Accounts Assistant

The Role

Clayton Legal is currently working with a well-established law firm that is looking to appoint a Finance Assistant to join its finance team.

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious and detail-focused individual looking to develop a long-term career within legal finance. You will provide accurate, efficient and timely support across the day-to-day finance function, while gaining valuable experience within a professional legal environment.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to progress within the business, with a clear development pathway towards management level. This will include support to work towards AAT Level 4 qualifications and other relevant professional accreditations.

Key Responsibilities

As Finance Assistant, your responsibilities will include:

• Processing supplier invoices and credit notes in line with firm policies and procedures.
• Allocating receipts, maintaining debtor records and monitoring aged receivables.
• Supporting credit control activities, including polite and professional follow-up with clients and customers.
• Assisting with the resolution of billing queries, escalating issues where appropriate.
• Posting bank transactions and maintaining accurate cashbook records.
• Completing regular bank reconciliations and investigating discrepancies promptly.
• Assisting with petty cash management, reconciliations and associated controls where required.
• Processing staff expense claims and checking supporting documentation.
• Ensuring appropriate VAT treatment and accurate coding to cost centres, matters and projects.
• Maintaining accurate financial records using accounting systems, including LEAP and Xero.
• Supporting processes designed to ensure compliance with the SRA Accounts Rules and the firm's internal financial controls.
• Providing general administrative support to the finance team, including filing, scanning and responding to internal queries.
• Identifying opportunities to improve finance processes, efficiency and accuracy.
• Working within defined procedures and approval limits, escalating discrepancies, control failures, suspected fraud indicators and material errors to the Finance Manager.
• Supporting the Finance Manager with payment scheduling and corrections to postings or coding, with final approval remaining with the Finance Manager.
• Maintaining strict confidentiality and discretion when dealing with client, matter and financial information.
• Ensuring personal and financial data is handled in accordance with UK GDPR, internal policies and information security procedures.
• Undertaking any other reasonable finance-related duties in line with the requirements of the role and wider business.

About You

We are looking for someone who is highly organised, numerate and committed to building a career within finance.

You will ideally have:

• Excellent attention to detail and a high level of accuracy.
• The ability to meet deadlines and manage competing priorities.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and accounting software.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a wider team.
• A proactive and methodical approach to identifying and resolving issues.
• A genuine desire to develop a career in finance management within a legal environment.
• A willingness to undertake relevant qualifications and professional development.

Experience & Qualifications

Essential:

• Strong numerical and organisational skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Confidence using Microsoft Excel and general accounting systems.
• A willingness to learn and develop within a legal finance environment.

Desirable, but not essential:

• Previous experience as an Accounts Assistant, Finance Assistant or in a similar role.
• An AAT qualification, or currently studying towards one.
• Experience within a professional services environment, such as legal or accountancy.
• Previous experience using LEAP, Xero or similar accounting systems.

Key Skills & Competencies

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Integrity and discretion - particularly when dealing with confidential financial and client information.
• Numeracy - with confidence working accurately with financial information.
• Organisation - a methodical approach and the ability to prioritise effectively.
• Attention to detail - ensuring financial records and transactions are accurate.
• Proactivity - taking ownership of tasks and identifying opportunities to resolve issues and improve processes.
• Customer service - a professional and helpful approach when dealing with internal and external contacts.
• Adaptability - willingness to learn new systems, processes and ways of working.
• Teamwork - the ability to collaborate effectively while also working independently.

Career Development

This role offers an excellent opportunity for someone who is serious about developing a career in legal finance.