Assistant Accountant
Claire House
Wirral, CH63 4JD
Salary
£28,100 to £31,000
Contract
Fixed-Term
Hours
Not specified
Closing date
6 September 2026
6 days left
Job description
Claire House Childrens Hospice helps seriously and terminally ill children live life to the full by creating wonderful experiences and bringing back a...
As an Assistant Accountant at Claire House, you will:
- Support the Accountants with month-end accounting processes, including journals, accruals, prepayments, recharges and departmental reviews.
- Assist with the preparation and maintenance of balance sheet reconciliations and supporting schedules.
- Prepare financial information and analysis, investigating discrepancies and escalating issues where appropriate.
- Support sales and purchase ledger activities, including reconciliations, coding, cost allocations and aged debtor and creditor reviews.
- Maintain the finance contract register and assist with contract expenditure reviews and cost-saving activity.
- Support the Finance Team with general finance administration, controls and audit trails.
- Assist with finance projects and process improvement work.
- Provide support during busy periods and undertake other accounting duties appropriate to the role.
- Provide support with cash counting and reconciliation when required.
The role will work within established procedures and delegated authority, preparing and processing accounting information for review by the relevant Accountant.
1 MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB
To provide accounting support to the Finance Team, assisting with month-end processes, reconciliations, contract management and other finance activities. The role will undertake preparatory and routine accounting work and ensure compliance with the organisation's policies.
2 POSITION IN ORGANISATION
The post holder reports to the Financial Accountant and is part of a small finance team. The role works closely with the Accountants and Purchase Ledger Assistant to support the effective operation of the finance function.
The post holder may provide support to volunteers involved in finance activities, including cash counting and preparation, when required.
3 SCOPE OF JOB
Support the Accountants with month-end accounting processes, including journals, accruals, prepayments, recharges and departmental reviews.
Prepare supporting information for balance sheet reconciliations, financial analysis and management reporting, escalating discrepancies and issues to the appropriate Accountant.
Provide support across sales and purchase ledger activities, contract management, finance administration and ad-hoc finance projects.
4 DIMENSIONS & LIMITS OF AUTHORITY
The role will work within the laid down procedures and delegated authority. The post holder will prepare and process accounting information for review by the relevant Accountant and will escalate complex or unusual matters as appropriate.
5 QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS LEVEL
Experience of working in an accounts department, with practical experience of accounting processes.
Knowledge and understanding of basic accounting principles, including accruals, prepayments, journals and reconciliations.
Computer literate, with good knowledge of Excel and experience of computerised finance systems, preferably SAGE 50.
Good planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage deadlines and prioritise workloads.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with colleagues across the organisation.
Display initiative and the ability to work independently while recognising when to seek guidance.
Good interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues and departments.
Commitment to Claire House and its corporate objectives.
A belief in the value of volunteers and of a multi-disciplinary approach.
Understanding of the importance of confidentiality and the need for accuracy in financial information.
Month End & Management Accounts Support: (30%)
o Prepare accrual and prepayment workings for review by the relevant Accountant.
o Prepare and post agreed month-end journals in accordance with finance procedures.
o Prepare monthly departmental recharge and cross-cost workings.
o Assist with departmental month-end reviews and the preparation of supporting information.
o Investigate discrepancies identified during the month-end process and escalate issues where appropriate.
o Ensure allocated month-end tasks are completed accurately and within agreed deadlines.
Balance Sheet Reconciliations & Financial Analysis: (15%)
o Assist with the preparation and maintenance of selected Balance Sheet reconciliations.
o Prepare supporting schedules and information for Balance Sheet accounts.
o Assist with analysis of income and expenditure transactions, identifying unusual or unexplained movements.
o Work with departments and the Accountants to investigate and resolve coding or transaction queries.
Contract Management & Cost Saving: (15%)
o Gather contracts and agreements from departments and maintain an accurate finance contract register.
o Maintain records of contract values, expenditure and renewal dates, ensuring information is kept up to date.
o Monitor contract expiry and renewal dates and liaise with relevant departments as required.
o Assist the Accountants with contract expenditure reviews and cost-saving work.
o Identify potential areas for review and provide supporting information to the Accountants.
