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- Tasks: Support financial operations and manage resources in a dynamic finance team.
- Company: Join Ofwat, a people-centric organisation focused on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in public sector accounting while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in financial accounting and strong Excel skills required.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 28000 £ per year.
Join Ofwat’s Finance Team as an Accounts Assistant. This is a fixed-term appointment up until December 2027. Office Location: Birmingham (B5 4UA) with hybrid working.
The Role
We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented finance professional to join our Finance team as an additional Accounts Assistant. The Accounts Assistant role is varied and involves providing essential support in financial operations and assisting in the effective management of financial resources. This role will report into the Financial Accountant and will work with other team members to ensure accuracy, compliance, and transparency in financial activities.
As an Accounts Assistant, you will predominantly support the financial control and accounting functions including:
- Purchase ledger
- Sales ledger
- Bank reconciliations
- Month end journals
- Statutory and transparency returns
- Processing expense claims
- Managing the finance mailbox and all associated queries
- Other ad hoc tasks to support the financial accounting team
This opportunity particularly suits candidates with an interest in government and public sector accounting.
Essential Experience, Skills & Knowledge
Lead Criteria 1: Proven experience in a financial accounting environment, working within an Accounts Payable and an Accounts Receivable team.
Lead Criteria 2: Solid understanding of core accounting principles and their application in month-end and reconciliation tasks. Studying towards an accounting qualification or qualified by experience. Familiarity with financial software and ERP systems used for financial reporting and ledger management e.g. Oracle Fusion. Proficient in using Excel, with the ability to use skills to analyse and present data with attention to detail and numerical accuracy. Experience of improving current finance processes, with the ability to solve problems whilst meeting the needs of the customer and the business. Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to build and maintain excellent working relationships with a range of stakeholders.
Why You Should Join Us
People Centric: Our people are at the heart of Ofwat and everything we do - we ensure all voices are heard and treat each other with respect; you'll be given the autonomy and the support to do your role in the best way.
Innovative Work Environment: We embrace agile and new ways of working and have a culture built on trust, flexibility, and collaboration.
Development Opportunities: Gain valuable experience and develop your skills in a supportive and dynamic setting.
Work-Life Balance: Enjoy the flexibility of working from home combined with the benefits of in-person collaboration in our Birmingham offices. Good employer pension contributions. 25 days’ annual leave, increasing to 30 with each year of service, plus bank holidays and an extra 2.5 days of privilege leave. Access to exclusive discounts on a variety of goods and services, including retail outlets, theatre tickets, holidays, insurance, and a gym membership. Fees paid for membership of relevant professional bodies. Up to 3 volunteering days per year. Generous shared parental leave and pay supporting your family life.
Accounts Assistant employer: Ofwat
Contact Detail:
Ofwat Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Accounts Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Ofwat and its values. When you understand what they stand for, you can tailor your conversations and show how you fit right in with their culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider tips or even a referral, which can give you a leg up in the hiring process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to finance roles. Think about your past experiences and how they relate to the essential criteria listed in the job description. We want you to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Accounts Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Accounts Assistant role. Highlight your experience in financial accounting, especially in Accounts Payable and Receivable. We want to see how your skills match the essential criteria!
Craft a Compelling Personal Statement: Your personal statement is your chance to shine! Use it to directly address how your skills and experiences meet the lead criteria. Keep it concise and focused – remember, one page of A4 is all you have!
Show Off Your Excel Skills: Since proficiency in Excel is key for this role, don’t forget to mention any specific projects or tasks where you've used Excel to analyse data. We love seeing attention to detail and numerical accuracy!
Apply Through Our Website: While you can send your application to recruitment@ofwat.gov.uk, we encourage you to check out our website for more details. It’s a great way to get a feel for our culture and values before applying!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ofwat
✨Know Your Numbers
Brush up on your financial accounting knowledge, especially around accounts payable and receivable. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your experience that demonstrate your understanding of core accounting principles and how you've applied them in month-end tasks.
✨Tailor Your Personal Statement
Make sure your personal statement directly addresses the lead criteria mentioned in the job description. Highlight your relevant skills and experiences succinctly, ensuring it fits within one page of A4. This is your chance to shine, so make every word count!
✨Familiarise Yourself with Financial Software
If you have experience with Oracle Fusion or similar ERP systems, be prepared to discuss it. If not, do a bit of research on these tools and be ready to explain how you would adapt to using them. Showing initiative here can really impress the interviewers.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since excellent communication skills are essential for this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Think about how you can build relationships with stakeholders and be ready to share examples of how you've done this in previous roles.