Role: Accounts Assistant – Construction/Interior Fit Out

Location: Harefield, UB9 6EJ

Salary: Circa £40,000 depending on experience

Hours: 9:00 am–5:00pm, Monday to Friday

Job Type: Full-time

Our client is a successful and growing construction-based interior fit-out company, delivering high-quality projects for a range of clients.

Due to continued growth, they are looking for an experienced and reliable Accounts Assistant to join their small, friendly office team. This is a varied, hands-on role that would suit someone with previous experience working within a construction environment who understands the specific financial and administrative requirements of the industry.

As a small team, everyone plays an important role in the smooth running of the business, so the successful candidate will need to be willing to get involved across both the finance and general administration functions.

The Role

Working closely with the Financial Controller, the Accounts Assistant will provide day-to-day support across the finance function, with particular responsibility for sales and purchase ledger, CIS, VAT, credit control, purchase orders and general accounts administration.

A good understanding of CIS (Construction Industry Scheme) is essential for this position. The successful candidate will need experience dealing with subcontractors, checking compliance documentation and liaising with the company's external accountants regarding subcontractor verification with HMRC.

Knowledge and practical understanding of the VAT Domestic Reverse Charge is also essential, as this forms an important part of the company's construction-related finance processes.

The role will involve working with Sage 50 Accounts, processing invoices, maintaining accurate financial records and supporting project managers with cost reporting.

Key ResponsibilitiesAccounts & Finance

• Assist the Financial Controller with the day-to-day running of the finance function.
• Maintain the sales and purchase ledgers using Sage 50 Accounts.
• Process and input purchase and sales invoices accurately onto Sage.
• Match invoices against relevant purchase orders and supporting documentation.
• Raise, process and maintain purchase orders.
• Ensure purchase orders are correctly updated and matched to invoices.
• Deal with supplier and customer invoice queries promptly.
• Assist with credit control, following up outstanding invoices and helping to maintain accurate debtor records.
• Support the preparation of financial information and reports for project managers.
• Compile and maintain project cost reports, ensuring costs are accurately recorded and allocated.
• Assist with month-end finance procedures and general account reconciliations.
• Ensure financial records are accurate, complete and kept up to date.

CIS & Construction Finance

• Process and administer CIS (Construction Industry Scheme) requirements.
• Check subcontractors' company details and required compliance documentation.
• Ensure appropriate documentation is obtained and maintained for subcontractors.
• Liaise with the company's external accountants regarding HMRC subcontractor verifications.
• Ensure subcontractor information is accurately recorded and maintained.
• Apply the VAT Domestic Reverse Charge correctly to relevant construction invoices.
• Check invoices for the correct VAT treatment and raise queries where necessary.
• Maintain an awareness of current CIS and construction-related VAT requirements.

Credit Card & Reconciliation

• Complete the monthly company credit card reconciliation.
• Gather receipts and supporting documentation from staff.
• Match receipts to transactions appearing on monthly credit card statements.
• Investigate and resolve any discrepancies or missing receipts.
• Ensure all transactions are correctly recorded and supported.

Purchase Orders

• Raise purchase orders as required.
• Match purchase orders to supplier invoices.
• Update and maintain purchase order records.
• Liaise with project managers, site staff and suppliers regarding purchase orders and invoices.
• Ensure the relevant approvals and supporting documentation are in place.

General Office Administration

As part of a small team, the successful candidate will also assist with the general administration and smooth running of the office, including:

• Answering incoming telephone calls and transferring calls appropriately.
• Dealing with general enquiries in a professional and helpful manner.
• Filing and maintaining accurate records.
• Managing emails and correspondence using Microsoft Outlook.
• Preparing documents and correspondence using Microsoft Word.
• Using Microsoft Excel for spreadsheets, reports and financial information.
• Dealing with general invoice and supplier queries.
• Providing administrative support to site and office staff.
• Assisting project managers and other members of the team with finance-related information.
• Supporting colleagues with general office duties as required.

About You

The successful candidate will ideally have:

• Previous experience working in an Accounts Assistant or similar finance role.
• Essential experience within a construction, building, contracting or interior fit-out environment.
• Good practical knowledge of CIS and subcontractor requirements.
• Experience dealing with subcontractor compliance documentation and HMRC verification.
• Good understanding of the VAT Domestic Reverse Charge within the construction industry.
• Previous experience using Sage 50 Accounts.
• Experience with sales and purchase ledger.
• Experience processing and matching invoices to purchase orders.
• Credit control experience.
• Good reconciliation and attention-to-detail skills.
• Experience preparing or assisting with project cost reports would be advantageous.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.