Temporary Accounts Assistant

Pickles Recruitment; Stockport; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Pickles Recruitment seeks an experienced Accounts Assistant for a busy, temporary role in Stockport. You will handle the full transactional finance cycle, ensuring smooth day-to-day finance operations while preparing information for external accountants and senior finance support.

The role requires hands-on involvement, independence, and ownership of workload, with responsibilities spanning invoicing, payroll, VAT, and reports for management.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in Accounts Assistant or similar finance role.
• Strong bookkeeping experience.
• AAT qualification or equivalent.
• Experience using Sage 50.
• Experience with payroll.
• Experience preparing VAT returns.
• Good understanding of transactional finance processes.
• Ability to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Processing supplier invoices and customer invoices using Sage 50.
• Carrying out regular bank reconciliations.
• Managing credit control and following up outstanding payments.
• Preparing and processing supplier payments.
• Processing weekly payroll.
• Managing pension auto-enrolment.
• Preparing VAT returns.
• Dealing with foreign currency transactions.
• Producing regular financial reports for management.
• Carrying out general bookkeeping duties.
• Maintaining accurate financial records and documentation.
• Supporting the wider finance function with day-to-day administration.
• Identifying opportunities to improve finance processes.

Skills

Strong bookkeeping

Self-motivated

Attention to detail

Time-management

Organisational skills

Education

AAT qualification or equivalent

Tools

Sage 50

Job description

Accounts Assistant

Temporary Position

Location: Stockport

Hours: Monday to Friday

Start: 8:30am–9:00am

Finish: 4:30pm–5:00pm

Duration: Temporary

The Opportunity

We are looking for an experienced Accounts Assistant to join a busy business on a temporary basis.

This is a hands‑on finance role covering the full transactional finance cycle. You will play an important part in keeping the day‑to‑day finance function running smoothly, while also preparing accurate information for external accountants and senior finance support.

You'll need to be someone who is comfortable getting stuck in, working independently and taking ownership of your workload.

Key Responsibilities

• Processing supplier and customer invoices using Sage 50
• Completing regular bank reconciliations
• Managing credit control and following up outstanding payments
• Preparing and processing supplier payments
• Processing weekly payroll
• Managing pension auto-enrolment
• Preparing and submitting VAT returns
• Dealing with foreign currency transactions
• Producing regular financial reports and information for management
• Carrying out general bookkeeping duties
• Maintaining accurate financial records and documentation
• Supporting the wider finance function with day‑to‑day administration
• Preparing information and reports for external accountants and senior finance support
• Identifying opportunities to improve finance processes and procedures

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone with solid, practical finance experience who can confidently manage the day‑to‑day accounts function.

You'll ideally have:

• Proven experience working within an Accounts Assistant, Bookkeeper or similar finance role
• Strong bookkeeping experience
• AAT qualification or equivalent, or be qualified through experience
• Previous experience using Sage 50
• Experience with payroll
• Experience preparing VAT returns
• Good understanding of transactional finance processes
• Experience working independently and managing your own workload
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong organisational and time‑management skills
• Good IT and computer skills
• A proactive approach and willingness to get involved
• The ability to work comfortably within a small business environment

The Person

We're looking for someone who is:

• Reliable and trustworthy
• Highly organised and detail-focused
• Self‑motivated and able to work independently
• Confident taking ownership of their workload
• Proactive and solutions‑focused
• Comfortable making decisions and taking responsibility
• A strong communicator
• Friendly, approachable and collaborative
• Adaptable and happy to support different areas of the business
• Committed to maintaining high standards of accuracy
• Someone who can hit the ground running

Working Hours

Monday to Friday

The business offers semi‑flexible start and finish times:

Start: 8:30am–9:00am

Finish: 4:30pm–5:00pm