At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Head of Finance with diverse finance responsibilities and gain valuable experience.
- Company: Well-established business in St Albans with a supportive finance team.
- Benefits: Salary up to £35,000, hybrid working, and flexible hours after training.
- Other info: Opportunity for career development in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team, learn from experts, and broaden your finance skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance roles, strong Excel skills, and a proactive attitude.
Think Accountancy & Finance are delighted to be partnering with a well-established and highly regarded business in St Albans to recruit a Finance Assistant to join their team on an initial 9-month fixed term contract to directly support the Head of Finance. This role comes with so much variety, you will be working directly alongside an experienced Head of Finance, gaining exposure across a wide range of responsibilities whilst becoming an integral part of the team.
Why this opportunity? You'll be joining a long-standing finance team where knowledge is shared, development is encouraged and new ideas are valued. With many long standing members, it's a real reflection of the culture and environment they've built. Whilst this is a fixed-term contract, you'll receive excellent exposure across finance, as well as other areas of the business, with the opportunity to develop skills in areas such as VAT, payroll and legal finance, even if you haven't worked in those areas before.
The Role
- Assisting with monthly management accounts and financial reporting
- Preparing profit & loss schedules
- Reconciling bank accounts and processing transfers
- Monitoring financial performance and reporting against fee targets
- Processing supplier invoices and maintaining accurate financial records
- Supporting VAT returns, payroll journals and pension reporting
- Assisting with budgeting and annual audit preparation
- Working alongside the legal cashiering team to support finance operations
- Helping develop and improve finance processes and reporting
- Providing support to Partners and senior stakeholders across the business
No two days will be the same, making this an ideal role for someone who enjoys variety and wants to broaden their finance experience.
About You
We're looking for someone with a solid grounding in finance who enjoys getting involved and isn't afraid to roll their sleeves up. You'll ideally have:
- Previous experience within an Accounts Assistant or Finance Assistant role
- A good understanding of double-entry bookkeeping and core accounting principles
- Very strong Excel skills, including manipulating data and working with reports
- Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills
- A proactive, positive approach and willingness to learn
- Confidence working with different stakeholders across the business
Experience with payroll, VAT or within a legal finance environment would be advantageous, but is by no means essential. Full support and training will be provided in areas for the right person.
What's on Offer?
- Salary up to £35,000
- 9 Month Fixed Term Contract
- Hybrid working after successful training (1 day per week from home)
- Monday to Friday 9am-5pm office hours, open to flexible start / finish times
- Exposure to management accounts, VAT, payroll and legal finance
- Work directly alongside an experienced Head of Finance
- Join an established, supportive finance team with outstanding staff retention
- A varied role where you'll genuinely develop your finance career
If you're available at short notice and looking for a role where you can broaden your finance experience, learn from experienced professionals and become part of a team that people rarely leave, we'd love to hear from you.
Contact Details:
Think Specialist Recruitment Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Assistant in St Albans
✨Join Financial Networking Events
Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.
✨Utilise Temp Agencies Specialised in Finance
Reach out to temp agencies that focus on the banking sector. They often have strong ties with various firms and can help you secure short-term gigs that can help beef up your CV and get your foot in the door at firms like Think Specialist Recruitment.
✨Connect with Alumni from Your Uni
Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.
✨Stay Active on Job Boards and Company Websites
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards specifically for finance roles. Companies like Think Specialist Recruitment might post temporary positions directly on their sites, so make sure to apply there too. Set alerts to catch those roles the moment they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Assistant in St Albans
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at Think Specialist Recruitment will be keen to see in your application.
Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at Think Specialist Recruitment. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!
Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give Think Specialist Recruitment confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Think Specialist Recruitment
✨Brush Up on Financial Regulations
Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with Think Specialist Recruitment.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure Think Specialist Recruitment that you’re a reliable team player.
✨Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn
In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.
