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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a growing team to manage month-end close and analyse management accounts.
- Company: Dynamic manufacturing business with exciting growth opportunities.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience in a fast-paced private equity environment.
- Why this job: Make an impact by optimising financial processes and supporting strategic decisions.
- Qualifications: Part-qualified in CAI, ICAEW, CIMA or ACCA with finance experience.
- Other info: Ideal for those seeking career growth in a vibrant, change-driven setting.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Hayward Hawk is delighted to be partnering with a scaling manufacturing business to recruit an Assistant Accountant to join their team. This is a newly created role due to a period of sustained growth and PE investment. A fantastic opportunity to develop experience in a fast-paced PE environment.
The Role
- Playing a key role in delivering a disciplined, high-quality month-end close in a PE environment
- Preparing and analysing management accounts with a strong emphasis on cost performance and margin drivers
- Producing clear, decision-focused variance analysis for senior management
- Supporting monthly, quarterly and annual performance reporting aligned to PE expectations
- Owning and maintaining robust cost accounting across production, inventory and work-in-progress
- Performing detailed cost and margin analysis, including standard vs actual, estimate vs actual and yield variances
- Supporting continuous improvement of costing models, stock valuation and inventory controls
- Reviewing production and operational data to ensure financial outputs reflect commercial reality
- Supporting the development and optimisation of ERP, stock and management information systems
- Improving visibility and consistency of operational KPIs used in financial reporting
- Supporting budgeting, forecasting, working capital management and liquidity reporting
- Supporting statutory accounts preparation and audit processes
- Preparing VAT, Intrastat and other regulatory returns
- Managing R&D cost tracking, grant claims and statistical submissions
- Supporting credit control activity and financial investigations where required
The Person
- Part-qualified (or actively studying) CAI, ICAEW, CIMA or ACCA
- 3+ years experience in a finance role with strong exposure to costing and month-end
- Proven experience in cost accounting, ideally in a manufacturing or production-led environment
- Track record of working with integrated finance / ERP systems
- Experience in PE-backed, fast-paced or change-driven environments highly desirable
Please contact Gemma Murphy in confidence for more information.
Assistant Accountant - Top 100 in Belfast employer: Hayward Hawk
Contact Detail:
Hayward Hawk Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Accountant - Top 100 in Belfast
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who have experience in PE-backed environments. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your cost accounting knowledge and understanding the specific challenges faced in manufacturing. We want you to shine when discussing how you can contribute to month-end closes and variance analysis!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills with real examples! When you get the chance to interview, be ready to discuss your past experiences with cost performance and margin drivers. We love hearing about how you've tackled challenges in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for passionate candidates who are eager to grow in a fast-paced environment like ours.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Accountant - Top 100 in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Assistant Accountant role. Highlight your experience in cost accounting and any relevant skills that match the job description. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
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 your background aligns with our needs. Keep it concise but impactful – we love a good story!
Showcase Relevant Experience: When filling out your application, be sure to showcase your experience in finance roles, especially in cost accounting. Mention any work with ERP systems or in fast-paced environments, as these are key for us.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hayward Hawk
✨Know Your Numbers
As an Assistant Accountant, you'll be dealing with a lot of financial data. Brush up on your cost accounting principles and be ready to discuss how you've applied them in previous roles. Be prepared to explain variance analysis and how it impacts decision-making.
✨Showcase Your ERP Experience
Since the role involves working with integrated finance/ERP systems, make sure you highlight any relevant experience you have. Talk about specific systems you've used and how they helped improve financial reporting or operational efficiency.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment. Think of examples where you've improved costing models or managed inventory controls. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Understand PE Expectations
Familiarise yourself with the expectations of private equity environments. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to high-quality month-end closes and support performance reporting. Showing that you understand the nuances of working in a PE-backed company will set you apart.
