What does an Assistant Accountant do?
Assistant Accountants are entry-level finance professionals who perform basic accounting duties. Their tasks usually involve conducting office administration, prepping financial records and handling payments. Assistant Accountants may work closely with other employees or as part of a company’s accounting department. They assist with financial audits and often help Senior Accountants analyse and generate reports for management. Assistant Accountants work in either small or large accounting firms across a wide range of industries. They usually work regular business hours during weekdays. They spend most of their workday at a desk working with financial software or transmitting financial information with their Supervisors.
Assistant Accountant skills and qualifications
A successful Assistant Account candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications to that typically include:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Mathematical skills and in-depth knowledge of accounting and budgeting principles
- In-depth understanding of analytics
- Ability to work as a part of a team
- Ability to prioritise work and meet deadlines
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Proficiency with accounting software, such as Xero or QuickBooks
Assistant Accountant experience requirements
An Assistant Accountant must have at least two years of experience working as part of an accounting or financial team in an office environment. Some employers prefer candidates who have prior experience working in an entry-level accounting role, such as Bookkeeper or Accounting Assistant.
Assistant Accountant education and training requirements
Assistant Accountant should have a strong academic background in maths. As a minimum, they must have strong GCSE results in maths and English. A-levels in maths, statistics or business studies is also useful. Candidates can also take an apprenticeship to earn their accounting qualifications, or can do these independently. Popular entry-level accounting qualifications include a Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Accounting or Foundations in Accountancy qualification. A degree is not essential, but it can help a candidate with their career progression. Relevant degree courses include maths, accounting and economics.
Assistant Accountant salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary of an Assistant Accountant in the UK is £26,364 per year. This figure varies depending on factors, including the company, person’s experience and geographical location.
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