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Assistant Accountant Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

An Assistant Accountant, or Accounting Clerk supports a company’s accounting department with their day to day functions by carrying out entry-level accounting duties. Their primary duties include reconciling accounts, managing payroll and preparing financial reports.

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Assistant Accountant duties and responsibilities

An Assistant Accountant supports the financial operations of a company by performing administrative and clerical duties. They are responsible for the accuracy of financial statements and information. Other duties and responsibilities of an Assistant Accountant include:

  • Updating and reconciling financial ledgers
  • Assisting with the preparation of annual budgets for the company
  • Preparing financial documents such as purchase orders and bank statements
  • Verifying company expenses, bank deposits and bank payments
  • Reporting discrepancies, mistakes or potential fraud to senior management
  • Complying with financial laws and regulations alongside in-house policies
  • Keeping their personal accounting qualifications up to date
  • Researching and resolving discrepancies in a timely fashion
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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.

Job description samples for similar positions

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Assistant Accountant job description FAQs

What is the difference between an Assistant Accountant and an Accounting Assistant?

An Assistant Accountant will often require previous accounting experience and relevant qualifications to be employed in the position. An Accounting Assistant is an entry-level job or apprenticeship position that will often require less experience and knowledge as much of the training will be acquired in-house.

Who does an Assistant Accountant report to?

An Assistant Accountant typically reports to an Accounting Manager within an accounting or wider finance department. An Assistant Accountant will also report to a more senior head of the department who reports to a Chief Financial Officer.

How can you make your Assistant Accountant job description stand out?

To make your Assistant Accountant job description stand out, create a job duties section that is performance-based and highlights the measurable impact and specific milestones. Include a work perks section and highlight your company’s awards and industry recognition. You may consider using pictures or images to showcase your company’s culture, or share social network feeds or feature profiles of Talent Ambassadors to give job seekers more information about why they should apply. Also accurately describe the required workload or office hours that come with the actual position.

What should you look for in an Assistant Accountant CV?

A good Assistant Accountant CV makes it clear that the applicant has the relevant accounting qualifications to be considered for the job. It also outlines the candidate’s relevant work experience in previous finance-oriented positions.

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