With offices across the South West, Burton Sweet has developed into a regional centre of excellence, assisting businesses, charities and individuals with their financial needs. Our offices are friendly places to work that mix experienced members of staff with fresher faces. We’re looking to grow our team to enhance the services we can provide, as well as encouraging our existing team to broaden their expertise.
Charity Accounts Assistant
Location: Bristol office
Employment type: Full-time (35 hours)
We are seeking an Accounts Assistant to join our charity team. This role is ideal for someone looking to assist senior accountants in maintaining accurate financial records and ensuring compliance with accounting standards.
Candidates for this role should have at least 2-3 years of accounts production experience, including posting journal adjustments to trial balances and formatting accounts. Charity accounts experience is preferred but not essential, as this can be developed in the role. AAT level 3 or 4 is also preferred.
The role will include:
Charity accounts preparation
- Drafting year-end accounts, extended trial balances, and basic financial statements under supervision
- Reconciliations – Perform bank and ledger reconciliations to ensure accuracy
- Compliance – Ensure documentation meets regulatory and firm standards
- Client communication – Liaise with clients for missing information and clarify queries
Independent examination
- Compliance review – Help ensure accounts align with charity law and governing documents
- Report preparation – Draft working papers and contribute to examiner’s report
- Support examination process – Assist in reviewing transactions, checking documentation against ledgers etc.
- Basic checks – Verify completeness of records and perform simple reconciliations
This role would be a perfect stepping stone leading toward professional qualifications such as AAT (level 3 or 4), ACA or ACCA.
Skills & competencies
- Understanding of accounting principles and financial statements.
- Strong analytical skills and attention to detail for testing and identifying discrepancies
- Effective communication, both written and verbal (raising issues, liaising with clients)
- Proficiency in Excel and comfortable using accounting or audit software (e.g. QBO, Xero)
- Good teamwork, readiness to learn, and ability to meet deadlines under supervision
- Good organisational and time management skills
- Desirable to hold a full UK driving licence, with access to a car
- Must hold the right to work in the UK
Benefits
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Flexible working arrangements to promote work-life balance
- Structured professional development support within a recognised training practice
- Study support for qualifications, including exam fees and study leave
- Payment of professional subscriptions relevant to your role
- Employer contribution to pension scheme (4%)
- Supportive and friendly team environment
- Paid annual leave plus additional days for long service
- Employee wellbeing initiatives and social events
- Opportunities for career progression and professional development
If you’re ready to take the next step in your career, we’d love to hear from you!