Accounts Assistant

We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Accounting Service Assistant to join our team at our Head Office in Whiston, Rotherham. This is an exciting opportunity to support the delivery of a professional accounting service to a range of external charity clients, assisting with bookkeeping, payroll, VAT and statutory financial reporting.

The Accounts Service team also works closely with our wider Community Welfare Service, promoting our accounting support to external charities to help strengthen their financial management and support their long-term sustainability. The role is ideal for someone with accounts experience who is organised, accurate and enjoys working as part of a supportive team.

Job Title: Accounts Service Assistant

Reports to: Accounts Service Manager

Location: CISWO Head Office, Whiston, Rotherham

Salary: £26,255 pa

Job Type: Full-Time, Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm

Job Purpose

To support the full range of services provided by CISWO’s Accounts Service to other charities and related limited companies. This will include assisting with the bookkeeping, VAT returns, annual financial statements, and financial management that we provide to external clients to support their financial sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Bookkeeping

• Maintain accurate accounting records for a portfolio of clients using QuickBooks Online and Sage Online
• Process sales invoices, purchase invoices, receipts and payments
• Review client records and identify missing information or unusual postings
• Perform regular bank reconciliations and follow up reconciling items
• Assist in the preparation of working papers files required to support statutory financial statements for external clients

VAT compliance

• Prepare and review quarterly VAT returns for a portfolio of clients
• Verify the correct VAT treatment of transactions
• Assist senior staff with VAT enquiries and compliance matters

Assist preparation of year-end accounts

• Review records and prepare year-end extended trial balances, ensuring all figures are fully supported and reconciled
• Prepare lead schedules and supporting workpapers for year-end accounts
• Prepare and post year-end journals including accruals, prepayments and depreciation
• Liaise with clients to obtain information required for year-end accounts preparation
• Prepare year-end accounts in accordance with applicable accounting and reporting standards

Other duties

• Monitor deadlines and ensure work is completed within agreed timescales
• Maintain complete and organised electronic and paper files
• General office duties as required including staffing the main telephone switchboard, dealing with incoming and outgoing post, greeting visitors and provision of back-up cover/holiday support to ensure effective running of the office
• Preparation and processing of weekly/monthly payroll onto Sage 50 payroll for external clients, ensuring returns to HMRC and pension providers are delivered in line with regulatory requirements
• Undertake additional tasks which may be reasonably required to meet the organisation’s needs

Skills/Qualifications/Experience

Essential

• Experience of working within an accounts team with experience in a bookkeeping role and knowledge of VAT returns
• Experience of using an accounts platform
• Excellent IT skills, including a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office Word, Excel and Outlook
• Excellent administrative skills including a systematic approach to administrative duties
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to enable professional interaction with a wide range of contacts, both internal and external
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to organise and plan own work
• Excellent attention to detail, with the ability to maintain a high level of accuracy
• A flexible and adaptable approach to work including the ability to prioritise and re-prioritise
• Ability to deal with sensitive information with discretion and to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to work as part of a team and take direction accurately
• Ability to demonstrate resilience, determination and a positive approach when faced with challenges, setbacks or changing circumstances

• GCSE grade C or above in Maths and English (or equivalent)

Desirable

• Experience of processing payroll
• Driving license and own vehicle

This job description reflects the major tasks to be carried out by the jobholder and identifies the level of responsibility at which the jobholder will be required to work.

This job description may be subject to review and/ or amendment at any time to reflect the requirements of the job and the organisation.