At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in financial reporting, manage accounts, and support payroll processes.
- Company: Catalyst Support is a leading charity in Surrey focused on community wellness and transformative social impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working arrangements, including hybrid options, and a supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Join a mission-driven team that values kindness and integrity while making a real difference in people's lives.
- Qualifications: Minimum 2 years in finance, experience with Xero, and strong Excel skills required.
- Other info: This role requires a DBS check; past issues won't automatically disqualify you.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Organisation Who we are: Catalyst Support is a leading Surrey charity dedicated to championing wellness across communities, transforming lives by addressing mental, physical, and emotional health needs. Guided by the belief that wellness is a right for all, Catalyst Support embodies its moto, Supporting Wellness Together, by empowering individuals and communities with innovative, accessible services. With embedded values of kindness, integrity, and commitment, the charity strives to create sustainable, transformative social impact. Through strong partnerships, ethical governance, and initiatives focused on environmental and financial sustainability, Catalyst Support aligns its efforts with national health priorities, embracing the opportunities to lead the way in integrated, preventative, and community-based care. Purpose of Job The Assistant Accountant will support the Finance Manager in ensuring all financial aspects run smoothly and efficiently. The Assistant Accountant will work with both Catalyst Support Limited (Catalyst) and AlphaCommunity Outreach (Alpha), liaise with People and Culture (Payroll) and business partner with Service Managers in the delivery of our projects . This post is subject to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level. Please note past drug and/or alcohol or criminality history will not necessarily discount you from undertaking this role. Key Activities: To produce monthly project reporting and monitoring with the Finance Manage and work collaboratively with Service Managers / Senior Leadership Team. To assist the Finance Manager in producing monthly, quarterly and ad-hoc project reports for service managers and donors/ funders. To assist the Finance Manager in producing quarterly management accounts and year end accounts. To assist the Finance Manager in maintaining and managing the Sales Ledger function for Catalyst. [To include; raising sales invoices, issuing to customers, responding to any queries and processing monthly recharges] To produce bi-monthly staff expenses in line with timetable. To maintain and manage the fixed asset register. To provide oversight of the purchase ledger for subsidiary and produce a quarterly intercompany journal. To work with Financial Accountant to set up bank payments in line with segregation of duties, and on Bank Reconciliations. To provide cover for the Financial Accountant as required. To occasionally support the Payroll process To highlight any financial risks and discrepancies, immediately to the Finance Manager. You may be required to cover duties not listed within this job description. General terms of reference: In carrying out the above duties the post holder will: Work collaboratively across the organisation to offer support to all main functions Be committed to the role and support Catalyst to be the most efficient it can be Be someone who believes in fairness and conducts themselves with integrity Work flexibly across operational sites, including working from home arrangements in agreement with your line manager, as required, which may include evening and weekend work Be motivated to improve personal performance, outcomes, contribution, knowledge and skills Be professional when partaking in Management, Trustee Board and other work related team meetings; appraisals, workforce development and supervision processes Keep abreast of developments in services, legislation and identify good practices where appropriate Contribute to maintaining safe systems of work and a safe environment for all staff on site or working remotely Represent Catalyst at external agencies/meetings and support our values and the culture of Catalyst Undertake other duties appropriate to the grade of the post Person Specification Qualifications and experience Minimum of 2 years accounting/finance background Experience in production of accounts Experience in purchase ledger including accruals, prepayments Experience of controlling expenditure and working to budget Experience of using Xero or a similar cloud-based system Experience in cash management Knowledge of payroll processes Knowledge and skills Ability to multi task, maintain accuracy and work to strict deadlines Ability to work independently as well as part of a team Good administration skills, with excellent attention to detail Good written and verbal skills, with a commitment to accurate and confidential record keeping Information technology Proficient in Microsoft (MS) tools e.g. Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint and Teams Advanced level MS Excel skills General Commitment to developing skills and knowledge base through ongoing learning and development Ability to work flexibly across operational hours Ability to work to the policies, procedures and standards of the Charity We acknowledge the unique contribution that all Catalyst employees and clients can bring to our organisation in terms of their culture, race, gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital status, nationality, age, religion or belief and any physical disability or history of mental health or additional problems. All appointments and promotions are based on merit and no job applicant or employee will be treated unfairly or discriminated against. All staff have equal access to staff development. Any member of staff who breaches this policy may be subject of grievance and/or disciplinary procedures. Please note: This job description may be varied from time to time as agreed by the post holder and line manager. This job description is subject to annual review. #J-18808-Ljbffr
Assistant Accountant, Woking/Hybrid employer: Catalystsupport
Contact Detail:
Catalystsupport Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Accountant, Woking/Hybrid
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Catalyst Support's mission and values. Understanding their commitment to wellness and community support will help you align your responses during interviews, showcasing how your personal values resonate with theirs.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your knowledge of Xero or similar cloud-based accounting systems. Since experience with these tools is essential for the role, being able to discuss your proficiency confidently can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare examples of how you've managed financial discrepancies or risks in previous roles. Being able to demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real scenarios will show that you're proactive and capable of handling challenges.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with current or former employees of Catalyst Support if possible. Gaining insights into the company culture and expectations can provide you with valuable information to tailor your approach during the application process.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Accountant, Woking/Hybrid
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Organisation: Before applying, take some time to understand Catalyst Support's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their commitment to wellness and community support, as this will help you tailor your application to align with their ethos.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your accounting experience, particularly in areas like purchase ledger, production of accounts, and cash management. Be specific about your previous roles and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Skills: Make sure to highlight your proficiency in Microsoft tools, especially advanced Excel skills, as well as any experience with cloud-based systems like Xero. Mention your ability to multitask and maintain accuracy under tight deadlines, as these are crucial for the role.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a compelling cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also expresses your passion for supporting wellness in the community. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you embody the values of kindness, integrity, and commitment that Catalyst Support stands for.
How to prepare for a job interview at Catalystsupport
✨Understand the Organisation's Values
Before your interview, take some time to research Catalyst Support and its commitment to wellness. Familiarise yourself with their values of kindness, integrity, and commitment, and think about how your own values align with theirs. This will help you demonstrate your fit for the role.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Given the financial nature of the Assistant Accountant role, be ready to discuss your experience with accounting software like Xero, as well as your knowledge of purchase ledgers, accruals, and prepayments. Brush up on key accounting principles and be prepared to provide examples from your past work.
✨Showcase Your Teamwork Skills
The role requires collaboration with various teams, so be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully worked in a team environment. Highlight any experiences where you supported colleagues or contributed to group projects, especially in finance-related tasks.
✨Demonstrate Attention to Detail
As an Assistant Accountant, accuracy is crucial. Be ready to discuss how you ensure precision in your work, whether it's through double-checking figures or maintaining organised records. You might even want to mention specific tools or methods you use to stay detail-oriented.