Permanent Finance Officer: Payroll, VAT & Reporting

Carrington Wood; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Carrington Wood is seeking a Finance Officer in Plymouth to manage varied financial duties and support the finance team. The role covers bookkeeping, payroll, VAT, and month-end processes to ensure accurate financial records.

You will handle purchase and sales ledgers, assist with budgeting and cash flow, and contribute to financial reporting while maintaining high standards of confidentiality and accuracy.

Qualifications

• Previous experience working in a finance or accounting environment.
• A good understanding of bookkeeping and financial processes.
• Experience across purchase ledger, sales ledger and bank reconciliations.
• Experience processing payroll, including PAYE, National Insurance and pensions.
• Good understanding of VAT and financial compliance.
• Experience with month‑end processes and financial reporting.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent organisation and time management skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work to deadlines.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• A professional and confidential approach when handling financial information.
• Ability to work independently while also supporting colleagues across the organisation.

Responsibilities

• Maintaining accurate financial records and supporting the organisation's financial systems.
• Completing double-entry bookkeeping and maintaining income and expenditure accounts.
• Managing purchase ledger activities, including purchase orders, invoices, coding and payment runs.
• Managing sales ledger activities, including raising invoices, monitoring payments and supporting debt collection.
• Preparing invoices and monitoring outstanding payments.
• Completing month-end processes, including journals, virements, reconciliations and financial reports.
• Processing payroll from start to finish, including starters, leavers, PAYE, National Insurance, pensions and expenses.
• Maintaining cashbooks and completing monthly bank and petty cash reconciliations.
• Completing VAT and relevant tax returns.
• Supporting cash flow forecasting, budget monitoring and the preparation of financial information.
• Assisting with annual budgets and year-end accounts.
• Supporting internal and external audits and liaising with accountants and auditors.
• Assisting with grant applications and identifying potential funding opportunities.
• Maintaining appropriate financial records for projects and organisational initiatives.
• Supporting areas including fixed assets, procurement, insurance, risk management and financial systems.
• Overseeing the regular banking of monies and maintaining appropriate banking records.
• Providing guidance and support to colleagues using financial systems.
• Supporting wider office and administrative duties when required.

Skills

Bookkeeping

Payroll

VAT

Budgeting

Reconciliations

Financial reporting

Cashflow forecasting

Bank reconciliations

Attention to detail

Organisation

Job description

Carrington Wood is seeking a Finance Officer in Plymouth to manage varied financial duties and support the finance team. The role covers bookkeeping, payroll, VAT, and month-end processes to ensure accurate financial records.

You will handle purchase and sales ledgers, assist with budgeting and cash flow, and contribute to financial reporting while maintaining high standards of confidentiality and accuracy.