Assistant Accountant

Assistant Accountant 6 Month Interim Contract | Woking, Surrey (Hybrid) £225–£300 per day (Inside IR35) We’re supporting a well-known multi-site food and consumer goods organisation seeking an Assistant Accountant to join their UK & Ireland finance team on an interim basis. This role provides essential support across utilities, property accounting, VAT, cash control and overhead reporting, playing a key part in maintaining accuracy during a busy trading period. This contract is ideal for someone with strong accounting experience in a fast-paced environment who enjoys a blend of month-end responsibilities, balance sheet ownership and cross-functional interaction.

The Role Working closely with the Assistant Financial Controller, you will be responsible for core accounting activities across the UK and Ireland business units, ensuring accuracy of cost reporting, compliance requirements and financial controls.

• Manage utilities accounting for the UK & Ireland, including accruals, prepayments, variance analysis, and resolving invoice/payment queries
• Complete monthly balance sheet reconciliations and liaise with external energy account managers
• Oversee property-related accounting including rent/rates accruals, prepayments and cost analysis
• Support turnover rent reporting
• Assist with maintaining lease documentation and accuracy within internal systems
• Manage landlord insurance administration
• Prepare and submit UK & Ireland VAT returns, including journals and balance sheet reconciliations
• Support cash control processes: weekly bank/revenue reconciliations and processing customer refunds
• Maintain SOX compliance and internal financial controls
• Raise purchase orders and support overhead reporting
• Assist with external and internal audit queries during interim and year-end periods
• Provide ad-hoc support to finance leadership as required

Skills, Experience & Attributes 3+ years’ experience in an Assistant Accountant or similar accounting role Strong organisational skills and excellent attention to detail Comfortable working in a fast-moving, multi-site or consumer-focused environment Strong continuous improvement mindset and ability to work through ambiguous or evolving requirements Confident communicator able to collaborate across finance, property, and operational teams Good overall IT proficiency, including Excel and ERP familiarity

Why Join? This interim role offers the opportunity to join a high-performing finance team within a dynamic, well-recognised consumer brand. You’ll gain broad exposure across UK & Ireland accounting, VAT, utilities, property and SOX compliance, while contributing to the accuracy and reliability of financial reporting during a key trading period.

Apply Now If you’re an experienced Assistant Accountant with strong month-end and reconciliation skills and you’re available at short notice, we’d love to speak with you.