At a Glance
- Tasks: Support financial operations, focusing on contractor payroll, invoicing, and credit control.
- Company: Join a rapidly growing recruitment business in the construction sector.
- Benefits: Career progression opportunities and hands-on experience in finance.
- Other info: Dynamic role with potential to advance to Senior Finance Assistant or Finance Analyst.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a fast-paced environment while developing your finance skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance or payroll, strong attention to detail, and good Excel skills.
Michael Taylor Search & Selection is a growing recruitment business specialising in permanent and contract placements across the construction and built environment sectors. With a rapidly expanding contractor book and strong year-on-year growth, we are looking for a Finance & Payroll Assistant to support our day-to-day financial operations, with a particular focus on contractor payroll, invoicing, credit control and financial administration. This is a hands-on role within a fast-paced recruitment business and offers excellent progression as the company continues to grow.
Key Responsibilities
- Process and check weekly contractor timesheets using Timesheet Portal.
- Validate pay rates, charge rates, hours and margins before payroll and invoicing.
- Liaise with outsourced payroll providers to ensure contractors are paid accurately and on time.
- Resolve payroll, timesheet and payment queries from contractors, consultants and suppliers.
- Maintain accurate contractor records across umbrella, CIS and PSC arrangements.
- Generate and review weekly client invoices and self-bill invoices.
- Reconcile timesheets, contractor pay and client billing, investigating any discrepancies.
- Support credit control, including chasing overdue invoices, monitoring aged debt and resolving client queries.
- Assist with cash allocation, reconciliations and weekly/monthly margin checks.
- Support month-end processes including revenue reconciliation and contractor pay versus invoice analysis.
- Identify and flag margin leakage, incorrect rates or other financial anomalies.
- Support new contractor onboarding, including pay setup, client terms, RTW documentation and PSC insurance records.
- Maintain accurate financial records and help improve processes and controls as the business grows.
Skills & Experience
- Previous experience in finance, payroll, accounts administration or a similar role.
- Strong attention to detail and confidence working with high volumes of data.
- Good Excel skills with the ability to use formulas, lookups and perform reconciliations.
- Strong communication and organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
- Recruitment agency, contractor payroll or timesheet-driven business experience would be advantageous.
- Experience with umbrella payroll, CIS, PSC workers, Xero or Timesheet Portal would be beneficial.
What We Offer
This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing recruitment business where you can take ownership of key finance processes and develop your career. Longer-term progression could include Senior Finance Assistant or Finance Analyst, with increasing responsibility for margins, reporting and commercial performance.
Finance & Payroll Assistant employer: Michael Taylor Search & Selection
Join a well-established main contractor in Essex, renowned for its commitment to high-quality construction and refurbishment projects across diverse sectors such as Retail, Education, and Healthcare. This role offers not only the chance to lead estimating and tendering processes but also to maintain commercial oversight throughout project delivery, fostering strong client relationships and ensuring your contributions directly impact the company's success. With a focus on career progression and a collaborative work culture, this is an excellent opportunity for those looking to grow within a dynamic and ambitious team.
Contact Details:
Michael Taylor Search & Selection Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance & Payroll Assistant
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Michael Taylor Search & Selection. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance & Payroll Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Michael Taylor Search & Selection.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Michael Taylor Search & Selection's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Michael Taylor Search & Selection
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Michael Taylor Search & Selection.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Michael Taylor Search & Selection will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Michael Taylor Search & Selection employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
