At a Glance
- Tasks: Support financial operations for 36 hotels, bars, and restaurants while learning and growing your finance skills.
- Company: Join Cairn Group, a leading UK hospitality company with over 60 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy real-time pay access, discounts on stays, food, and wellness, plus career development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a team that values respect, integrity, sustainability, and excellence.
- Why this job: Kickstart your finance career in a supportive, people-focused environment with plenty of growth potential.
- Qualifications: Eager to learn, numerically confident, detail-oriented, and great at communication.
The predicted salary is between 22000 - 26000 £ per year.
Hospitality Starts Here – Build Your Future with Cairn Group. Are you ready to grow your career in hospitality? At Cairn Group, we believe work should be rewarding, exciting, and full of opportunities to learn and develop. Whether you’re creating unforgettable guest experiences or supporting your team, you’ll be part of a friendly, supportive environment where your contributions are valued. With the opportunity to learn, develop, and be recognised, Cairn is a place where you can build a career you’re proud of.
About the Role
We have an exciting opportunity for an Accounts Assistant to join our Central Support team based in Newcastle, supporting the financial operations of our 36 hotels, bars, and restaurants across the UK. Reporting to the Group Financial Controller, you’ll play a key part in the finance function, working alongside an experienced and supportive team. Your responsibilities will include reconciliations, data uploads, reporting, and supporting in management accounts and audit activities. This is a great opportunity for someone looking to grow their career in finance within a fast‑paced, people‑focused hospitality business.
Main Responsibilities
- Reconcile weekly sales reports and investigate variances
- Upload weekly sales data into Sage 200
- Perform bank, credit card, and cash reconciliations
- Assist with weekly and monthly financial reporting for stakeholders
- Support the production of monthly management accounts and the annual audit
- Process petty cash transactions
- Provide ad‑hoc finance support as required
About You
- Eager to Learn – You’re keen to build a career in finance and willing to take on new challenges with a positive attitude.
- Numerically Confident – You’re comfortable working with numbers and financial data.
- Detail‑Oriented – You take pride in accuracy and can spot when something doesn’t look right.
- Communicative – You’re confident working with different departments, especially hotel teams.
- Clear Writer – You can produce clear and professional written correspondence.
- Organised & Flexible – You manage multiple tasks effectively and adapt to changing priorities.
- Proactive – You use your initiative and are happy to work independently as well as part of a team.
- Familiarity with Sage 200 and Opera is a plus—but not essential, as training will be provided.
About Us
Cairn Group is a leading UK hospitality company with over 60 years of expertise in hotel acquisition, ownership, management, investment, and development. Our journey has been shaped by successful partnerships with global brands and a commitment to creating thriving, guest‑focused properties. At Cairn Group, our values - Respect, Integrity, Sustainability, and Excellence (RISE) - are at the heart of everything we do. We respect our team and guests, act with integrity, and invest in our people to build a sustainable future – for our business, our communities, and the planet. Every day, we work to deliver excellence, going the extra mile to create outstanding experiences for our guests.
Benefits
- Service Excellence Bonus: Your hard work pays off. Service charge tips and gratuities add a well‑earned boost to your pay check.
- Get Paid in Real‑Time with Wagestream: Take control of your earnings. Track your pay live, access funds when needed, and get expert financial tips—all in real‑time.
- Stay, Relax and Recharge: Enjoy discounted stays across all our venues. Treat yourself or bring your friends and family along for a well‑earned break.
- Delicious Discounts: Indulge a little with 50% off food and drinks across our hotels, bars and restaurants.
- Spa Discounts: Self‑care matters! Treat yourself with exclusive wellness offers at our spas and leisure clubs.
- Retail, Cinema & Fun Discounts: Enjoy exclusive access to savings on shopping, cinema trips and fun days out.
- Rise with Us: From apprenticeships to leadership programs, our development team is here to help you grow and reach your career goals.
- Superstar Awards: Your hard work deserves the spotlight! Each month we celebrate and reward our team members who showcase our values and bring hospitality to life.
- Long‑Service Awards: Celebrate key milestones with us, starting from just one year of service.
- Recommend a Friend: Bring great people into the team and earn a bonus when they join!
- 24/7 Support: We’re committed to your wellbeing. Access our confidential Employee Assistance Programme anytime, anywhere.
- Pension Scheme: Plan for your future with our pension plan, designed to help you build long‑term security.
- Year‑Round Incentives: Enjoy fun incentives, exciting challenges, and surprise perks throughout the year!
- Bereavement Leave: When life gets tough, we ensure you have the time and support you need to be with your loved ones.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Accounts Assistant in London
✨Explore Local Hotspots
For entry-level roles in the hospitality food service industry, getting a foot in the door can often mean walking into local cafés, restaurants, or hotels with your CV in hand. Introduce yourself, ask about openings, and show your enthusiasm. This face-to-face approach can really set you apart from other candidates who just apply online!
✨Utilise Seasonal Hiring Trends
Keep an eye on the busy seasons, like summer or winter holidays, when restaurants and venues are ramping up for new staff. Many establishments look for extra hands during these peak times, so target your applications around these windows. Engage with local event calendars to find places that might be preparing for busy periods.
✨Join Hospitality Communities
Connect with local hospitality groups on social media or platforms like Meetup; they're a great way to learn about unadvertised opportunities and network with industry folks. Plus, you’ll get insider tips on where the best spots to apply are, and maybe even find a mentor to guide you through your first steps in the industry.
✨Polish those Soft Skills
In food service, your ability to communicate well and remain calm under pressure is crucial. Consider volunteering at local events or gatherings where you can showcase these skills. It not only adds experience to your CV but also demonstrates your willingness to learn and adapt, which is super enticing to potential employers like Cairn Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Accounts Assistant in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Skills:In the hospitality-food-service world, mentioning your customer service experience is key. Even if it’s just a part-time gig or a volunteer role, highlight how you made customers happy or handled tricky situations. We love seeing those people-focused skills in your application!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you've got any relevant certifications, like a food hygiene certificate or bartending course, make sure they shine in your CV. Certifications show you're serious about your craft, and we appreciate candidates who come prepared with the right knowledge and skills for the job.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:For an entry-level position like this, your cover letter should reflect your enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Talk about why you’re excited about the role at Cairn Group and what you hope to gain from working in hospitality. Let your personality come through!
Keep Your CV Clear and Concise:In hospitality, hiring managers might be sifting through loads of applications. Keep your CV neat and ensure it highlights your relevant experience and skills without fluff. Stick to one page if you can, making it easy for us to see why you'd be a great fit at Cairn Group!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cairn Group
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
You'd be surprised at how many candidates stumble on questions about the menu! Make sure you familiarise yourself with the food and drink offerings at Cairn Group. Knowing the ingredients, cooking methods, and even the specials can really impress your interviewer and show you're genuinely interested.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
In the hospitality-food-service world, customer service is king. Prepare some examples of how you've handled customer interactions in the past, whether in a part-time job or even during group projects. Practising these scenarios can set you apart and highlight your problem-solving abilities.
✨Be Ready for Practical Assessments
Since you're going for an entry-level role, don't be surprised if they ask you to demonstrate your skills in a practical way. Whether that's making a drink or setting a table, brush up on basic hospitality tasks. It shows that you're not just talk, but you can walk the walk too!
✨Display Your Willingness to Learn
As an entry-level candidate, your enthusiasm and willingness to grow can go a long way. Be prepared to discuss what you hope to learn and how you can contribute to the team at Cairn Group. Your motivation can often outweigh experience, so let that passion shine through!
