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An Accounts or finance assistant is an integral part of the team responsible for maintaining an efficient and accurate finance function within a business. The Accounts or finance assistant is responsible for assisting the team of accountants with junior accounting duties. These can vary massively depending on the team structure and size of business.
An Accounts or finance assistant’s work could include basic bookkeeping activities, working with sales and purchase ledgers, running calculations to ensure that records and payments are correct, recording of cash and data entry. Accounts or finance assistant can work in almost any sector.
Potential employers include corporate businesses, sole traders, partnerships, Public sector, not-for-profit organisations and educational institutions. Accounts or finance assistant may work in-house for an organisation or they might work for an accountancy firm, bookkeeping practice, Shared Service provider, self-employed or on behalf of several different clients
The broad purpose of the occupation is to support internal and external customers in the administration of their financial and accounting activities. They may work as an assistant accountant in a practice or alternatively within the finance function of an organisation. An assistant accountant helps in the operation of day-to-day financial activities. These may include data entry to month end management accounts and year-end financial statements. In addition, the assistant accountant may find themselves involved in regulatory financial requirements. These may include the completion of VAT returns or assisting in the preparation of tax computations.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to deliver accurate and timely accounts services. This will include their line manager and team members, together with the workers and the clients of the organisation they are managing accounts for. They may liaise with software departments, or houses, where the accounts system is hosted externally.
An assistant accountant will be responsible for managing their own caseload and time whilst reporting to a more senior accountant.
Within the risk and compliance function of a specific organisation, the role of the compliance and risk officer is likely to include providing relatively straightforward support and advice to the business on their specific area(s) of expertise e.g. financial crime, training and competence, fraud; working with the business on specific problems that emerge; analysing data, maintaining records and producing reports; working on review and audits to check that policies are being correctly applied.
The role will require sound ethical standards, together with good communication and influencing skills as there can be differences of opinion between the business and the risk and compliance function on the appropriate action to take. Sound underpinning knowledge of risk and compliance frameworks, policies and procedures will be required. The role may cover compliance or risk functions or be a blend of both depending on the organisation.
Individuals in the role of a Professional accounting or tax technician will have responsibility for creating, and/or verifying and reviewing, accurate and timely financial information within the organisation in which they are employed or on behalf of another organisation. This will be performed in order to meet relevant ethical, professional and legal standards, and will utilise the individual’s knowledge of the business systems and processes, as well as standard accounting and tax practices. This role may exist in an accounting practice, a professional services company, HMRC or the accounting function of a business or other organisation.
Examples of roles as a Professional accounting or tax technician include, but are not limited to, Assistant auditor, Assistant management accountant, Assistant financial accountant, Accounts payable and expenses supervisor, Commercial analyst, Payroll manager, Senior bookkeeper, Senior financial officer, Tax investigations officer, Personal tax assistant and Business tax assistant.
This occupation covers two areas of specialism, accounting and tax. A successful apprentice will have met the core requirements common to both areas and one of the two technical knowledge option requirements. A competent Professional accounting or tax technician, on completion of the apprenticeship standard, will meet the following requirements.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to manage and implement accounting, finance systems and processes that support decision-making in-line with strategy by applying technical and technological knowledge and skills to all aspects of accounting and finance within an organisation. This may include: managing operations of the accounting/finance function; supporting senior management/other departments by providing timely financial information and reports; ensuring compliance with: internal controls, HMRC, legislation, regulations, ethical and professional codes; monitoring the efficient, effective, and economical, working of all systems using the most appropriate technology; problem-solving, making recommendations, and giving advice to internal or/and external clients.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including directors and senior managers, clients and customers, suppliers, lenders, government agencies, auditors, and other professionals. A typical day could include being in an office environment overseeing data entry, control account reconciliations, budgeting and forecasting, trend analysis, monthly, quarterly, yearly reporting, researching and recommending solutions for decision makers. An Accounting and Finance manager will work both independently as well as working in or leading teams. They play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between strategic and operational levels of an organisation by employing a broad range of knowledge and skills: technical, technological, and interpersonal.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for contributing to and implementing business plans and strategy, as decided upon by senior management, as well as managing the systems and operations used to realise them. This involves: overseeing operations, monitoring, analysing, and controlling systems and procedures, ensuring the efficient, economic, and effective use of resources; managing the budgetary process, analysing variances, researching and explaining change, and making recommendations; the monitoring and controlling of cash flows, spotting trends, and forecasting requirements; and will be involved in training and recruiting staff in line with strategy. They will conduct regular and detailed analysis of data and provide regular financial and management information as required by internal and external stakeholders.
In a larger organisation the Accounting and finance manager may report to a finance director (a professional accountant), whereas in a smaller organisation they could be the most senior technical specialist, reporting to a (non-technical) senior manager such as a chief executive. In a professional practice environment, they may report to a senior manager, director or partner.
Typically they will be responsible for the accounting and finance function and oversee the operations thereof. This may mean they lead a team of accounts, finance and tax technicians managing day to day operations as required
Accountancy or taxation professionals are recognised around the world as respected leaders in accountancy, taxation, finance and business. From providing strategic business advice to audited financial statements or driving mergers and acquisitions, a career as an Accountancy or taxation professional can be diverse and challenging; it's not just about putting numbers into a spreadsheet. Accountancy or taxation professionals use technical knowledge, skills and experience to lead organisations and people to make responsible and sustainable financial decisions. They are required to act in the public interest and must therefore maintain the highest standards of professional conduct and competency; upholding ethical behaviour and integrity at all times.
Accountancy or taxation professionals provide financial information and advice to organisations of all types and sizes; from owner managed businesses to multi-national organisations; from private enterprises to public sector institutions, from entrepreneurs to charities. Examples of roles as an Accountancy or taxation professional include, but are not limited to, Financial accountant, Management accountant, Tax accountant, Tax adviser, Tax specialist, External auditor, Internal auditor, Financial analyst, Management consultant, Forensic accountant and Business advisor
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Contact: khft.hrchapprenticeships@nhs.net