Finance Assistant

JJ Food Service Limited; Enfield (CT); On-site; USD 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Monday to Friday only

28 days paid annual leave

Profit-Share scheme

Discounts through JJ family portal

Free counselling service

Free secure parking

Cycle to work

Job summary

JJ Food Service Limited is seeking a motivated Finance Assistant to support day-to-day finance operations across multiple branches. The role involves accounts payable/receivable, bank reconciliations, expense processing and month-end close using Microsoft Dynamics 365.

Collaborate with a busy finance team at Head Office and help ensure robust controls and accurate reporting. We value strong Excel skills and attention to detail; experience with D365 and VAT basics is advantageous.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years' experience in a finance/accounts assistant role.
• Strong Excel skills (VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, SUMIFS, PivotTables).
• Solid understanding of double‑entry bookkeeping, VAT basics and month‑end processes.
• Excellent attention to detail, accuracy and numerical ability.

Responsibilities

• Bank & cash: perform daily bank reconciliations and post cash entries in D365.
• Expenses & company cards: review and process employee claims with correct GL coding and VAT treatment.
• General Ledger: assist with month-end/year-end close, postings and reconciliations.
• VAT & compliance: help prepare VAT returns and respond to HMRC information requests.
• Fixed assets: maintain asset register and depreciation postings.
• Reporting: prepare routine finance reports and ad-hoc analysis in Excel.

Skills

Excel

attention to detail

Education

AAT/ACCA/CIMA studies

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations

Job description

• Strong Excel skills (VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, SUMIFS, PivotTables).

We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Finance Assistant to join our busy Finance team at Head Office. Reporting into the Group Financial Controller, you will support the day-to-day finance operations of the group - including accounts payable, accounts receivable, bank reconciliations, expense processing and month-end close activities - using Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365).

This is a great opportunity for someone building a career in finance who wants exposure to a fast-paced, multi-branch foodservice business with strong systems, robust controls and a supportive team.

Salary: £31,000.00 per annum

Key Responsibilities

• Bank & Cash: Perform daily bank reconciliations across multiple accounts and post cash entries in D365.
• Expenses & Company Cards: Review and process employee expense claims and company credit card transactions, ensuring correct GL coding, VAT treatment and adherence to the expense policy.
• General Ledger: Support month-end and year end close by posting journals, performing balance sheet reconciliations and assisting with prepayments, accruals and intercompany postings.
• VAT & Compliance: Assist with VAT return preparation, HMRC information requests and supporting documentation for internal (Q&A) and external audit.
• Fixed Assets: Help maintain the fixed asset register, including additions, disposals and monthly depreciation postings.
• Reporting: Prepare routine finance reports and ad-hoc analysis in Excel to support the Group Financial Controller and senior management.
• Controls & Process Improvement: Follow segregation-of-duties and internal control requirements, and contribute ideas to improve and automate finance processes.
• Cross-functional support: Liaise with buying, sales, operations, transport, HR and branch teams to resolve finance-related queries in a professional and timely manner.
• Support external auditors during annual audits.
• External Reporting: Prepare and, after approval submit responses to statutory information requests (e.g. Office for National Statistics)
• Cover other areas of finance as require.

Person Specification

Essential

• Minimum 1–2 years' experience in a finance/accounts assistant role, ideally within FMCG, wholesale, foodservice, retail or a multi-site environment.
• Strong Excel skills (VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, SUMIFS, PivotTables).
• Solid understanding of double-entry bookkeeping, VAT basics and month-end processes.
• Excellent attention to detail, accuracy and numerical ability.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to deal professionally with suppliers, customers and colleagues at all levels.
• Well-organised, able to prioritise and meet tight deadlines.
• A team player with a positive, "can-do" attitude.

Desirable

• Studying towards AAT, ACCA or CIMA
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations
• Exposure to Power BI or other reporting tools.
• Experience of working in a group / multi-entity environment with intercompany transactions.

Our Benefits

• Monday to Friday only
• 28 days paid annual leave (including Bank Holidays), increasing to 33 days with length of service
• Profit-Share scheme
• Access to hundreds of exclusive discounts and savings through our JJ family portal
• Free support with personal, legal, medical, health and wellbeing issues
• A free telephone counselling service
• Free secure parking
• Cycle to work scheme

About JJ Foodservice

JJ Food Service is one of the UK’s leading independent foodservice wholesalers, supplying a wide range of quality products to restaurants, caterers, and retailers nationwide. Established in 1988, we operate 13 branches across the UK, employ over 770 people, and generate an annual turnover of £243 million.

Our success is built on exceptional customer service, efficient logistics, and innovation. We were early pioneers of digital ordering and e-commerce in the foodservice sector, offering seamless online and app-based solutions. Our commitment to sustainability and continuous improvement ensures we remain a trusted partner for thousands of customers across the UK.

JJ Foodservice is an equal opportunities employer, committed to creating an inclusive culture and encouraging a diversity of people. No matter who you are, what you look like, or where you are from, you can find your place at JJ Foodservice.

JJ Foodservice were announced National Wholesaler of the Year at the Grocer Gold Awards 2026.

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