Finance Assistant, Rural Estates in Chester

Finance Assistant – Rural Estates

Location: Eaton Estate Office, Chester; Reporting to: Finance Manager – Rural Estates; Contract: Fixed-term contract (12 months); Working hours: Full-time 35 hours a week/hybrid working.

About Eaton Estate Located on the outskirts of the city of Chester and home to the Grosvenor family since the 1400s, Eaton Estate is a leading UK rural estate. Focused on rural Cheshire, our activities range from managing and constantly improving property and places, to manufacturing sustainably grown British timber. We are driven by an ambition to deliver positive change that contributes to the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the communities we are part of. We do this through investing in the rural economy, promoting environmental sustainability and helping local communities thrive, with the purpose of addressing today’s needs while taking responsibility for those of future generations.

The opportunity We are looking for a Finance Assistant to join our Rural Estates finance team at the Eaton Estate Office in Chester. This is a varied role supporting the Grosvenor Family Office and UK rural estate operations. You will provide an accurate, responsive financial service while working closely with colleagues across Finance, property management and the wider operational teams. Our activities span rural estate management, conservation, property and places, food production and sustainable timber. We are united by a common purpose: to deliver lasting commercial, social and environmental benefit while addressing today’s needs and taking responsibility for future generations.

Key Responsibilities

• Approve invoices and prepare ad-hoc payments.
• Prepare and post journals, including cashbooks, month-end entries and recharges.
• Create sales and recharge invoices using property management and sales ledger systems.
• Process high volumes of receipts, including rent, sales of goods and other income.
• Perform monthly reconciliations for review, such as cash at bank, debtors and creditors.
• Support the preparation of management accounts, budgets and forecasts.
• Provide commentary for allocated management account budget lines.
• Respond to audit and management account queries.
• Approve rental property changes, including new lettings, rent reviews and deposit refunds.
• Build effective working relationships with colleagues across the Rural Estates and other business areas.
• Follow financial controls and contribute ideas to improve Finance processes.
• Support ad-hoc projects and develop a broad understanding of rural estate operations.

About You

• You will be organised, accurate and comfortable managing a varied workload to deadlines.
• You will take pride in providing a high-quality service, build positive working relationships and handle confidential information with discretion.
• Bookkeeping and accounts payable experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing accurate work.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• A proactive, adaptable and positive approach.
• The ability to prioritise your workload and respond effectively to changing requirements.
• A full UK driving licence.

Why Join Us

You will join a collaborative and values-led organisation where integrity, trust and respect shape how we work. The role offers the opportunity to develop broad finance experience within the distinctive and varied environment of the Rural Estates. Alongside a competitive salary, you will receive a range of benefits including a generous non-contributory pension, life assurance, 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, a broad and diverse social events calendar and access to further benefits and discounts through our employee benefits platform.

• Generous non-contributory pension
• Life assurance
• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
• A broad and diverse social events calendar
• Access to further benefits and discounts through our employee benefits platform

We think this is a very special place to work. Our international activities span urban property, food and agtech, rural estate management and support for philanthropic initiatives - meaning we are able to offer a wide range of rewarding career opportunities. We are united by a common purpose: to deliver lasting commercial, social and environmental benefit, and this drives everything we do. It means that we put planet and people at the centre of what we do and why we want people with open minds and fresh ideas to join us.