Finance Assistant Jobs in Swindon SN1 | Apply Today
Recruiting Today is recruiting for an experienced Finance Assistant for an immediate temporary placement in Swindon SN1. An ASAP start, competitive pay, and ongoing work for the right candidate. Your next career move in Swindon's finance sector is here.
Email your CV: [email protected]
Finance Assistant Role
Swindon SN1 • Immediate Start
Swindon SN1
Local & surrounding areas
ASAP Start
Available immediately
Competitive
Based on experience
Temporary
Temp-to-perm possible
Finance Assistant Job Description
Recruiting Today is acting on behalf of a prominent, well-established employer in Swindon SN1, seeking a diligent and detail-oriented Finance Assistant to join their team on an immediate temporary basis. This role is pivotal in supporting the finance department's daily operations, offering an excellent opportunity for a candidate with solid bookkeeping and administrative skills to gain valuable experience within a dynamic commercial environment. The position is based centrally in Swindon, easily accessible by public transport and major road links.
Applying through Recruiting Today provides distinct advantages. We streamline the process, offering a fast-track registration that can have you interviewing and starting work within days. Our consultants have deep knowledge of the Swindon SN1 job market and strong relationships with local employers, meaning we can connect you with roles that match your skills and career aspirations, much like we do for Dispatch Operative or Admin Assistant professionals in other regions.
Key Responsibilities & Daily Duties
- Processing Invoices & Payments: Accurately process supplier invoices, employee expenses, and customer receipts. Manage the purchase ledger and ensure all payments are authorised and made within agreed credit terms, maintaining strong cash flow for the business.
- Bank Reconciliation & Reporting: Perform daily and weekly bank reconciliations, investigating and resolving any discrepancies promptly. Assist in the preparation of monthly management accounts, VAT returns, and other statutory financial reports.
- Credit Control Support: Support the credit control function by issuing customer statements, chasing overdue debts via phone and email, and updating the sales ledger to reflect payments received, helping to minimise aged debt.
- Administrative Finance Support: Provide comprehensive administrative support to the finance team, including filing, data entry, maintaining financial records, and handling confidential correspondence. The role requires a high level of organisational skill, akin to that needed for top Admin Assistant positions.
- System & Process Improvement: Utilise accounting software (e.g., Sage, Xero, QuickBooks) to input and extract data efficiently. Identify opportunities to improve financial processes and contribute to the department's overall efficiency.
Essential Skills & Candidate Requirements
To be successful in this Swindon-based Finance Assistant role, you will need a blend of technical accounting knowledge and soft skills. We are looking for candidates who are proactive, trustworthy, and eager to contribute from day one.
- Experience: Proven experience (6+ months) in a similar finance assistant, accounts clerk, or bookkeeping role.
- Software Proficiency: Competence using major accounting packages (Sage 50, Xero, QuickBooks) and MS Excel (VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables).
- Numeracy & Accuracy: Excellent numerical skills with a meticulous eye for detail and a commitment to accuracy.
- Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills for liaising with suppliers, customers, and internal teams.
- Organisation: Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritise workload, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Integrity: A high degree of discretion and professionalism when handling confidential financial information.
- Initiative: A proactive problem-solver who can work independently as well as part of a team.
- Qualifications: AAT foundation level or equivalent is desirable, but relevant experience is highly valued.
Salary, Pay & Benefits
Based on experience, skills, and the specific assignment. Paid weekly.
Reliable, timely payments processed every week without delay.
Accrued holiday pay in line with UK regulations (*pro-rata for temp roles).
Additional Benefits of Working with Recruiting Today
How to Apply for This Finance Assistant Role
The application process through Recruiting Today is designed to be swift and straightforward, getting you in front of the hiring manager for this Swindon SN1 role as quickly as possible.
Submit Your CV
Email your up-to-date CV to [email protected]. Please use"Finance Assistant Swindon" as the subject line.
Quick Registration
Our team will contact you to complete a brief registration, discuss your experience, and confirm your availability for an immediate start.
Interview & Start
We'll arrange an interview with the client. Successful candidates can often start within 48-72 hours of confirmation.
Ready to Apply? This Role is Filling Fast.
