Accounts Assistant

Location: Remote · Hours: Full time (37.5 hours/week) · Reports to: Finance Manager

About us

We are an intellectual property law firm advising clients on patents, trade marks and related IP matters in the UK and internationally. We are a close-knit team of fee earners, paralegals and support staff, and we are looking for a reliable, well-organised Accounts Assistant to take ownership of the day-to-day finance function.

This is a hands-on role covering the full transactional accounting cycle. You will work alongside our Finance Manager, who will retain responsibility for management reporting, VAT, controls and oversight, while you run the routine ledgers and keep the books accurate and up to date.

Purpose of the role

To process and maintain the firm's sales ledger, purchase ledger, banking and credit control accurately and on time, ensuring fee earners are supported with billing and that suppliers, agents and clients are dealt with promptly and professionally.

Key responsibilities

Sales ledger and billing

• Raise client invoices, including professional fees, disbursements, foreign agent charges and renewal/annuity fees
• Process invoices in multiple currencies and apply the correct VAT treatment
• Post and allocate client receipts
• Resolve billing queries with fee earners and clients

Credit control

• Issue statements and reminders and carry out routine debtor chasing
• Maintain and circulate aged debtor reports
• Escalate problem accounts to the Finance Manager

Purchase ledger

• Process supplier invoices, including foreign associates, renewal providers and general suppliers
• Reconcile supplier statements and resolve queries
• Prepare payment runs (including multi-currency payments) for approval

Banking and reconciliation

• Post bank transactions and carry out regular bank reconciliations
• Assist with client account postings and reconciliation

General

• Maintain accurate, well-documented records in our cloud accounting system (Xero)
• Process staff expenses
• Assist the Finance Manager with VAT return preparation and month-end close
• Provide general finance administration and ad hoc support

Skills and experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience in an accounts, bookkeeping or finance assistant role
• Solid working knowledge of both sales and purchase ledger
• Confident using Xero
• Good Excel skills
• Strong accuracy and attention to detail
• A confident, professional communicator, comfortable chasing payments and liaising with fee earners
• Well organised and able to manage your own workload and deadlines

Desirable

• AAT qualified, part-qualified or studying (study support available)
• Experience of multi-currency transactions and foreign supplier payments
• Experience in a law firm, accountancy practice or other professional services environment
• Familiarity with disbursements and recharges, client account handling, and VAT in a professional services context

Personal attributes

• Discreet and trustworthy, with a clear understanding of client confidentiality
• Reliable and conscientious
• Calm under pressure and comfortable working to deadlines
• A team player who is happy to support colleagues across the firm

What we offer

• Competitive Salary
• Remote working with flexible hours
• Pension scheme
• Study support

Pay: £24,420.00-£39,503.30 per year

Work Location: Remote