Accounts Assistant

Collins McNicholas Recruitment; Galway; On-site; EUR 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Port of Galway, located at Galway Harbour on Ireland’s west coast, is seeking an Accounts Assistant to support the Financial Controller with day-to-day transactional accounting and payroll tasks.

The role involves processing invoices, maintaining records, payroll processing, bank reconciliations, and assisting with VAT and management accounts. It also covers front-of-house duties during peak and holiday periods.

Qualifications

• An Accounting Technician qualification, or progress towards an Accounting Technician or other professional accounting qualification, would be an advantage but is not essential.
• Previous experience in bookkeeping or finance administration role essential
• Experience of processing payroll in Ireland
• A good understanding of bookkeeping and accounting principles
• Experience of bank and account reconciliations
• Experience using an accounting software package
• Good Microsoft Excel skills
• Strong numerical accuracy and attention to detail
• Keen to learn and develop within the finance function

Responsibilities

• Processing purchase invoices and maintaining accurate supplier records.
• Processing sales invoices and maintaining customer accounts.
• Preparing and processing payroll, including maintaining employee payroll information and related records.
• Assisting with payroll and Revenue reporting requirements.
• Processing bank, credit card and other financial transactions.
• Completing bank reconciliations.
• Reconciling supplier and customer accounts.
• Completing other balance sheet account reconciliations as required.
• Processing employee expenses.
• Maintaining accurate and complete records within the accounting system.
• Assisting with accounts payable and accounts receivable activities.
• Preparing routine accounting journals as required.
• Assisting the Financial Controller with month-end close procedures.
• Assisting with the preparation of information for VAT and other statutory returns.
• Supporting the preparation of management accounts and financial reports.
• Assisting with year-end audit and preparation of supporting documentation.
• Maintaining appropriate finance documentation and filing.
• Responding to routine finance queries from employees, customers and suppliers.
• Providing other finance support as required.
• Front-of-House and Office Support: Providing reception and front-of-house cover when required.
• Greeting visitors and directing them to the appropriate person.
• Answering and directing incoming telephone calls during periods of cover.
• Assisting with incoming and outgoing post and courier deliveries.
• Providing leave and absence cover for routine office administration activities.
• Supporting meeting-room preparation and general office coordination when required.

Skills

Bookkeeping

Payroll

VAT returns

Accounts payable

Accounts receivable

Excel

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

Accounting Technician qualification

Tools

Accounting software

Job description

Our client, Port of Galway, is currently recruiting for an Accounts Assistant to join their team and provide essential day-to-day support to the Financial Controller.

Located at Galway Harbour, Port of Galway serves as a key commercial and maritime hub on Ireland’s west coast, supporting a diverse range of activities including bulk cargo imports, cruise tourism, and leisure boating.

The role will have responsibility for a range of transactional accounting and payroll activities, including processing financial information, maintaining accounting records, completing account reconciliations and assisting with month-end financial processes.

As part of a small SME team, the role will also provide occasional cross-functional support in relation to front-of-house and general office administration, particularly during periods of annual leave or other absence.

Key Finance Responsibilities:

• Processing purchase invoices and maintaining accurate supplier records.
• Processing sales invoices and maintaining customer accounts.
• Preparing and processing payroll, including maintaining employee payroll information and related records.
• Assisting with payroll and Revenue reporting requirements.
• Processing bank, credit card and other financial transactions.
• Completing bank reconciliations.
• Reconciling supplier and customer accounts.
• Completing other balance sheet account reconciliations as required.
• Processing employee expenses.
• Maintaining accurate and complete records within the accounting system.
• Assisting with accounts payable and accounts receivable activities.
• Preparing routine accounting journals as required.
• Assisting the Financial Controller with month-end close procedures.
• Assisting with the preparation of information for VAT and other statutory returns.
• Supporting the preparation of management accounts and financial reports.
• Assisting with year-end audit and preparation of supporting documentation.
• Maintaining appropriate finance documentation and filing.
• Responding to routine finance queries from employees, customers and suppliers.
• Providing other finance support as required.

Front-of-House and Office Support:

• Providing reception and front-of-house cover when required.
• Greeting visitors and directing them to the appropriate person.
• Answering and directing incoming telephone calls during periods of cover.
• Assisting with incoming and outgoing post and courier deliveries.
• Providing leave and absence cover for routine office administration activities.
• Supporting meeting-room preparation and general office coordination when required.

Experience and Qualifications:

• An Accounting Technician qualification, or progress towards an Accounting Technician or other professional accounting qualification, would be an advantage but is not essential.
• Previous experience in bookkeeping or finance administration role essential
• Experience of processing payroll in Ireland.
• A good understanding of bookkeeping and accounting principles.
• Experience of bank and account reconciliations.
• Experience using an accounting software package.
• Good Microsoft Excel skills.
• Strong numerical accuracy and attention to detail.
• Keen to learn and develop within the finance function.

Closing date for applications: 7th September 2026.