Don't miss this opportunity for an immediate start in a rewarding Finance Assistant position in Swindon SN1. Contact us today to begin the process.
Final Instruction: If you are interested email your cv and info to [email protected].
Why Register with Recruiting Today?
As a trusted Swindon SN1 recruitment and temporary staffing agency, Recruiting Today connects skilled finance, admin, and logistics staff with employers who need them fast.
- Competitive Pay Rates: We negotiate strongly on your behalf to ensure you receive a fair market rate for your skills.
- Weekly Pay & Fast Process: Get paid reliably every week. Our registration is streamlined for speed.
- Diverse Opportunities: Access temporary, part-time, full-time, and temp-to-perm roles across finance, admin, and other sectors. Explore all options on our Find Jobs page.
- Local Market Expert: Your dedicated consultant understands the Swindon SN1 job market intimately.
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Play VideoFrequently Asked Questions
For this specific immediate-start role, the process can be very fast. Once you submit your CV and complete our quick registration, we can often arrange an interview within 24-48 hours. Successful candidates have started work within 2-3 days of initial contact, depending on client requirements and your notice period (if applicable). We specialise in on-demand staffing to meet urgent hiring needs.
The client is looking for candidates with at least 6 months of proven experience in a similar finance or accounts role. Key skills include processing invoices, bank reconciliations, and using accounting software like Sage or Xero. While an AAT qualification is beneficial, strong practical experience is highly valued. If your experience is more general administrative support, you might also explore our Admin Assistant opportunities.
This position is initially offered as a temporary assignment to cover an immediate need. However, many of our temporary finance assignments in Swindon SN1 have a strong potential to become temp-to-perm or lead directly to permanent offers for candidates who perform well. The client often uses temporary placements as an extended interview process. You can learn more about this model on our permanent recruitment page.
The specific office location for this role is centrally located in Swindon SN1 and is easily accessible by public transport, with several bus routes stopping nearby and Swindon Railway Station within a reasonable distance. Having your own transport can be beneficial but is not a strict requirement for this particular role. This differs from some logistics roles, like a Forklift Driver or Driver, where a driving licence may be essential.
Our support is comprehensive. You will have a dedicated consultant who is your single point of contact for any questions about your role, timesheets, or pay. We ensure you are paid accurately and on time every week. We also provide guidance on workplace conduct and can assist with career development. Furthermore, we handle all the employer liabilities, such as Employers' Liability Insurance. For a broader view of our ethos, visit our About Us page.
Start Your New Finance Career in Swindon SN1 Today
This immediate-start Finance Assistant role is an ideal step for anyone looking to build or advance their career in finance within the thriving Swindon business community. With competitive pay, a supportive agency behind you, and the potential for longer-term opportunities, there's no need to wait.
Act now: If you are interested email your cv and info to [email protected].
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Recruiting Today is an equal-opportunities recruitment and temporary staffing agency serving Swindon SN1 and the surrounding region. © 2024 Recruiting Today. All rights reserved.
The Swindon SN1 Finance Sector: Your Career Landscape
Swindon’s SN1 postcode, encompassing the town centre and its immediate commercial districts, is a significant hub for finance and professional services in the South West. Home to the headquarters of major national companies, thriving SMEs, and the shared service centres of multinational corporations, the area offers a dense and dynamic job market for finance professionals. A role as a Finance Assistant here is not just a job; it’s a strategic entry point into a network of opportunity.
Typical Career Progression from Finance Assistant
Starting as a Finance Assistant in Swindon can open doors to numerous specialized and senior pathways. The hands-on experience you gain in this role is the foundational currency for advancement within the local market.
Common Progression Routes:
- Specialist: Deepen your expertise in one area, such as becoming a dedicated Purchase Ledger Clerk, Sales Ledger/Credit Control Clerk, or Payroll Administrator. Swindon’s large employers often have dedicated teams for these functions.
- Supervisory/Management: Progress to Finance Team Leader, Assistant Accountant, and eventually Finance Manager. This path often requires further qualifications (AAT Level 3/4, ACCA, CIMA), which many Swindon employers support.
- Systems & Analysis: Leverage your software experience to move into Finance Systems Support or Financial Analyst roles, which are increasingly in demand as businesses digitalise.
Swindon's Commercial Core
A hotspot for finance, insurance, and tech companies.
