Accounts Assistant

We are now seeking two proactive Accounts Assistants to join our operational team at Oakdale. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who thrives on organisation, collaboration, and driving continuous improvement. You'll play a key role in ensuring Oakdale runs smoothly, efficiently, and in line with our mission to help people thrive.

Role Overview

The Accounts Assistant role is a core post in the Oakdale Centre, providing support to the finance team in the day‑to‑day running of the finance function. This pivotal hands‑on role requires strong technical accounting and spreadsheet skills with an essential eye for detail. The role holds responsibility for providing an efficient, organised and accurate finance function, including sales and purchase ledgers and bookkeeping, and supporting the production of management information.

Responsibilities

• Follow and use our accounting and database systems (Xero and a bespoke Salesforce configuration), ensuring accurate maintenance of the organisation's financial database and systems.
• Reconcile bank accounts and maintain the sales and purchase ledgers.
• Raise and process sales invoices for all areas of the business.
• Process purchase invoices and create payment schedules for all areas of the business.
• Manage credit control for all areas of the business.
• Handle banking of client money, take payments over the phone, and issue receipts when required.
• Maintain the petty cash ledger.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with commercial customers, suppliers and other external parties.
• Support month‑end and year‑end processes, facilitating timely and accurate reporting of financial and management information.
• Steward practitioner monies.

General Duties

• Be an integral staff team member of the centre team and contribute to its positive reputation and development.
• Attend appraisals and training when required.
• Comply with the requirements of the centre's policies and procedures.
• Undertake occasional evening/weekend work.
• Undertake housekeeping duties as required.
• Recognise that this role goes beyond operational duties and offers a tangible impact on people's lives through strong organisational skills and support.

Qualifications

• General education to GCSE Equivalent Grade C or above.
• Experience using a range of IT systems and packages, including databases.
• A good understanding of bookkeeping and accountancy procedures.
• Ability to make recommendations for process improvement.
• Enthusiastic, committed, and a fast learner with approximately two years’ experience in a busy finance environment.
• Ability to handle complexity and variety in a role.
• Computer literate with an aptitude for numbers.
• Ability to work with individuals across departments and liaise with external customers and contacts.
• Solid organisational skills and the ability to prioritise a varied workload.
• Ability to work on own initiative and manage tight timescales.
• Proactive, organised, and methodical, with a temperament suited to working with details and taking pride in accuracy.
• High level of personal and professional commitment.
• Capability to manage financial transactions accurately.
• Shared values and willingness to support colleagues and clients as part of a small but dedicated, close‑knit team.
• Strong ability to follow patterns and problem‑solve when needed.
• Ability to manage time effectively.
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Team‑player with strong initiative.

Desirable Skills

• AAT qualification 1, 2 & 3.
• Experience using Google Workspace.
• Experience of Xero accounting software.
• Experience of the health or social care sector.

Personal Qualities

• Commitment to Oakdale Centres ethos and support the organisation’s progress and forward momentum.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Honest and trustworthy.
• Deal with all colleagues and customers with dignity and respect.

Benefits

• 29 days' annual leave (including bank holidays), increasing with service.
• Flexible and agile working from day one.
• SimplyHealth: 24/7 GP access, counselling, physiotherapy, and more.
• Exclusive, heavily discounted rates for you and your family on private ADHD and autism neurodevelopmental assessments, through our own expert service.
• Fully funded flu vaccines.
• Employee wellbeing initiative with trained mental health champions.
• Smart Pension & Rewards: plan for your future with discounts and cashback.
• Enhanced occupational sick pay.
• Cycle to Work & Technology salary sacrifice schemes.
• Employee discount scheme.
• Protected CPD days, annual away days, and high‑quality training.
• Professional registration fees covered (where applicable).
• Opportunities to influence service improvement and innovation.
• Laptop, monitor, keyboard, and any additional equipment you need to do your best work.

For over 25 years, Oakdale has delivered high‑quality, evidence‑based therapies and assessments for children, young people, and adults. As a not‑for‑profit, values‑driven organisation, we partner with the NHS, schools, local authorities, and private clients to provide care that changes lives.