Senior Accounts Assistant

Dickson O&Brien Associates; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Dickson O&Brien Associates in Lancashire is seeking a Senior Accounts Assistant to manage day-to-day financial transactions, support month-end closing, and assist the Group Financial Controller and FD with reporting.

You will handle ledgers, payroll support, reconciliations, and contribute to VAT returns and audits, while mentoring a small finance and admin team.

Qualifications

• 2 to 5 years of experience in accounts or finance environment.
• Part-qualified AAT Level 4.
• Strong Excel skills and experience with accounting software.
• Detail-oriented with proactive problem solving and good communication.

Responsibilities

• Transactional processing across purchase and sales ledgers and invoices.
• Support month-end close, journals, accruals and prepayments.
• Assist with payroll support and HR coordination.
• Perform bank, credit card, and control reconciliations.
• Support VAT returns and annual statutory audits.
• Handle internal and external supplier/customer queries.
• Mentor a small finance and admin team.

Skills

Attention to detail

Strong communication

Proactive problem solving

Education

Part-qualified AAT Level 4

Tools

Excel (VLOOKUP, pivots)

Xero

Sage 200

Sage 50 Payroll

Job description

Senior Accounts Assistant to manage the day-to-day financial transactions, support month-end closing, and assist Group Financial Controller and FD with reporting.

Key Responsibilities

Transactional Processing: Handle purchase and sales ledgers, process invoices, manage expense claims, and run payment runs.

Payroll - Support payroll and HR staff and provide cover

Reconciliations: Perform regular bank, credit card, and control account reconciliations.

Month-End Support: Assist with journal entries, accruals, prepayments, and trial balance preparations.

Reporting & Compliance: Help prepare quarterly VAT returns and compile data for annual statutory audits.

Query Resolution: Act as a main point of contact for internal and external supplier or customer account queries.

Intercompany recharges - calculate and raise recharge invoices

Managing and Mentoring - Manage a small finance and admin team

Required Skills & Qualifications

Experience: 2 to 5 years of practical experience in an accounts or finance environment plus experience of setting, supporting and reviewing objectives.

Qualifications: Part-qualified AAT Level 4.

Software Proficiency: Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUPs, pivot tables) and accounting software (e.g., Xero, Sage 200, Sage 50 payroll).

Soft Skills: High attention to detail, strong communication abilities, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.