Assistant Accountant

Benefits to you:

• Health Cash Plan (Including Medical/Dental/Online retail discounts)
• Life Insurance
• 25 days holiday FTE, increasing with length of service up to a maximum of 30 days
• Celebration leave
• Option to purchase additional annual leave (up to 10 days per annum)
• Employer Pension
• Employee Assistance Program with Health Assured
• Cycle to work scheme
• 50% discount on nursery fees
• Refer a friend scheme
• Day camps discounts: 1 week free and 1 week at 50% per child per annum
• Campsite and activities discounts at YMCA Fairthorne Manor

Job Purpose

The Assistant Accountant is a key role in supporting the Finance Team to deliver accurate, timely, and well‑controlled financial information. The role is responsible for core accounting activities across the general ledger, month‑end close, and balance sheet management, alongside oversight of Accounts Payable. The post also includes line management of the Accounts Assistant, ensuring transactional processes operate efficiently and to a high standard in support of the Charity’s operational and strategic objectives.

Duties & Responsibilities

Financial Accounting & Month‑End

• Prepare and post month‑end journals, including payroll journals, accruals, and prepayments.
• Support and contribute to the month‑end process, ensuring deadlines are met and entries are accurately recorded.
• Maintain responsibility for all balance sheet reconciliations, investigating and resolving reconciling items promptly.
• Ensure balance sheet integrity by proactively identifying risks, errors, or unusual movements.

Accruals, Prepayments & Fixed Assets

• Prepare and maintain accruals and prepayments schedules, ensuring appropriate monthly recognition.
• Manage the fixed asset register, including additions, disposals, depreciation postings, and periodic reviews.
• Ensure fixed asset accounting complies with internal policies and accounting standards.

Accounts Payable & Receivable

• Provide day‑to‑day line management of the Accounts Assistant, ensuring invoice processing, supplier statement reconciliations, and payment runs to ensure processes operate efficiently and accurately.
• Support Accounts Receivable activities, including posting receipts and responding to internal and external queries.

Reporting, Controls & Improvement

• Provide ad‑hoc analysis, cost tracking, and support for internal reporting and finance projects.
• Assist with audit preparation, including balance sheet support and responding to auditor queries.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of finance processes, systems, and documentation.
• Act as a key point of contact for finance‑related queries from internal stakeholders.

Person Specification & Key Competencies

• A genuine enthusiasm for the work and values of the charity. At all times working within the YMCA Way.
• Strong attention to detail with a methodical approach.
• Ability to manage workload and prioritise effectively.
• Confident enough to ask questions and challenge constructively.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage positively with non‑finance colleagues.
• Ability to learn new systems and processes quickly.

Qualifications/Experience

• Part or fully qualified ACCA/ACA/CIMA
• 1–3 years’ experience in financial accounting or audit support.
• Understanding of general ledger principles, reconciliations, and financial processes.
• Advanced Excel skills (e.g. formulas, lookups, pivot tables).
• Experience with NetSuite or similar ERP is desirable.
• Charity or not‑for‑profit experience advantageous but not essential.

Successful applicant will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure via Disclosure and Barring Service.

We are an equal opportunities charity with commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion in the workplace. A copy of this policy will be made available on request.

Please apply now for this rewarding position and be part of an amazing charity who continue to support and achieve wonderful things within the community.

Please apply now for this rewarding position and be part of an amazing charity that continues to support and achieve wonderful things within the community.

The successful applicant must undertake an Enhanced Disclosure via Disclosure and Barring Service.

We are an equal opportunities charity with a commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion in the workplace. A copy of this policy will be made available on request.