Finance Assistant - Oxford

Shaw Gibbs is a growing top 35 accountancy practice who provide expert solutions for entrepreneurial businesses and private individuals in Central and Southern England. Shaw Gibbs invest in their teams of high-quality specialists who work with the best-in-breed technology to create value for our clients which exceeds expectation. Our culture is very important to us and is based on our company values of expert, respectful, innovative and collaborative. We develop high performing teams diverse in experiences, backgrounds and ideas. As a growing company, there are plenty of opportunities for development and quick progression. Our practice is known for having a friendly and supportive team culture where everyone receives training and development to increase their technical knowledge and their commercial and management skills. We put our people first and are constantly looking for ways to improve our people experience. With respectful as one of our values, we are committed to creating an inclusive culture that respects, values and celebrates cultural and individual differences.

We have several offices in Central and Southern England and have ambitious plans to expand our business. To support the organisation’s growth, we have created a new opportunity for a Finance Assistant to join our Oxford Finance team. This is a permanent full-time role with hybrid and flexible working options.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Ensuring the purchase ledger is tidy at all times
• Processing of purchase invoices and credit notes, including credit card statements and expenses claims in a timely and accurate manner
• Reconciliation of supplier statements
• Creating supplier batch payments for approval
• Processing remittances to suppliers
• Following up purchase ledger queries
• Posting disbursements onto the Work in Progress ledger
• Bank reconciliations
• Maintaining the accuracy of the Practice’s records
• Ensuring that all processes and procedures are documented and stored centrally
• Communicating courteously with internal and external contacts

What We Can Offer You:

• A comprehensive study package including full funding to pursue your AAT qualifications, study leave, and time off for exams
• Hybrid working after successful completion of your probationary period (three days in the office and two days at home)
• Flexible working (flexing your hours around the core working hours of 10am to 4pm)
• Joining a fast-growing company with exciting growth plans ahead
• Exposure to a broad range of stakeholders
• Plenty of opportunity to increase your technical knowledge and skills
• A varied role within a talented and experienced team
• Entry onto our next Management Development Programme – a bespoke programme aimed at developing and enhancing leadership potential for existing and aspiring managers
• ERIC internal recognition awards – monthly recognition awards that celebrate those who champion the Shaw Gibbs values
• Long service awards
• Regular employee events including a company-wide summer party
• A competitive benefits package, including:
• A 25-day core holiday allowance plus other holiday-related benefits, such as: Holiday trading (the ability to buy or sell up to 5 days holiday per year), flexible bank holidays (the ability to flex your bank holidays to a day that suits you best) and additional holiday with service
• A dedicated “Wellbeing Day” – an additional day off per year to focus on your wellbeing
• Employee Assistant Programme (EAP) which includes access to 24/7 online GP consultations, 2nd medical opinions and mental health first aiders present in every office
• Access to MYNDUP – a wellbeing support platform which offers confidential 1-to-1 sessions with therapists, counsellors, psychologists, and coaches.
• Shaw Gibbs Rewards – access to discounts on a wide range of retailers
• Health Cash Plan – money back on routine health appointments
• Electric Vehicles Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• Client and employee referral bonuses
• Pension Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• Death in Service Life Assurance
• Enhanced family leave policies
• Bus pass discounts and loans
• Cycle to Work Scheme

About You:

We would like to hear from you if you have 2+ years’ experience in a finance, accounts, or transactional finance role (e.g. accounts payable/receivable, finance assistant, billing or credit control). We are also looking for:

• Experience working within a professional services environment (e.g. accountancy, legal, consultancy, or similar) is desirable
• Exposure to month-end processes and reconciliations
• Understanding of internal finance processes within a multi-office or partnership structure
• Experience supporting audits or working with external auditors
• Strong numerical ability with high attention to detail and accuracy
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel (including formulas, lookups, and basic data analysis)
• Experience using finance or accounting systems (e.g. Sage, Xero)
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritise effectively, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Clear and professional communication skills, both written and verbal
• Strong organisational skills with a methodical and proactive approach to work
• High levels of integrity and discretion when handling confidential financial information

Diversity, equality and inclusion:

Shaw Gibbs is an inclusive employer, and we are committed to providing equal opportunities to all candidates by ensuring a comfortable and accessible interview experience. We understand that some individuals may have specific needs or require accommodation/adjustments during the recruitment process. If you require any adjustments to ensure your recruitment experience with Shaw Gibbs is as inclusive and accessible as possible, please let us know at your earliest convenience via the application form or via an email to recruitment@shawgibbs.com.

We believe that diversity makes Shaw Gibbs a stronger firm and we look to employ people with different ideas, styles and skillsets. This diversity stimulates a rich, creative environment – one in which our people develop, and our clients enjoy enduring results. We’re committed to recruiting, promoting and rewarding our people solely based on their ability to contribute to Shaw Gibbs’ goals, without regard to their sex, gender, race, disability, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age or marital status.

Right to work:

Unfortunately, for this role we are unable to offer sponsorship for visas/work permits, so you will need to have full right to work in the UK. Your application will be automatically rejected if you do not have full right to work.