Assistant Accountant

Location: Leeds (Hybrid – 2/3 days in the office)

Salary: £27 - £32K (DOE)

Due to continued growth and expansion, we seek a highly motivated, detail-oriented Assistant Accountant. Reporting to the Finance Manager, the successful candidate will assist with day-to-day financial operations and ensure accuracy and compliance with accounting standards.

About the Company

Cognisys is a leading cybersecurity company specialising in Penetration Testing, GRC Consulting, and Managed Security services. We pride ourselves on our customer service, forward-thinking approach, and commitment to excellence. Our small but mighty team works with some of the best-known companies in the world and covers over 30 countries worldwide!

About the Role

An exciting opportunity for a motivated and detail-oriented Assistant Accountant to join our dynamic, fast-paced cybersecurity business has arisen. This role offers the chance to contribute significantly to the company's growth. The successful candidate will play a key role in managing financial transactions, supporting the finance team, and ensuring the smooth running of the company’s accounting processes.

The ideal candidate will bring previous experience in an accounting role with specific knowledge of sales/purchase ledgers, bank reconciliations, accruals, and credit control. Your high level of accuracy and attention to detail will be invaluable in this role. We’re looking for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is unafraid of change. Your ability to think creatively to solve financial challenges will set you apart.

This position offers a clear path for career progression, with opportunities to advance to a Management Accountant role. Additionally, you will actively mentor and support our Finance Assistant, fostering their professional development and ensuring efficient financial operations.

As a self-starter with a strong desire to learn and grow, you will be a valuable addition to our team. Your ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and clients will also be key to this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in preparing monthly management accounts, including accruals, prepayments, and variance analysis.
• Perform bank reconciliations and ensure accurate maintenance of financial records.
• Process invoices, expenses, and payments, ensuring compliance with company policies.
• Assist with budget preparation and financial forecasting.
• Support in preparing VAT returns and liaise with tax authorities when necessary.
• Assist in the completion of balance sheet reconciliations.
• Provide financial analysis to support decision-making within the business.
• Work closely with other departments to ensure financial processes are adhered to.
• Assist in internal and external audits by providing necessary documentation and explanations.
• Contribute to process improvements and efficiency within the finance department.
• Accurately process supplier invoices and employee expense claims across multiple international locations.
• Generate, verify, and issue multi-currency client invoices, ensuring accuracy and compliance with contractual agreements.
• Monitor outstanding invoices, follow up on payments, and effectively manage the debtors’ ledger.
• Reconcile supplier statements, investigate discrepancies, and ensure prompt resolution.
• Conduct regular bank reconciliations to maintain accurate financial records.
• Identify and resolve discrepancies between bank statements and internal records.
• Assist in the preparation of monthly management accounts and financial reports.
• Support financial reporting processes, ensuring precise record-keeping for audit purposes.
• Provide payroll data, including absences, bonuses, and tax considerations for employees based internationally.
• Reconcile monthly credit card statements and expense reports in accordance with company policies.
• Ensure timely and accurate entry of financial transactions while adhering to international financial regulations and company policies.
• Maintain well-organized and up-to-date financial records and documentation.
• Assist with internal and external audits, liaising with auditors as required.
• Support the finance team with tax compliance across different jurisdictions.
• Provide administrative support to the finance team and assist with ad-hoc finance tasks as needed.

Requirements

• ACCA/CIMA part-qualified (Desired)
• At least 2-3 years of experience in a Finance or Accounting role.
• Knowledge of accounting software (e.g. Sage, Xero, QuickBooks).
• Strong numerical skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Proactive and able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• High level of integrity and commitment to maintaining confidentiality.

If you think you can deliver but don't match the criteria above, please don't be put off. We are very open-minded and focus on ability and attitude above skills.

What We Offer

• A dynamic and supportive work environment where customer care and innovation drive everything we do.
• A dedicated budget for your professional development.
• EMI Employee Share Schemes provide the opportunity to share in the company's success.
• Access to an Employee Wellness Hub supported by Kara Connect for health and well-being resources.
• Frequent team social events and celebrations.
• 22 days holiday rising to 25, plus a birthday holiday.
• Refer a friend bonus scheme, up to £2,000!

Why Join Us?

At Cognisys, you will be part of a collaborative and innovative team that values your input and shares support. You'll have the opportunity to work on challenging projects that make a real impact on our clients. We'd love to hear from you if you want to challenge, lead and innovate!

We're not just about the work; we're about the people. Join a team where innovation is celebrated and your contributions are valued. We foster a collaborative environment where fresh ideas thrive and professional growth is encouraged.

Applications

Please feel free to reach out to Dom, our Head of Talent Acquisition, if you would like any further information, to discuss accessibility requirements, or if you require this information provided in an alternative format – hiring@cognisys.co.uk

We welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds and can make various reasonable adjustments to accommodate individual needs.

NO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES, PLEASE