Assistant Financial Accountant

• Salary: Competitive + benefits
• Job Type: Permanent
• Reporting to: Financial Controller

The Opportunity:

We are seeking an Assistant Financial Accountant to join an established finance team within a successful manufacturing business. This is a broad and commercially focused role, ideal for an experienced finance professional looking to take ownership of key accounting processes and develop their career within a structured, international environment.

Working closely with the Financial Controller, you will play a key role across month-end reporting, statutory compliance, payroll, balance sheet control, intercompany accounting and financial analysis, while also supporting continuous improvement across the finance function.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support and, when required, deputise for the Financial Controller across core finance activities.
• Own key elements of the month-end close, including journals, inventory, balance sheet reconciliations and intercompany accounting.
• Prepare and support monthly payroll, including PAYE, NI, expenses and salary deductions.
• Review financial performance against budget, providing clear analysis and commentary on variances, risks and opportunities.
• Support UK statutory accounts, corporation tax, VAT and HMRC submissions.
• Coordinate SOX/internal control requirements and maintain strong financial governance.
• Support year-end reporting, audit requirements and corporate reporting.
• Act as a key finance contact for banking, auditors and other external stakeholders.
• Provide cover across AP, management accounts and other finance processes when required.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, controls and financial reporting.

About You:

We are looking for a technically strong and commercially minded accountant with 3–5 years' relevant experience, ideally gained within industry, manufacturing or accountancy practice.

You will ideally have:

• AAT qualification, with progression towards ACA, ACCA or CIMA.
• Strong knowledge of UK accounting, tax and statutory reporting.
• Proven experience with month-end, balance sheet reconciliations and financial reporting.
• Experience with payroll and HMRC submissions.
• Advanced Excel skills and confidence working with financial data.
• Experience using an ERP system; JDE experience is advantageous.
• Knowledge of SOX/internal controls, intercompany accounting and consolidation.
• Excellent attention to detail, analytical ability and problem-solving skills.
• The confidence to challenge processes and drive continuous improvement.

Why Apply?

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious finance professional to take on a high-visibility role with genuine ownership, working closely with senior finance leadership and gaining broad exposure across financial accounting, reporting, compliance and commercial analysis.

If you're looking for a role where you can make an impact, broaden your technical experience and progress your finance career, we'd like to hear from you.