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- Tasks: Prepare monthly management accounts and deliver financial insights for decision-making.
- Company: Established retail business with a dynamic finance team.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, real responsibility, and exposure to a commercial environment.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for process improvements and career growth.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in finance and make an impact in a fast-paced setting.
- Qualifications: Experience in accounting roles and strong Excel skills; studying towards an accounting qualification.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
A well-established retail business is seeking an Assistant Accountant to join their finance team on a 12-month fixed-term contract. This is a fantastic opportunity for a hands-on finance professional who enjoys ownership of the numbers and thrives in a fast-paced, commercial environment.
The core focus of the role is the preparation of monthly management accounts, supported by robust analysis and reporting for senior stakeholders. Alongside this, you will support core finance processes, systems, and data integrity across the business.
- Prepare accurate and timely monthly management accounts, supported by clear analysis and commentary.
- Deliver financial insights and ad hoc analysis to support commercial and operational decision-making.
- Assist with budgeting and forecasting, including consolidations and reporting templates.
- Support year-end and audit processes, ensuring all adjustments are correctly captured and documented.
- Maintain and support finance systems, ensuring data integrity, accurate coding, and reliable reporting.
- Perform regular reconciliations and system checks to identify and resolve discrepancies.
- Support the maintenance of core finance structures, including charts of accounts and reporting hierarchies.
- Assist with staff cost data, timesheets, and related finance processes to support accurate reporting.
- Contribute to process improvements, documentation, and consistency across finance workflows.
- Work collaboratively with finance and wider business teams to meet month-end deadlines and business objectives.
Experience in an Assistant Accountant / Accounts or month-end focused role is required, along with strong exposure to management accounts preparation. Good Excel skills (pivot tables, formulas, data manipulation) are essential. You should be comfortable working with finance systems and large datasets. Studying towards an accounting qualification (AAT / ACCA / CIMA) or equivalent experience is preferred. Retail, FMCG, or multi-site experience would be advantageous but not essential.
Location: Hybrid role in Cambridge Contract: 12-month FTC Exposure to a commercial retail environment with real responsibility and autonomy.
Assistant Accountant in Cambridge employer: Michael Page Finance
Contact Detail:
Michael Page Finance Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Accountant in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who work in retail or similar sectors. 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 management accounts knowledge. Be ready to discuss how you've handled financial insights and ad hoc analysis in past roles. We want to see your hands-on experience shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your Excel skills! Whether it's pivot tables or data manipulation, make sure you can demonstrate your proficiency. We love candidates who can handle large datasets with ease.
✨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 looking for passionate finance professionals who thrive in a fast-paced environment like ours.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Accountant in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in preparing management accounts and any relevant finance systems you've worked with. We want to see how your skills match the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing your Excel prowess!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re excited about the Assistant Accountant position and how your background makes you a great fit. We love seeing genuine enthusiasm for the role and the company.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since the role involves delivering financial insights and analysis, make sure to mention any specific examples where you've used your analytical skills to support decision-making. We appreciate candidates who can demonstrate their impact on previous teams.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Michael Page Finance
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you brush up on your accounting knowledge, especially around management accounts preparation. Be ready to discuss how you've handled financial reporting in the past and any specific tools or systems you've used.
✨Excel Skills are Key
Since good Excel skills are a must for this role, practice using pivot tables and formulas before the interview. You might even want to prepare a few examples of how you've used Excel to manipulate data or create reports.
✨Show Your Analytical Side
Be prepared to talk about how you've delivered financial insights in previous roles. Think of specific instances where your analysis supported decision-making and be ready to explain your thought process.
✨Collaborate and Communicate
This role requires working closely with various teams, so highlight your teamwork skills. Share examples of how you've collaborated with others to meet deadlines or improve finance processes, showing that you're a team player.