Office Administrator/Receptionist

Location

Colchester

Employment Type

Permanent

Department

Support Team

Description

At Larking Gowen, independence matters. It gives us the freedom to focus on long-term relationships, support our local communities and invest in our people for the future.

We believe great client service starts with great people. That's why we're committed to creating a supportive and collaborative environment where individuals can develop their careers and achieve their potential.

We're nationally recognised for our commitment to work-life balance and believe that successful careers are built in an environment where people feel supported, trusted and able to develop. Whether you're building on existing experience or looking for your next challenge, you'll join a team that values collaboration, professional development and making a difference for clients across East Anglia.

Together, we're helping our clients, communities and people succeed.

This is a pivotal role in the support and development of our business. Working closely with the partners, managers, and members of the team, you will provide support to them on a range of activities from front of house reception, client liaison, administration, compliance, facilities and support.

Responsibilities

Client Service

• Managing and maintaining a professional and welcoming environment, organising meetings and hospitality, maintaining records, setting up new clients on our systems and running compliance procedures such as anti-money laundering. Managing client documentation using a variety of bespoke software packages.
• Helping to manage the client cycle from set-up of new clients to submission of final accounts to Companies House and HMRC. Working with portfolio holders and completing all client procedures and related company secretarial services, management of client critical deadlines.
• Company secretarial services performed for our clients include filing of company confirmation statements, dividend vouchers, company details changes and directorship changes.

Team Support

• Copying, scanning, binding, electronic document filing, compiling standard letters for Companies House and bound accounts to clients.
• Providing administrative support including, receiving and sorting incoming mail and managing all outgoing post and packages utilising the most appropriate means including scanning documents into our electronic document management system
• Electronic filing of accounts and tax returns
• Responsible for arranging internal and external meetings
• Assisting the billing process by sending invoices
• Answering the telephone and dealing with queries from clients, staff, potential clients and other stakeholders.
• Liaising with other teams such as the facilities team, the database team in terms of keeping client information up to date and processing anti-money laundering information, and the marketing team in terms of the administration of business development mailings and events.
• Potential to undertake other tasks and projects as appropriate, including providing reception cover for holidays/sickness at our Ipswich office.

Person Specification

A minimum of English and Mathematics GCSEs (minimum grade C/4) or equivalent academic accreditation.

Essential experience

• Working in a client facing role and motivated to provide an excellent experience to clients, potential clients and other stakeholders.
• Experience of office administration
• The ability to work both independently using own initiative and as a key member of a wider team
• Dealing with internal and external client matters
• Reporting to and working with a management team
• Microsoft packages, including Excel, internet, email and computerised packages and ability to pick up internal systems quickly.
• Due to the nature of the role the candidate must be able to drive and have access to a car.

Personal attributes

• Able to work well as part of a team
• Adaptable and flexible: able to work on a range of different tasks, work under pressure and meet deadlines, work without supervision
• Strong attention to detail and work to a high level of accuracy
• Problem-solving
• Excellent customer service and communication skills, both written and verbal
• Confidence
• Organisational skills and the ability to take the initiative and work in a methodical manner
• Sound judgment to identify and report problems to supervisors and lead on resolving them

Other

• Travel to other offices in East Anglia may be required from time to time, for cover of holiday/sickness and training opportunities.

In return you will have support to establish your career with Larking Gowen at a pace that suits you both personally and professionally. We also offer benefits which include:

• Holiday 24 days plus bank holidays
• Life Assurance
• Pension 5% employee, 3% employer rising with length of service
• Medicash Plan
• Professional subscriptions
• Group Income Protection
• Annual salary review
• Option to purchase PMI

Plus many more!

Requirements

Job Title: Office Administrator/Receptionist

Department: Support Team

Location: Colchester

Working hours: Monday to Friday 37.5 hours per week

Salary: £25,000

Working at Larking Gowen

At Larking Gowen, our people get the very best career opportunities in accountancy and business advice. Whether you're just starting out and you’re looking for an Apprenticeship or Graduate opportunity or you've been working in the business for some time, we'll make sure you get all the support you need to take you to the next step in your career and beyond.

We pride ourselves on being a friendly business that looks after our people and is active in the community. As soon as you join us, you'll be working hands-on, and starting to build your own professional relationships.

Larking Gowen has been around for more than 130 years. We have gone from strength to strength and have built our reputation for loyalty and reliability. We're also forward looking, keeping abreast of change in a fast-moving environment.

Platinum credited training provider

Pension scheme (salary exchange)

Paid professional subscriptions

Rewards for client referrals

Social responsibility and charity support

Social and sports activities

Suggestion scheme and Innovation Fund

Paid holiday and option to purchase additional holiday through salary exchange

Corporate membership providing discounts on theatre and arts

Market Leading MediCash Programme

Employee Assistance Programme

3 x salary Death In Service