Assistant Financial Accountant

Overview

We are seeking a dedicated Assistant Financial Accountant to join our finance team to support the Group Financial Accountant in delivering accurate financial reporting, statutory compliance, tax reporting and management information across the Group's international operations. The role is focused on preparing high-quality financial information, reconciliations and compliance returns, enabling the Group Financial Accountant to focus on financial planning, treasury, cashflow management, foreign exchange monitoring and strategic finance initiatives across the Group.

This role, which is based onsite at our HQ in Somerset, offers an excellent opportunity for an ambitious finance professional seeking to develop their technical accounting skills within a growing international manufacturing business. Study support would be available.

The successful candidate will assist with management accounting, VAT/GST compliance, financial reporting, reconciliations and a variety of finance projects, whilst providing additional capacity to support the increasing workload of the Group Finance function.

About the business

Shearwell Data is located at modern premises in Wheddon Cross on the edge of Exmoor, approx 10 miles from Minehead in West Somerset. We are a family run business which has been at the forefront of providing the farming industry with livestock identification products for over 30 years and we are the leading supplier of sheep tags in the UK. We employ over 120 staff in the UK, most of whom work at our premises in Wheddon Cross. We also operate overseas subsidiaries in Australia, New Zealand and USA.

Key Responsibilities of the Assistant Financial Accountant role:

Financial Reporting & Management Accounts

• Assist with the preparation of monthly management accounts including margin and variance analysis.
• Prepare balance sheet reconciliations and investigate reconciling items independently, escalating complex matters where appropriate.
• Update prepayments and accruals
• Stock report review and understanding of variances
• Investigate and resolve financial discrepancies.
• Assist with month-end and year-end reporting processes.

Tax & Compliance

• Prepare UK and overseas VAT/GST returns for review by the Group Financial Accountant.
• Support corporation tax and other statutory reporting requirements.
• Prepare ONS surveys and other routine regulatory submissions.
• Maintain supporting schedules and documentation.
• Ensure compliance records are accurate and up to date.

Group Finance Support

• Assist with intercompany reconciliations and transactions.
• Support overseas subsidiary reporting requirements.
• Assist with audit preparation and responding to auditor queries.
• Support finance projects and process improvement initiatives.

Analysis & Systems

• Prepare financial analysis and reports using Excel.
• Assist with data gathering and validation.
• Support improvements in reporting and finance processes.
• Maintain and develop financial reporting schedules.

General

• Provide support and cover for the Group Financial Accountant as appropriate.
• Undertake ad hoc analysis and projects as required.

Skills and Experience Required

Essential

• AAT Level 4 qualified or actively studying towards ACCA, CIMA or ACA (or looking to recommence studies).
• Previous experience within an accountancy practice or finance function.
• Experience preparing balance sheet reconciliations with minimal supervision.
• Experience of VAT return preparation.
• Ability to manage routine finance responsibilities independently whilst working within an appropriate review structure.
• Strong Excel skills including:
• Pivot Tables
• VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP
• SUMIFS
• Data analysis
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong organisational skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable

• Experience of VAT/GST compliance.
• Audit or accounts preparation experience.
• Experience working with manufacturing, international or group businesses.
• Exposure to Sage accounting systems.

Personal Attributes

• Highly organised and methodical.
• Naturally curious and keen to learn.
• Diligent and accurate.
• Proactive and comfortable taking ownership of recurring finance processes and ensuring deadlines are consistently met.
• Confident working independently whilst knowing when to seek guidance. Enjoys problem solving and analysing data.

If this sounds like you, we would like to hear from you. Please submit your CV along with a covering letter indicating why the role appeals to you and how your experience and skills would suit the role.

Pay: £38,000.00-£42,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• On-site gym
• On-site parking

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Minehead TA24 7AS: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Experience:

• financial accounting: 5 years (required)

Licence/Certification:

• ACCA, CIMA, AAT or ACA qualification (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person