What does an Accounts Assistant do in the UK?

Accounting is the 12th most popular industry in the UK.

While mid-level to senior tier roles are in high demand across various UK sectors, junior roles such as accounts assistants are equally sought-after.

If you are a recent finance or maths graduate, or even a college leaver that has studied accounting, there are Accounts Assistant jobs available for eager candidates.

Accounts assistants typically take charge of budgets, invoices, and records, as well as helping across the finance function. It is a great entry-level role for candidates interested in starting a career in accounting.

After speaking to Jermaine Lynch, practice director for Robert Half’s London accounting operations team, here are a few tips and insights into what does an Accounts Assistant do, and what you will need to apply for this role.

Related: How to secure entry level finance jobs

What can an Accounts Assistant expect to do on a day-to-day basis?

Finding out more about what does an Accounts Assistant do is a great starting point for anyone looking to get their accounting career underway.

Jobseekers can expect to work with a diverse range of people doing a variety of tasks across the finance function, which is a wonderful way to get a feel for the accounting sector and identify what future opportunities may suit one’s career interests.

Jermaine explains, “The remarkable thing about an Accounts Assistant role is that there are multiple responsibilities. A typical role would include tasks associated with the roles of the Account Payable, Accounts Receivable and Credit Control, along with bank reconciliations.”

Accounts assistants are also responsible for supporting the Finance Manager with general accounting and admin tasks. Candidates can expect to be responsible for sending and paying invoices, chasing delinquent payments, and answering both internal staff and customer queries. Candidates will also be involved with the documentation and maintenance of the business’ finance procedures.

What can entry-level candidates do to help secure an Accounts Assistant job?

According to Jermaine, “A lot of the candidates we meet usually have a finance and accounting or numerical degrees, however we also meet a lot of school or college leavers that have studied accounting.”

“I can appreciate that trying to secure an entry level role can be difficult, therefore my best advice would be to try and gain some work experience whilst at school, college, or university as this will allow you to get something on your CV.”

Learn more about the role of an Accounts Assistant with Jermaine Lynch

What are the most desirable soft and technical skills for an Accounts Assistant?

As with any job, you need to demonstrate soft and technical skills, depending on what is in demand as the accounting sector grows.

“From a technical skill set perspective it helps to have intermediate Excel skills - don’t worry if you don’t – you can teach yourself on YouTube,” says Jermaine.

“In terms of soft skills, clients love candidates who are enthusiastic and willing to learn – a good Accounts Assistant can roll up their sleeves and get stuck in.”

“Research from Robert Half’s Salary Guide has shown that finance employers are also seeking out skills in finance management, tax, and credit management – so doing a few training courses in these areas would be really handy.”

As you collaborate with financial candidates and clients daily, can you offer us any industry insights?

“A lot of clients are currently hiring and seeking notable talent; however, I do think demand will begin to slow down, so I think it’s important to find a role in a company you see a long-time future with,” says Jermaine.

“Our 2022 Salary Guide revealed that the Accounts Assistant position is one of the top five in demand finance roles for this year, so it’s a great time to start applying.”

Related: To discover the average salary of an Accounts Assistant in your region, you can visit our dedicated Salary Guide page here.

“Hospitality, retail, tech and real estate industries are showing strong demand for finance and accounting roles right now – so focusing on these industries is a good starting point for an accounting career.”

 

You can read Robert Half’s Accounts Assistant job description and search current opportunities in your area here. Alternatively, you can contact us today and talk to one of our accounting recruitment experts to learn more.