At a Glance
- Tasks: Support financial accounting and reporting processes with a local authority.
- Company: Join a dynamic local authority team focused on financial excellence.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, develop skills, and enhance your CV.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in finance while learning from experienced professionals.
- Qualifications: AAT Level 2 or NVQ Level 2 in Accounting preferred.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional development and teamwork in a supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 500 - 1500 £ per month.
1 - 2 Month Contract With A Local Authority
Job Purpose
To work closely with the Accountant and Finance Business Partner to support CCR’s financial accounting, reporting, and internal control processes. Ensure all inputs to the General Ledger from feeder systems are accurate, timely, and robust. Provide support to the wider finance team, and key internal and external stakeholders, across all accounting and reporting requirements.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Assist the Accountant in preparing revenue budget estimates, monthly and quarterly account closures, and ensure compliance with corporate codes of practice.
- Support monitoring and financing of expenditure, including grant claims and statistical returns.
- Oversee the Income Scheduler: ensure periodic income billing, track receipts, and support the dunning process to maximize cashflow.
- Manage CCR’s Procure-to-Pay process: review and action purchase requisitions, generate purchase orders, goods receipt, and invoice receipt. Ensure Purchase Ledger accuracy to inform management accounts.
- Maintain integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of general ledger transactions in CIVICA, ensuring all supporting documentation is complete for auditing purposes.
- Manage CCR’s banking arrangements, including bank reconciliations and cashflow forecasting.
- Assist with VAT control account reconciliation and preparation of monthly VAT returns.
- Contribute to the improvement of financial processes and documentation of system usage.
- Support the Accountant to ensure all financial entries are accurate and timely, as outlined in monthly, quarterly, and annual closing schedules.
- Be a proactive and committed member of the Finance Team.
Requirements
- AAT Level 2 or NVQ Level 2 in Accounting (or equivalent)
- Evidence of ongoing professional development
- Basic understanding of accounting functions and how they interact
- Experience with financial processes such as budgeting, reconciliations, and ledger entries
- Technically competent in accounting tasks
- Strong computer skills including Word, Excel, and preferably financial management systems
- Ability to produce accurate, high-quality work
- Able to maintain proper working papers for audit purposes
- Able to research tasks or projects independently
- Self-motivated and willing to learn
- Able to use initiative and work with minimal supervision
- Good time management to meet deadlines
- Effective interpersonal skills and teamwork
- Commitment to equality and corporate policies
- Knowledge of Local Government or Public Sector Finance (desirable)
- Experience working in a team or project environment (desirable)
- Ability to communicate in Welsh, or willingness to learn (desirable)
- Full and valid driving licence (desirable)
Accounts Assistant in Cardiff employer: CRA GROUP RECRUITMENT AND PAYROLL LTD
Contact Detail:
CRA GROUP RECRUITMENT AND PAYROLL LTD Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Accounts Assistant in Cardiff
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those who have worked with local authorities. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of financial processes and local government finance. We recommend practising common interview questions and scenarios related to accounting tasks to show you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Bring along examples of your previous work, like reports or reconciliations, to demonstrate your technical competence. This will help you stand out as a candidate who can produce high-quality work.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and committed to joining our finance team.
We think you need these skills to ace Accounts Assistant in Cardiff
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Accounts Assistant role. Highlight your relevant experience with financial processes, budgeting, and reconciliations. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our finance team. Keep it concise but impactful – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to mention your technical skills, especially with Excel and any financial management systems you've used. We’re keen on candidates who can produce accurate, high-quality work, so let us know how you do that!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at CRA GROUP RECRUITMENT AND PAYROLL LTD
✨Know Your Numbers
Brush up on your accounting knowledge, especially around budgeting, reconciliations, and ledger entries. Be ready to discuss how these processes work and how they relate to the role of an Accounts Assistant.
✨Showcase Your Tech Skills
Make sure you’re comfortable with Excel and any financial management systems mentioned in the job description. Prepare to give examples of how you've used these tools in past roles to improve accuracy and efficiency.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
This role requires collaboration with the finance team and other stakeholders. Think of examples where you’ve worked effectively in a team, and be ready to share how you contribute to a positive team environment.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect questions that may involve real-life scenarios related to financial processes. Practice articulating how you would handle tasks like managing the Procure-to-Pay process or ensuring compliance with corporate codes of practice.