Sales & Purchase Ledger Support: (15%)
o Assist with sales and purchase ledger reconciliations and related analysis.
o Assist with cost allocations and coding, investigating queries with departments where required.
o Assist with aged debtor and creditor workings and reviews.
o Provide cover for the Purchase Ledger Assistant during annual leave or other periods of absence.
General Finance Administration & Controls (10%)
o Complete credit checks as required and in accordance with finance procedures.
o Monitor and respond to queries received through the accounts ticking system.
o Assist with maintaining accurate finance records, supporting documentation and audit trails.
o Follow finance procedures and controls and highlight any issues or inconsistencies to the appropriate Accountant.
Projects & Ad-hoc Financial Support: (10%)
o Assist the Financial Accountant and Accountants with finance projects and process improvement work as required.
o Prepare financial information, schedules and analysis to support finance projects.
o Provide support during busy periods, and undertake other accounting duties appropriate to the role.
Cash Handling & Volunteer Support: (5%)
o Provide cover for volunteers involved in cash counting and preparation when required.
o Assist with cash counting, reconciliation and preparation in accordance with finance procedures.
This job description does not attempt to describe all the tasks and responsibilities of the post, but rather illustrates with examples, the main role of the post-holder. It is therefore subject to alteration and development as and when required.
Subject to a standard level criminal records check.
We are looking for someone with
- Experience of working in an accounts department, with practical experience of accounting processes.
- Knowledge and understanding of basic accounting principles, including accruals, prepayments, journals and reconciliations.
- Good working knowledge of Excel and experience of computerised finance systems, preferably SAGE 50.
- Good planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage deadlines and prioritise workloads.
- Good numerical and analytical skills, with excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- The ability to work effectively as part of a team and on your own initiative.
- The ability to investigate issues and recognise when to seek guidance.
- An understanding of the importance of confidentiality.
- A commitment to Claire House and its objectives.
- A belief in the value of volunteers and a multidisciplinary approach.
An AAT qualification or equivalent, or evidence of working towards an appropriate accounting qualification, would be essential, alongside experience of balance sheet reconciliations, contracts, cost analysis or cost-saving activity.
- 27 days annual leave (with additional bank holidays) Pro-Rata.
- Pension scheme (NHS pension scheme available to active members).
- Life cover.
- Free access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and counselling services.
- Free car parking.
- Free eyesight tests.
- Opportunity for hybrid working upon completion of the probationary period.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in an accounts department
- Experience of computer-based accounting systems
- Practical experience of accounting processes, including journals, accruals, prepayments or reconciliations
- Good working knowledge of Excel
Desirable
- Knowledge of SAGE 50 or similar finance system
- Experience of balance sheet reconciliations
- Experience of working with contracts, cost analysis or cost-saving activity
- Knowledge of VAT and basic VAT rules
- Cash handling experience
- Knowledge of Charity VAT reliefs and exemptions
Qualifications
Essential
- AAT qualification or equivalent, or working towards an appropriate accounting qualification Educated to GCSE standard A-C Grades (must include English and Maths)
Desirable
- Evidence of ongoing learning and development in accounting or finance
Personal Attributes/Abilities
Essential
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team and on own initiative
- Reliable and excellent timekeeping and attendance records
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to investigate issues and know when to seek guidance Understand the importance of confidentiality
Skills
Essential
- Good IT skills, particularly Excel
- Good numerical and analytical skills
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate, both verbally and in writing
- Good organisational skills and the ability to meet deadlines
How to apply
Applications are handled entirely by the employer on the original advert. We do not collect CVs, supporting statements or application data.
Provenance
Source
NHS Jobs
First seen
28 August 2026
Last checked
31 August 2026
Salary, closing date and description are taken from the employer's advert. The original advert always takes precedence.
About the employer
NHS organisation
This listing was structured from NHS Jobs. Vacancy details and the application process remain the responsibility of the original source.
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