Finance Assistant in Eastbourne BN21 – Immediate Start with Recruiting Today

Recruiting Today is recruiting an experienced Finance Assistant for an immediate temporary placement in Eastbourne BN21. This is a fantastic opportunity for a proactive individual to join a respected local organisation, offering an ASAP start, competitive pay, and the potential for ongoing work for the right candidate. If you have a knack for numbers and a keen eye for detail, this Eastbourne-based role could be your next career move.

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Location Eastbourne BN21 Local & surrounding areas

Start Date ASAP Start Available immediately

Pay Rate Competitive Based on experience

Duration Temporary Temp-to-perm possible

Job Description

We are seeking a dedicated and meticulous Finance Assistant to support the accounts team of a thriving Eastbourne-based business. This role is central to maintaining the smooth financial operations of the company, involving day-to-day transactional processing, reconciliations, and providing vital support to senior finance staff. The position has arisen due to increased workload and presents an excellent chance to gain valuable experience within a supportive team environment. The employer values accuracy, integrity, and a collaborative spirit, making this an ideal workplace for a finance professional looking to develop their skills.

By applying for this Finance Assistant role through Recruiting Today, you benefit from our local expertise and established relationships with employers across Eastbourne BN21 and the wider Sussex region. We handle the initial screening and matching process, ensuring your skills are presented to the right opportunity efficiently. Just as we successfully place Data Entry Clerks in Gloucester and Administrative Support Officers in Southampton, we are committed to connecting talented finance candidates with businesses that need their expertise. This role offers a clear path for progression for a candidate who demonstrates commitment and capability.

Key Responsibilities

• Processing purchase invoices, sales invoices, and credit notes with precision and in a timely manner, ensuring all documentation is complete and filed correctly.
• Managing the purchase ledger and sales ledger, including statement reconciliations and resolving any discrepancies with suppliers or customers promptly.
• Preparing and processing weekly/monthly payment runs (BACS/CHAPS) and handling petty cash transactions, maintaining accurate records.
• Assisting with bank reconciliations and month-end closing procedures, supporting the preparation of accruals, prepayments, and other adjusting journals.
• Providing general administrative support to the finance department, which may include filing, scanning, mailing, and responding to basic email and telephone enquiries from internal and external stakeholders.

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience in a similar Finance Assistant, Accounts Assistant, or Bookkeeping role, with a solid understanding of basic accounting principles and double-entry bookkeeping.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs) and experience with accounting software such as Sage, Xero, QuickBooks, or similar.
• Excellent numerical accuracy and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• A proactive, problem-solving attitude and strong communication skills, enabling effective collaboration within a team and professional interaction with external contacts.

Salary & Benefits

This Finance Assistant position offers a competitive hourly pay rate, which will be commensurate with your experience and skills. Pay is processed weekly, providing you with regular and reliable income. In addition to the financial remuneration, the role offers significant non-monetary benefits:

• Immediate Start: Begin earning and gaining experience without a lengthy interview process. We facilitate a swift placement for candidates who are ready to work.
• Local Opportunity: Work within Eastbourne BN21, minimising commute times and contributing to the local business community.
• Career Development: This temporary role has a clear temp-to-perm potential for the right individual. Demonstrating your value can lead to a permanent contract, offering job security and career progression.
• Professional Environment: Gain experience within a structured finance department, enhancing your CV and building transferable skills that are in high demand.
• Supportive Network: Through Recruiting Today, you have access to a dedicated consultant who understands the Eastbourne job market and can offer guidance and support throughout your assignment.

Whether you are looking for a long-term career move or a flexible temporary position to bridge a gap, this role provides a solid foundation. For insights into how temporary roles can transition into permanent opportunities, our resource on Permanent Recruitment outlines the pathways available.

Why Register with Recruiting Today?

As a trusted Eastbourne BN21 recruitment and temporary staffing agency, Recruiting Today connects skilled staff with employers who need them fast. When you register with us you get:

• Competitive pay rates, paid weekly without delay.
• A fast, friendly registration process and ongoing support from a personal consultant.
• Access to a wide range of temporary, part-time, full-time, and temp-to-perm roles across sectors, including construction, healthcare, and warehouse operations.
• A dedicated consultant who understands the local Eastbourne market and can advocate for you.