A Day in the Life: Beyond the Job Description
To give you a genuine sense of the role's rhythm, here’s how a typical week might unfold for a Finance Assistant in a medium-sized Swindon SN1 business:
Weekly Snapshot
Monday - Process & Planning
- Morning: Process a batch of supplier invoices from the weekend post, matching them to POs.
- Afternoon: Run the weekly payment run proposal for authorisation by the Finance Manager.
- Late Day: Respond to supplier email queries regarding payment status.
Wednesday - Reconciliation & Reporting
- Morning: Complete the bank reconciliation for the previous week, investigating a minor discrepancy.
- Afternoon: Assist in pulling data for the monthly management accounts, using Excel PivotTables to summarise departmental spend.
- Late Day: Support the credit controller by sending out a batch of customer statements.
This snapshot illustrates the variety and responsibility inherent in the role, moving beyond simple data entry to active financial stewardship.
Mastering the Tools: Key Software in Swindon Finance Roles
Proficiency in specific software is a key differentiator for Finance Assistants in Swindon. Employers in the SN1 area frequently use the following platforms, and experience with them significantly boosts your employability and efficiency.
Sage 50cloud
The UK's most popular small business accounting software. Crucial for mastering purchase/sales ledger, bank recs, and VAT return preparation.
Swindon Context: Widely used by local SMEs and service businesses.
Xero
The leading cloud-based platform. Focus on automated bank feeds, multi-currency transactions, and seamless collaboration with accountants.
Swindon Context: Favoured by tech startups, creative agencies, and modern SMEs in the SN1 area.
QuickBooks
Another major cloud player. Key features include intuitive invoicing, expense tracking, and integrated payroll.
Swindon Context: Common among sole traders, contractors, and smaller retail businesses.
Even if you are proficient in just one, demonstrating a willingness to learn another is highly attractive to Swindon employers who may be transitioning between systems.
From Temporary to Permanent: A Swindon Success Story
Rebecca T.
Former Temp Finance Assistant
"Recruiting Today placed me in a 3-month temp role. Within 6 weeks, the client offered me a permanent contract."
Career Acceleration Through a Temporary Assignment
Rebecca came to Recruiting Today with 9 months of experience in a small accounts department that had recently downsized. She was looking for a new challenge in Swindon but was unsure if a temporary role was the right step. We matched her with a busy manufacturing company in SN1 that needed immediate cover for a maternity leave.
"The temporary role was the perfect 'try before you buy' for both me and the employer. It removed the pressure of a direct permanent application and let my work speak for itself. My Recruiting Today consultant provided fantastic support throughout."
This case exemplifies how a temporary Finance Assistant position in Swindon SN1 can be a strategic career accelerator, not just a stopgap.
Expert Advice: Thriving in Your New Swindon Finance Role
Making a Strong First Impression: Your First Week
Starting a new role, especially on an immediate temporary basis, can be daunting. Here’s how to ensure you hit the ground running and secure your position:
Document Everything
Carry a notepad. Write down processes, system passwords (securely), key contact names, and deadlines. This shows organisation and prevents repetitive questions.
Prioritise Accuracy Over Speed
In finance, a small error can have large consequences. In your first week, focus on getting things right, even if it takes a little longer. Speed will naturally follow.
Communicate Proactively
If you finish a task, ask for the next one. If you encounter a problem, flag it early with a suggested solution. This demonstrates initiative and a team-player attitude.
Building Your Long-Term Value in Swindon's Market
To transition from a capable Finance Assistant to an indispensable team member, consider these strategies:
- Identify Process Inefficiencies: Once settled, look for repetitive manual tasks that could be automated (e.g., using Excel macros or software features). Proposing a small efficiency gain makes you highly valuable.
- Understand the Business: Go beyond the numbers. Learn what your company does, who its key customers are, and what its seasonal pressures are. This commercial awareness is critical for career progression.
- Discuss Development: After proving your worth (typically 3-6 months), have a conversation with your manager or Recruiting Today consultant about qualifications (like AAT) that the company might support.
- Network Locally: Attend Swindon business or finance networking events. The local professional community is tight-knit, and your reputation as a reliable Finance Assistant can lead to unexpected opportunities.