Accounts Assistant Job Description
Hire an organised Accounts Assistant to support day-to-day finance operations — processing transactions, maintaining records and helping keep the finance function running smoothly. This template covers typical duties, essential skills and advert copy to help you recruit efficiently.
What does a Accounts Assistant professional do?
An Accounts Assistant supports bookkeeping, invoices, reconciliations and basic financial administration under the supervision of a senior accountant or finance manager.
Accounts Assistant job description template
Use this employer-ready example as a starting point, then replace the placeholders and adjust the content so it accurately reflects your vacancy.
Accounts Assistant
About the role
[Company name] is looking for an Accounts Assistant to join the finance team in [Location]. You will process sales and purchase invoices, reconcile ledgers and support month‑end tasks. This is a [permanent/temporary] role working [hours per week / flexible hours], reporting to the Finance Manager. Experience with bookkeeping, good numeracy and attention to detail are essential. Salary: [insert salary or range].
Key responsibilities
- Process purchase invoices and prepare payments; match invoices to purchase orders and resolve discrepancies.
- Raise and send sales invoices and chase overdue payments where appropriate.
- Post and reconcile bank transactions and maintain petty cash records.
- Reconcile supplier and customer accounts and assist with month‑end creditor/debtor reconciliations.
- Support VAT preparation and maintain VAT records (preparation only unless otherwise stated).
- Maintain accurate ledgers and filing systems, both electronic and paper.
- Support payroll administration where required (timesheet checks, data entry) and liaise with payroll provider.
- Prepare routine journal entries and assist with expense claim processing.
Essential skills and experience
- Good numeracy, attention to detail and accuracy in data entry.
- Experience in a finance or bookkeeping environment (e.g., purchase/sales ledger, bank reconciliations).
- Proficiency with Excel (basic formulas, filters and pivot tables helpful).
- Ability to work to deadlines and manage routine month‑end tasks.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills for dealing with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Right to work in the UK and willingness to complete basic background checks where required.
Desirable
- AAT qualification (any level) or part‑completed bookkeeping/accounting qualification.
- Experience using accounting software (for example Sage, Xero or QuickBooks).
- Previous involvement with VAT returns, payroll administration or basic management accounts.
- Experience working in a similar sector (charity, retail, manufacturing, professional services).
- Familiarity with electronic invoicing and cloud accounting workflows.
What we offer
- Holiday allowance: [placeholder]
- Pension scheme: [placeholder]
- Hybrid working / flexible hours: [placeholder]
- Training and professional development budget: [placeholder]
- Season ticket loan / cycle to work scheme: [placeholder]
How to apply
Apply with your CV and any additional information requested. Make the interview process, closing date and any assessment stages clear where known.
Use this as a starting point rather than a final advert. The strongest version will reflect the real role, salary, location, systems, responsibilities, benefits and working arrangements.
What is an Accounts Assistant role?
An Accounts Assistant performs routine accounting and bookkeeping tasks to support an organisation’s financial record‑keeping. Typical duties include processing sales and purchase invoices, reconciling bank statements and supplier/customer accounts, and assisting with month‑end activities. They work under the supervision of a senior accountant or finance manager and help ensure transactions are recorded accurately and on time.
Contract & hours
Usually offered as full‑time, part‑time or temporary contracts; typical working week ranges from 25–40 hours depending on employer needs and seasonal peaks.
Reporting lines
Typically reports to a Finance Manager, Senior Accountant or Finance Supervisor and works closely with bookkeeping and payroll colleagues.
Day‑to‑day focus
Processing invoices, bank reconciliations, ledger maintenance and supporting month‑end closing and routine VAT tasks.
Progression
Common progression routes include Senior Accounts Assistant, Bookkeeper, Payroll Administrator or studying for AAT qualifications towards management accounting roles.
Typical Accounts Assistant responsibilities
Responsibilities should reflect the real scope of the vacancy rather than every task someone in this profession might ever complete.
Process purchase invoices
Process purchase invoices and prepare payments; match invoices to purchase orders and resolve discrepancies.
Raise
Raise and send sales invoices and chase overdue payments where appropriate.
Post and reconcile bank transactions
Post and reconcile bank transactions and maintain petty cash records.
Reconcile supplier
Reconcile supplier and customer accounts and assist with month‑end creditor/debtor reconciliations.
Support VAT preparation
Support VAT preparation and maintain VAT records (preparation only unless otherwise stated).
Maintain accurate ledgers
Maintain accurate ledgers and filing systems, both electronic and paper.
Support payroll administration
Support payroll administration where required (timesheet checks, data entry) and liaise with payroll provider.
Prepare routine journal entries
Prepare routine journal entries and assist with expense claim processing.
