cover, office-based.

You will support month-end reporting, journal postings, reconciliations and VAT across UK and European entities, with exposure to multi-currency accounting.

AAT qualification or ACCA/CIMA study is preferred, 2–3 years’ experience, strong Excel skills (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP) and experience with Sage 200 or ERP systems.

Qualifications

• AAT qualification or ACCA/CIMA study in progress.
• 2-3 years’ accounting/finance experience.
• Strong bookkeeping, journals and reconciliations.

Responsibilities

• Assist with monthly management accounts preparation.
• Post journals including accruals, prepayments and foreign exchange adjustments.
• Perform and maintain balance sheet reconciliations.
• Prepare supporting schedules and analysis for financial reporting.
• Process supplier invoices and employee expenses accurately.
• Reconcile AP and AR ledgers across multiple entities.
• Support the smooth running of day-to-day finance operations.
• Maintain and update the fixed asset register.
• Support VAT return preparation across multiple jurisdictions.
• Assist with external audit requests and documentation.
• Ensure accurate record-keeping and adherence to internal controls.
• Provide financial information and analysis to the wider finance team.
• Support budgeting and forecasting activities.
• Contribute to process improvement initiatives and best practice.
• Assist with ad hoc finance projects across international operations.

Skills

Double-entry

Reconciliations

Excel Pivot/VLOOKUP

Multi-currency

Education

AAT qualified

ACCA/CIMA in progress

Tools

Sage 200

ERP Systems

Job description

Location: Watford – Office based

Salary: Up to £37,500 per annum (depending on experience)

Contract: 12-Month Fixed-Term Contract (Maternity Cover)

Start Date: ASAP

A well-established international business with a portfolio of recognised global clothing brands is seeking an ambitious and detail-oriented Assistant Accountant to join its finance team on a 12-month maternity cover contract. This is an excellent opportunity for an AAT-qualified accountant or someone studying towards ACCA or CIMA to gain exposure to international finance operations, working across both UK and European entities. You'll play a key role in supporting month-end reporting, reconciliations, transactional finance and financial controls, while developing your technical accounting skills within a collaborative and growing finance team.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the preparation of monthly management accounts.
• Post journals including accruals, prepayments and foreign exchange adjustments.
• Perform and maintain balance sheet reconciliations.
• Prepare supporting schedules and analysis for financial reporting.
• Process supplier invoices and employee expenses accurately and efficiently.
• Reconcile AP and AR ledgers across multiple entities.
• Support the smooth running of day-to-day finance operations.
• Maintain and update the fixed asset register.
• Support VAT return preparation across multiple jurisdictions.
• Assist with external audit requests and documentation.
• Ensure accurate record-keeping and adherence to internal controls.
• Provide financial information and analysis to the wider finance team.
• Support budgeting and forecasting activities.
• Contribute to process improvement initiatives and best practice.
• Assist with ad hoc finance projects across international operations.

About You

We’re looking for an individual who is keen to develop their accounting career and enjoys working in a fast-paced, international environment.

Requirements

• AAT qualified or actively studying towards ACCA or CIMA.
• 2-3 years’ experience within an accounting, finance or ledger-focused role.
• Strong understanding of double-entry bookkeeping, journals and reconciliations.
• Good Excel skills, including Pivot Tables and VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP.
• Experience using accounting or ERP systems (Sage 200 desirable).
• Exposure to multi-currency accounting would be advantageous.