Junior Accounts Assistant

Starr Underwriting; City Of London; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a motivated Junior Accounts Assistant to join their Finance team in London. This role will involve managing day-to-day financial operations and providing hands-on experience in core accounting functions. The candidate will be responsible for reconciliations, cash management, and the accuracy of financial reporting in a supportive environment that values individual contributions and career progression.

Qualifications

• Familiarity with nominal ledger systems and financial reporting tools.
• Previous experience in a finance or accounts assistant role preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily bank reconciliations and ensure accurate recording of transactions.
• Collaborate with operational teams to resolve financial queries efficiently.
• Assist with month-end close activities and support statutory audits.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel

Organizational skills

Tools

Unit4

Job description

Who are we?

Howden is a collective – a group of talented and passionate people all around the world. Together, we have pushed the boundaries of insurance. We are united by a shared passion and no-limits mindset, and our strength lies in our ability to collaborate as a powerful international team comprised of 18,000 employees spanning over 100 countries.

People join Howden for many different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. It’s what sets us apart, and the reason our employees have been turning down headhunters for years. Whatever your priorities – work / life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering – you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.

Role Overview

We are looking for a motivated and detail-focused Junior Accounts Assistant to support our Finance team in managing day-to-day financial operations across multiple entities. This role offers hands-on experience in core accounting functions, including reconciliations, cash management, and audit support, while contributing to the accuracy and integrity of financial reporting.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform daily bank reconciliations across all entities, ensuring transactions are accurately recorded.
• Allocate cash receipts and investigate any unallocated or unidentified items to ensure timely resolution.
• Assist with month-end close activities, meeting Group reporting deadlines with precision.
• Support statutory and client money audits by responding to queries and completing sample testing promptly.
• Maintain and reconcile Balance Sheet nominal accounts, ensuring accurate and up-to-date records.
• Collaborate with operational teams to resolve financial queries efficiently and professionally.
• Reconcile insurance statements and prepare payments for the Channel Islands entity.
• Set up one-off payments in Unit4 and banking systems, following internal controls and approval processes.

Skills and Competencies

• Familiarity with nominal ledger systems and financial reporting tools.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret financial data.
• Clear and effective communicator; works well within a team.
• High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Able to manage tasks independently with minimal supervision.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and comfortable using accounting software.
• Quick to learn new systems and processes; proactive in approach.
• Organised and reliable, with a focus on meeting deadlines.

Experience

• Previous experience in a finance or accounts assistant role is preferred.
• Experience with Unit4 or similar ERP systems is advantageous.

What do we offer in return?

A career that you define. At Howden, we value diversity – there is no one Howden type. Instead, we’re looking for individuals who share the same values as us:

• Our successes have all come from someone brave enough to try something new

• We support each other in the small everyday moments and the bigger challenges

• We are determined to make a positive difference at work and beyond

Reasonable adjustments

We're committed to providing reasonable accommodations at Howden to ensure that our positions align well with your needs. Besides the usual adjustments such as software, IT, and office setups, we can also accommodate other changes such as flexible hours* or hybrid working*.

If you're excited by this role but have some doubts about whether it’s the right fit for you, send us your application – if your profile fits the role’s criteria, we will be in touch to assist in helping to get you set up with any reasonable adjustments you may require.

*Not all positions can accommodate changes to working hours or locations. Reach out to your Recruitment Partner if you want to know more.

Permanent