Accounts Assistant skills and experience to look for
Keep the essential list focused on what the person really needs to perform the role. Move useful-but-trainable experience into desirable criteria.
Usually worth prioritising
- Good numeracy, attention to detail and accuracy in data entry.
- Experience in a finance or bookkeeping environment (e.g., purchase/sales ledger, bank reconciliations).
- Proficiency with Excel (basic formulas, filters and pivot tables helpful).
- Ability to work to deadlines and manage routine month‑end tasks.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills for dealing with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Right to work in the UK and willingness to complete basic background checks where required.
Useful where relevant
- AAT qualification (any level) or part‑completed bookkeeping/accounting qualification.
- Experience using accounting software (for example Sage, Xero or QuickBooks).
- Previous involvement with VAT returns, payroll administration or basic management accounts.
- Experience working in a similar sector (charity, retail, manufacturing, professional services).
- Familiarity with electronic invoicing and cloud accounting workflows.
See our guide to what to include in a job advert before publishing.
How to write a Accounts Assistant job advert
Small role-specific details can make the advert much easier for suitable candidates to assess.
Be specific about duties
List the exact ledger responsibilities (AP, AR, bank reconciliations, payroll support) so candidates know the routine tasks they'll own from day one.
State required software level
If you expect experience with particular systems, name them and state whether entry‑level familiarity or advanced use is needed.
Separate essential vs desirable
Keep mandatory criteria to what you truly need (numeracy, basic bookkeeping) and list qualifications or sector experience as desirable to avoid excluding good candidates.
Set clear hours and flexibility
Specify whether the role is permanent/temporary, shift patterns, part‑time hours and any hybrid/homeworking options to reduce unsuitable applications.
Mention training and progression
If you offer support for AAT or professional development, say so — this attracts candidates seeking career progression.
Accounts Assistant salary considerations
Pay for an Accounts Assistant varies across the UK and between sectors. Employers should consider the role’s responsibilities, local labour market and whether the post is temporary, part‑time or includes specialist duties when setting a salary.
depending on experience
- Use a genuine range
- Separate variable pay
- Avoid “competitive” alone
- Match salary to seniority
What Accounts Assistant candidates will want to know
Practical details can influence whether a suitable candidate applies, even when the title and salary are attractive.
Which accounting software will I use?
Candidates will want to know the specific systems and whether training is provided or prior experience is required.
Will I handle payroll or VAT returns?
Clarify whether the role includes payroll processing, VAT preparation or only routine bookkeeping tasks.
What are the working hours and flexibility?
State expected hours, likelihood of overtime and whether hybrid or flexible working is available.
Who will I report to and how large is the team?
Candidates often prefer to know the manager’s role, team size and if they will work closely with other finance staff.
Is training or support available for professional qualifications?
Experienced applicants will ask if the employer sponsors AAT or offers study leave and mentoring for career progression.
Is the role temporary, permanent or fixed term?
Make the contract type clear and state any expected duration, notice periods or potential for extension.
Where to post a Accounts Assistant job
Accounts Assistant roles attract candidates from a wide range of backgrounds, so advertise both on broad UK job boards and finance‑focused platforms. Use local channels (college careers services, community job centres) for entry‑level or part‑time vacancies, and consider LinkedIn, specialist finance groups or recruitment agencies where you need experienced candidates or temporary cover. Decide whether the vacancy should target a local audience or a wider region if you offer hybrid or remote working.
Related finance & accounting job descriptions
Recruiting for a slightly different role? These templates may be a closer fit.
Accounts Assistant job description FAQs
Do Accounts Assistants need formal qualifications?
Formal qualifications are not always required. Employers commonly require good numeracy and bookkeeping experience, while AAT qualifications are often listed as desirable or supported after hire.
Should I advertise as junior or senior?
Base the grade on responsibilities: advertise as junior if the role focuses on basic processing and data entry; advertise as senior if it includes month‑end ownership, reconciliations or supervision of others.
Can this role be part‑time or remote?
Many routine accounts tasks can be done part‑time or remotely, but consider needs for on‑site invoice handling, printing or close collaboration during month‑end when specifying flexibility.
How can I assess numeracy and attention to detail?
Use short accounting or bookkeeping tests, practical data‑entry exercises and targeted interview questions about reconciliation scenarios to evaluate accuracy and approach to errors.
When should I use an agency?
Use recruitment agencies for urgent temporary cover, specialist finance roles or when you need screened, experienced candidates quickly; for entry‑level hires, direct advertising and local colleges may be more cost‑effective.
Ready to hire an Accounts Assistant?
Use this template to create a clear advert, specify essential systems and hours, and decide the best channels for reach. Tailor the duties and requirements to reflect the exact responsibilities in your finance team before publishing.
