Senior Assistant Accountant – Belfast

Ruth Wagstaff Recruitment Ltd; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A hotel in Belfast's iconic location is seeking a Senior Accounts Assistant to join the on-site finance team, supporting day-to-day financial operations of a well-established international brand. Reporting to the Finance Manager, you will contribute to accurate transactional processing and financial controls across the property.

Key responsibilities include month-end close, reconciliations, revenue analysis, budgeting support and collaboration with operational departments to ensure timely,

Qualifications

• Hotel or hospitality finance experience preferred.
• Experience in accounts assistant or similar transactional finance role.
• Strong Excel and multi-system proficiency.
• Able to liaise with department heads and manage priorities.

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly management accounts and month-end reporting.
• Take ownership of month-end journals, accruals, prepayments and adjustments.
• Complete balance sheet reconciliations and investigate items.
• Assist with P&L reviews and provide supporting analysis.
• Support budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting processes.
• Review revenue and audit information and reconciliations.
• Reconcile cash, bank, credit card and control accounts.
• Oversee accounts payable and supplier payment runs.
• Support accounts receivable and credit control activities.
• Provide cover for Finance Manager as required.

Skills

Excel

Communication

Attention to detail

Sage Line 50

Alkimii

Procure Wizard

Education

AAT (desirable)

Tools

Sage Line 50

Alkimii

Procure Wizard

Job description

We are looking for a Senior Accounts Assistant to join the finance team of a hotel in one of Belfast's most iconic locations, supporting the day-to-day financial operations of a well-established international hotel brand.

This is a property-based role, reporting into the Finance Manager, and forms part of the on-site finance team responsible for accurate day-to-day transactional processing and financial control across the hotel.

What You'll Do

Transactional & Financial Support

• Support the preparation of monthly management accounts and month-end reporting
• Take ownership of key areas of the month-end process - journals, accruals, prepayments and adjustments - ensuring accuracy and deadlines are met
• Complete balance sheet reconciliations and investigate outstanding items
• Assist with P&L reviews and provide supporting analysis where required
• Support budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting processes
• Review daily revenue and income audit information, resolving discrepancies
• Complete daily and monthly revenue reconciliations across both hotels
• Reconcile cash, bank, credit card and other control accounts
• Oversee accounts payable, including supplier invoices, statement reconciliations and payment runs
• Support accounts receivable and credit control, ensuring balances are actively managed
• Assist with payroll reconciliations and associated reporting
• Take ownership of designated finance processes and reconciliations
• Review transactional finance work completed by junior team members, providing support and guidance
• Act as a point of contact for day-to-day finance queries from operational departments and suppliers
• Maintain strong financial controls and ensure compliance with company policies
• Work closely with operational departments across both hotels on accurate, timely financial information
• Support internal and external audit requirements, including preparation of audit schedules
• Identify opportunities to improve finance processes and efficiencies
• Assist with training and coaching of Accounts Assistants and junior finance team members
• Provide cover for the Finance Manager as required, taking responsibility for agreed functions in their absence

Candidate Profile

• Previous experience in a hotel or hospitality finance environment is preferred
• Experience in an accounts assistant or similar transactional finance role
• Confident and communicative, comfortable liaising with department heads
• Organised and deadline-driven, able to manage a varied workload
• Good attention to detail and a process-driven approach
• Strong Excel skills; comfortable working across multiple systems - experience with Sage Line 50, Alkimii, or Procure Wizard is an advantage
• Studying towards or holding a relevant accounting qualification (e.g. AAT) is desirable but not essential

Job Tenure: Permanent