Assistant Accountant Accounts Payable & Bank Reconciliations in Devon

Assistant Accountant Accounts Payable & Bank Reconciliations in Devon

Devon Temporary 30000 - 40000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support month-end processes and improve financial data accuracy.
  • Company: Established organisation delivering essential services with a collaborative culture.
  • Benefits: Competitive hourly rate, immediate start, and potential for extension.
  • Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for growth and development.
  • Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in accounting while making a real impact on financial processes.
  • Qualifications: Experience in accounting, strong Excel skills, and analytical mindset required.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.

A well-established, multi-site organisation delivering essential services within a regulated environment. The business operates at scale while retaining a collaborative, hands-on culture, supported by a small but agile finance function. Finance plays a key role within the organisation, not only ensuring accuracy and control but also supporting continuous improvement across financial processes and reporting.

This is a hands-on Assistant Accountant position focused on supporting month-end processes and improving the accuracy and integrity of financial data. A key part of the role will involve preparing and reviewing balance sheet reconciliations, investigating discrepancies across multiple accounts and periods, and working through underlying transactional data to identify and implement corrections. You will be expected to go beyond basic reconciliation activity, applying strong accounting understanding to assess accuracy, resolve issues and improve existing processes.

Responsibilities will include:

  • Preparing timely monthly balance sheet reconciliations
  • Investigating and resolving discrepancies across multiple accounts and entities
  • Working with large datasets to analyse and correct financial information
  • Proposing and implementing improvements to reconciliation and reporting processes
  • Supporting month-end close including: Accruals and prepayments, Fixed assets and depreciation journals
  • Supporting the preparation of month-end financial reporting

In addition, you will provide ad hoc cover across the wider finance function, including support for sales ledger, credit control and payroll processes when required.

You will have proven experience in an Assistant Accountant or similar role, with strong exposure to month-end processes and balance sheet reconciliations. You will be confident reviewing financial data, investigating discrepancies and applying accounting knowledge to resolve issues. Strong Excel skills are essential, including experience working with large datasets and using functions such as VLOOKUPs and pivot tables. You will have a solid understanding of double-entry bookkeeping and be comfortable posting journals including accruals, prepayments and depreciation. You will be highly analytical, detail-driven and able to work independently in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.

Competitive hourly rate, depending on experience. Office-based role in the Torbay area. Immediate start available. Initial 3-month assignment with potential for extension.

If you’re interested in this role, please apply now or get in touch for a confidential discussion.

Assistant Accountant Accounts Payable & Bank Reconciliations in Devon employer: Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited

Join a well-established, multi-site organisation in Torbay that values collaboration and hands-on culture within its finance function. As an Assistant Accountant, you will benefit from a competitive hourly rate, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to contribute to meaningful financial processes in a supportive environment. With a focus on continuous improvement and accuracy, this role offers a unique opportunity to enhance your skills while working with a dedicated team in a dynamic setting.

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited

Contact Details:

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Assistant Accountant Accounts Payable & Bank Reconciliations in Devon

Join Financial Networking Events

Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.

Utilise Temp Agencies Specialised in Finance

Reach out to temp agencies that focus on the banking sector. They often have strong ties with various firms and can help you secure short-term gigs that can help beef up your CV and get your foot in the door at firms like Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited.

Connect with Alumni from Your Uni

Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.

Stay Active on Job Boards and Company Websites

Keep your eyes peeled on job boards specifically for finance roles. Companies like Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited might post temporary positions directly on their sites, so make sure to apply there too. Set alerts to catch those roles the moment they go live!

We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Accountant Accounts Payable & Bank Reconciliations in Devon

Balance Sheet Reconciliations
Discrepancy Investigation
Financial Data Analysis
Process Improvement
Month-End Close Support
Accruals and Prepayments
Fixed Assets and Depreciation Journals

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!

Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited will be keen to see in your application.

Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!

Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.

How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited

Brush Up on Financial Regulations

Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited.

Showcase Your Analytical Skills

Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.

Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability

For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited that you’re a reliable team player.

Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn

In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.