Full job descriptionSenior Finance Officer
Salary: £36,000
Hours: 36 per week
Location: Colchester
Reports To: Finance Manager
Start Date: ASAP
About the Role
An excellent opportunity to join a growing organisation and support the ongoing development of its finance function. Reporting to the Finance Manager, you’ll play a key role in delivering accurate financial operations while contributing to systems development, process improvements, automation initiatives and reporting enhancements.
The role covers transactional finance, reconciliations, month-end accounting, VAT compliance, audit support and finance systems administration. This position would suit someone who enjoys identifying efficiencies, improving processes and embracing technology.
Key Responsibilities
Transactional Finance
*Manage sales and purchase ledger activities
*Raise invoices, credit notes and process supplier invoices
*Manage credit control and supplier queries
*Process expenses and payment runs
Reconciliations & Month-End
*Complete bank and balance sheet reconciliations
*Process accruals, prepayments and journals
*Maintain fixed asset records and depreciation schedules
*Support month-end reporting processes
VAT, Audit & Reporting
*Support UK and international VAT reporting
*Prepare audit schedules and supporting documentation
*Assist with management accounts and financial analysis
*Ensure compliance with financial controls and procedures
Systems & Improvement
*Support finance system development and migration projects
*Identify automation and process improvement opportunities
*Assist with testing, reporting tools and dashboard development
*Support the use of AI and technology within finance operations
General
*Respond to finance queries
*Provide cover for the Finance Manager when required
*Maintain accurate records and GDPR compliance
*Support continuous professional development
Essential Requirements
Qualifications
*AAT Level 4 qualified or equivalent
*Accounting Technician qualification or part-qualified ACCA/CIMA
*Advanced Excel skills including Pivot Tables and XLOOKUP
Experience
*Minimum 3 years’ finance experience
*Sales and purchase ledger management
*Credit control
*Bank reconciliations and month-end processes
*VAT preparation and compliance
*Audit support
*Finance systems experience
*Process improvement initiatives
*Use of automation or AI tools in a finance environment
Skills
*Strong transactional finance knowledge
*Reconciliation and month-end accounting experience
*Excellent attention to detail
*Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
*Excellent communication and organisational abilities
*Ability to work independently
*Strong understanding of financial controls
*Positive, proactive and improvement-focused approach
*Confidence using finance systems and technology
Desirable
*Finance system implementation or migration projects
*Power BI or other reporting/visualisation tools
*Experience supporting finance transformation projects
*Experience working within a changing or growing organisation
*Flexibility to occasionally work outside normal office hours
Why Apply?
*Join a developing finance function
*Gain exposure to systems transformation projects
*Drive automation and process improvements
*Work closely with senior stakeholders
*Broaden experience across finance operations, reporting and compliance
Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.