Senior Accounts Assistant

Dickson O'Brien Associates Limited; Manchester; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

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

You will handle ledgers, payroll support, reconciliations, journal entries, VAT returns, audits, and act as a key contact for supplier and customer queries while mentoring a small finance team.

Qualifications

• Experience: 2 to 5 years in accounts or finance environment.
• Part-qualified AAT Level 4.
• Strong Excel skills (VLOOKUPs, pivot tables) and knowledge of Xero/Sage accounting software.

Responsibilities

• Transactional Processing: handle purchase and sales ledgers, invoices, expenses, payments.
• Payroll – support payroll and HR staff and provide cover.
• Reconciliations: bank, credit card, and control accounts.
• Month-End Support: journal entries, accruals, prepayments, trial balance prep.
• Reporting & Compliance: VAT returns and audits preparation.
• Query Resolution: main contact for supplier/customer queries.
• Intercompany recharges – raise recharge invoices.
• Managing and mentoring – oversee small finance/admin team.

Skills

Attention to detail

Strong communication

Problem solving

Proactive mindset

Education

Part-qualified AAT Level 4

Tools

Microsoft Excel

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.