Senior Finance Assistant

We are working with a client who is seeking an experienced Senior Finance Assistant to take responsibility for a broad range of financial, administrative and compliance functions within a well-established organisation in Teesside.

This is a varied role offering responsibility across financial management and reporting, budgeting, payroll and pensions, purchase and sales ledgers, credit control and financial systems. The successful candidate will need strong organisational skills, excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Previous experience within an educational environment would be beneficial but is not essential, with candidates from a commercial finance background also encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Managing purchase ledger, sales ledger and nominal ledger functions.
• Completing monthly bank reconciliations and ensuring financial transactions are accurately recorded.
• Supporting external audits and acting as a key point of contact for auditors.
• Ensuring compliance with relevant financial regulations, including VAT, charity law and Gift Aid.
• Developing and maintaining effective financial policies, procedures and internal controls.
• Monitoring income and expenditure against budgets and reporting significant variances.
• Overseeing payroll and pension administration, ensuring accurate and timely payments and submissions.
• Creating and maintaining supplier and customer accounts and records.
• Reconciling supplier statements and processing monthly BACS payments.
• Managing invoicing, receipts, payment plans and supporting credit control.
• Liaising with customers and debtors regarding outstanding payments.
• Maintaining and managing the financial management system.
• Ensuring purchasing and payment procedures are followed correctly.
• Maintaining the organisation's risk register and supporting wider compliance requirements.
• Maintaining appropriate health and safety records, including risk assessments and incident documentation.
• Liaising with relevant regulatory bodies and supporting statutory reporting where required.

Key Skills & Experience

• Accountancy qualification and/or at least 3 years' relevant financial experience - ESSENTIAL.
• Previous experience within a commercial finance environment.
• Experience within an educational environment would be advantageous but is not essential.
• Good knowledge of accounting procedures and financial entries.
• Experience across purchase ledger, sales ledger and general/nominal ledger functions.
• Understanding of payroll and pension administration.
• Experience with budgeting, financial reporting and reconciliations.
• Strong understanding of financial controls and compliance.
• Good knowledge of VAT and financial regulations.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Experience using financial management/accounting software.

Additional Information

• Contract: Permanent
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm
• Salary: £30,000 - £35,000 depending on experience and qualifications
• Full-time position.
• Previous educational-sector experience is beneficial but not essential.
• The role carries responsibility across finance, payroll, compliance and administration.