_{29th October, 2026}

Accounts Assistant
Location:  County Durham
Sector: Finance / Central Services / Civil Engineering
Job Type: Permanent, Salaried

The Opportunity

We are currently recruiting for an Accounts Assistant to join the finance team of an established business based in County Durham.

This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional with experience in bookkeeping, reconciliations and month-end accounting to join a busy department supporting multiple areas of the business.

You will be responsible for maintaining accurate financial records across several companies, supporting monthly reporting activities and ensuring transactions are processed correctly and efficiently. The role will also involve working with joint venture businesses, making it particularly suited to someone who enjoys variety and is comfortable managing financial information across multiple entities.

The successful candidate will have a solid understanding of accounting principles, excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage competing deadlines while maintaining consistently high standards of work.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records across multiple companies.
• Prepare and post journals, including accruals, prepayments and intercompany transactions.
• Raise sales invoices, process customer receipts and ensure payments are allocated correctly.
• Monitor outstanding customer balances and assist with credit control activities.
• Process financial transactions, including receipts, payments and month-end intercompany transfers.
• Complete regular bank reconciliations across multiple entities, investigating and resolving any discrepancies.
• Reconcile balance sheet control accounts and ensure outstanding items are appropriately investigated.
• Maintain accurate intercompany balances and partner loan account records.

Month-End and Financial Reporting

• Support the preparation of monthly management accounts and financial reporting information.
• Ensure accounting entries and reconciliations are completed accurately and within agreed reporting deadlines.
• Investigate inconsistencies within financial records and implement appropriate resolutions.
• Assist with the preparation of VAT return information and contribute to ongoing VAT compliance.
• Ensure financial records are maintained in accordance with relevant accounting standards, internal procedures and audit requirements.
• Maintain clear and complete audit trails to support financial reporting and compliance activities.
• Assist with year-end processes, statutory reporting and external audit requirements.

General Responsibilities

• Handle financial information with a high level of accuracy, professionalism and confidentiality.
• Contribute to the ongoing improvement of accounting processes, systems and financial controls.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the finance department and wider business.
• Provide additional support to the finance team when required.
• Undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the responsibilities of the position.

About You

You will be an organised and motivated finance professional with previous experience in an accounting or finance role, including involvement in month-end processes.
You will have a good technical understanding of bookkeeping and accounting principles, alongside the confidence to investigate discrepancies, maintain accurate records and manage financial information across multiple entities.
This role would suit someone who enjoys working in a varied finance position and is keen to develop their accounting knowledge within a supportive team environment.

Essential Requirements

• AAT qualified or currently studying towards a professional accountancy qualification such as ACCA, CIMA or ACA.
• Previous experience in a finance or accounting position, including responsibility for month-end activities.
• A sound understanding of double-entry bookkeeping and fundamental accounting principles.
• Experience preparing journals, completing balance sheet reconciliations and supporting management accounts.
• Practical experience with bank reconciliations, VAT and intercompany accounting.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas, lookup functions and pivot tables.
• Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining accurate financial records.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to develop positive working relationships.
• A proactive approach to investigating financial discrepancies and resolving problems.
• The ability to work independently while contributing positively to a wider team.

 The following experience would be advantageous but is not essential:

• Previous experience within construction, property development or housebuilding.
• Experience managing accounts for joint venture businesses or multiple legal entities.
• Familiarity with accounting or ERP systems such as COINS, Sage, Microsoft Dynamics or similar platforms.
• Knowledge of the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) and VAT rules relevant to the construction sector.
• Experience supporting year-end audits and statutory reporting requirements.

Skills and Personal Attributes To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:

• Technical ability: A strong understanding of accounting processes and a commitment to maintaining high financial standards.
• Attention to detail: A thorough and methodical approach to financial transactions, reconciliations and reporting.
• Organisation: The ability to manage multiple responsibilities and work effectively to deadlines.
• Problem-solving: Confidence investigating discrepancies, identifying their causes and implementing solutions.
• Initiative: A proactive approach to improving processes and identifying opportunities to work more efficiently.
• Teamwork: The ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues across different departments.
• Professionalism: A commitment to confidentiality, accuracy and consistently delivering high-quality work.

What's on Offer?

• The opportunity to join an established finance team within a varied business environment.
• Exposure to accounting activities across multiple companies and joint ventures.
• The opportunity to develop your technical accounting knowledge and broaden your experience.
• A role involving a range of month-end, reporting, reconciliation and compliance responsibilities.
• Opportunities to contribute to process improvements and the development of financial controls.
• A collaborative working environment that values professional development, accountability and teamwork.

Interested in Applying? If you have experience in finance or accounting, enjoy working with financial data and are looking for an opportunity to develop your career, we would love to hear from you.

Apply today to find out more about this Accounts Assistant opportunity based in County Durham.

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