* be confident with numbers
* have strong computer skills
* have good communication skills
* be accurate and pay attention to detail
* be able to work to deadlines
* be discreet with confidential information.
Opportunities for accounts assistants exist in accounting practices, commercial and industrial organizations, local authorities, public services like healthcare trusts, and voluntary organizations. Many are self-employed providing bookkeeping services to smaller organizations.
No formal academic qualifications are required, although employers may ask for GCSE/S grades (A-C) in Maths and English. Professional accountancy qualifications are widely available, including NVQs/SVQs from Level 1 to Level 4. Some are recognized internationally. Some posts may require experience of working in a finance office or working with spreadsheets.
Accounts Assistants may progress into an accounting technician role. There are several technician qualifications available, which may count towards a professional accountancy qualification or degree for those wanting to become a Chartered Accountant. Many become self-employed, setting up their own bookkeeping practice.
Accounts Assistants provide administrative support to businesses of all sizes in all industries, both in the public and private sectors. While many work in a central accounting department, some larger organizations place Accounts Assistants within specific business functions, such as marketing or sales, helping to measure expenditure and business budgets.
* keeping financial records of incoming and outgoing payments
* producing and analyzing figures for professional accountants or departmental managers, such as cash-flow statements
*helping to prepare and audit accounts
*raising purchase orders and processing payments
*issuing and checking invoices, receipts and debit/credit notes
*calculating wages and making up wage packets
*completing VAT returns
*checking and processing expenses claims from staff.
Their precise tasks are difficult to define, as duties vary depending on whether they work in a central team or an individual department. Generally, they ensure financial records are accurate and up to date, providing clerical assistance to accounting professionals.
Please note that this is a guide only, rates of pay may vary.
More experienced accounts assistants can earn between £12,000 and £18,000.
A senior accounts assistant can earn up to £22,000.
Career Progression:
There are many opportunities for accounts assistants to progress. One route is to study to become an accounting technician, where they may be responsible for several accounts assistants and a wider area of work. There are several technician qualifications, including those awarded by AAT, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA).
For individuals working towards further study, the UK chartered accountancy bodies and many universities recognize the AAT accounting qualification, and offer exemptions to AAT student members.
ACCA offers a qualification for accounting technicians, the ACCA Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) qualification, which is internationally recognized.
The IFA offers membership at Technician, Associate and Fellow levels. Exemptions from some of its examinations are granted to holders of certain qualifications including those of the IAB.
ACCA Connect (The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), 64 Finnieston Square, Glasgow G3 8DT. 0141 582 2000. Website: www.acca.org.uk
Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT), 154 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1R 5AD. 020 7837 8600. Website: www.aat.co.uk
Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA), Burford House, 44 London Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1AS. 01732 458080. Website: www.ifa.org.uk
International Association of Book-Keepers (IAB), Burford House, 44 London Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1AS. 01732 467132. Website: www.iab.org.uk
OCR Training, Mill Wharf, Mill Street, Birmingham B6 4BU. 0121 628 2950. Website: www.ocr.org.uk.
Pitman Training. 0800 220454. Website: www.pitman-training.com
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