As an Apprentice Accountant you will be responsible for preparing invoices, checking statements and preparing tax returns as well as providing Accounts Support within the office.  You will also be helping and supporting clients remain financially compliant, whether that’s as individuals or companies.

Scope of the Role

You will be part of a high-performing team tasked with preparing and examining financial records, assuring information is up to date and accurate.  Your duties will include:

  • Preparing accounts and tax returns;
  • Preparing basic Vat returns and submitting these on a clients behalf
  • Auditing financial information (where applicable);
  • Preparing analysis of nominal accounts;
  • Consider tax planning services with reference to current legislation;
  • Managing your own workload and deadlines;
  • Completion of bank reconciliations;
  • Understanding and preparing sales, purchase and wages control accounts; and
  • Keeping clients up to date with their business’s performance.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential:

  • Self-motivation;
  • Integrity;
  • Ability to reflect on one’s own work as well as the wider consequences of financial decisions;
  • Business acumen and interest;
  • Organisational skills and ability to manage deadlines;
  • Teamworking ability;
  • Communication and interpersonal skills;
  • Proficiency in IT;
  • Analytical ability;
  • A methodical approach and problem-solving skills;
  • High level of numeracy;
  • Basic knowledge of Xero/cloud technology; and
  • Basic Excel skills including formulas.

Desirable:

  • Experience of Xero and Iris software;
  • AAT qualification (2 or 3);
  • Experience of working in practice; and
  • Microsoft Word skills – able to format and produce a professional document.
Core Requirements
  • Building and maintaining effective relationships within Nicholsons Accountants;
  • Supporting fellow employees;
  • Ensuring your knowledge is kept up to date and relevant using CPD time; and
  • Engendering a positive and professional working environment that encourages quality staff to join Nicholsons Accountants and develop within the business.
Measures
  • Understanding of double entry accounting;
  • Ability to calculate accrual and prepayment adjustments;
  • Recognition of fixed assets and depreciation policies;
  • Analysing a bank/reconciling using software;
  • Preparing a basic VAT return – excluding partial exemption;
  • Preparing a small set of sole trader or partner accounts;
  • Basic knowledge of personal and businesses taxes;
  • Preparing simple income tax returns and understanding income tax comparisons;
  • Basic knowledge of business taxes including capital allowances;
  • Achieving deadlines;
  • Communicating effectively with your manager; and
  • Working to a standard of 93% chargeable working hours and 85% recovery rate on work completed.
How to apply

Please send (by email) the following:

  • A CV
  • Covering letter [telling us how you meet the above person specification]

Send to Hannah Walker at Nicholsons Chartered Accountants: hannah.walker@nicholsonsca.co.uk

Communication is at the heart of what we do, and if you are successful in being invited to interview, but unsuccessful in the process overall, we will give you feedback if you ask us to.