We operate with transparency and efficiency, much like our approach to placing Forklift Drivers or School Admin staff. Your career move is important to us.

How to Apply

Applying for this Finance Assistant role in Eastbourne is straightforward. To be considered, please ensure your CV is up-to-date, clearly detailing your relevant experience in finance, administration, or bookkeeping. Highlight your proficiency with specific accounting software and any relevant qualifications.

The application process is managed by Recruiting Today. We will review your CV and may contact you for a brief initial telephone screening to discuss your experience and suitability for this and other potential roles in the Eastbourne area. Successful candidates will then be put forward to our client for interview.

Call to Action: If you are interested email your cv and info to [email protected]. Please use the subject line"Finance Assistant Application – Eastbourne BN21" to ensure your application is directed correctly. You can also call our team on +442030869080 for an immediate conversation about this role.

Ready to start? This role is filling fast.

ASAP start · Competitive pay · Eastbourne BN21 & surrounding areas

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Other Immediate Finance Assistant Roles in Eastbourne BN21 Available Now

Job Title	Location	Pay Rate	Apply
Accounts Assistant	Eastbourne BN21	£12.50 - £13.75 p/h	Apply
Purchase Ledger Clerk	Hailsham (near Eastbourne)	£11.80 - £13.00 p/h	Apply
Finance Admin Assistant	Eastbourne BN22	£12.00 - £12.80 p/h	Apply
Bookkeeper (Part-Time)	Polegate	£13.50 - £14.50 p/h	Apply
Sales Ledger Assistant	Eastbourne BN21	£11.90 - £12.90 p/h	Apply
Junior Finance Assistant	Seaford	£10.80 - £11.50 p/h	Apply
Credit Control Assistant	Eastbourne BN21	£12.75 - £13.60 p/h	Apply
Payroll Assistant	Lewes	£13.00 - £14.25 p/h	Apply
Finance & Admin Officer	Bexhill-on-Sea	£12.40 - £13.20 p/h	Apply
Assistant Management Accountant	Eastbourne BN21	£14.00 - £15.50 p/h	Apply

All advertised pay rates are indicative and depend on experience, shift, and client. For the latest roles, always check our Find Jobs page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly does a Finance Assistant do in Eastbourne?

A Finance Assistant in Eastbourne typically supports the finance department with core transactional tasks. This includes processing invoices (both sales and purchase), reconciling bank statements and supplier accounts, assisting with payment runs, and helping with month-end procedures. The role is vital for maintaining accurate financial records and ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the accounts function for local businesses, from retail and hospitality to professional services.

I don't have formal qualifications, but I have relevant experience. Can I still apply?

Absolutely. For many Finance Assistant roles, practical experience and demonstrable skills are often valued as highly as formal qualifications. If you have hands-on experience with bookkeeping, using accounting software like Sage or Xero, or managing ledgers, your application will be strongly considered. We assess candidates based on their overall suitability, including attitude, accuracy, and software proficiency.

How quickly can I start after applying?

This role is for an immediate start. The process is designed to be swift. Once you apply, our team will review your CV promptly. If there's a good match, we'll conduct a quick telephone screening. Successful candidates can be put forward to the client for interview within days, with a start date often agreed within the same week. This efficiency is a hallmark of our on-demand-staffing service.

Is this a temporary role only, or is there a permanent future?

The initial placement is temporary, which offers flexibility for both you and the employer. However, there is a clear temp-to-perm potential. Many of our temporary finance assignments convert into permanent positions for candidates who perform well and integrate successfully into the team. We discuss this potential openly with all candidates during registration.

What are the typical working hours for a Finance Assistant in Eastbourne?

Most Finance Assistant roles in the area follow standard office hours, typically Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm or 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. Some roles may offer a degree of flexibility or part-time hours. The specific hours for this role will be confirmed during the interview process with our client.

Does Recruiting Today offer other types of jobs in Eastbourne besides finance?

Yes, we recruit for a wide variety of roles across Eastbourne and Sussex. We are a multi-sector agency. Alongside finance and admin assistant positions, we frequently have openings for warehouse operatives, drivers, cleaners, and roles in healthcare and construction. Explore our Latest Jobs page to see the full spectrum of opportunities.

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Contact Recruiting Today

Recruiting Today Eastbourne BN21 Region Your local recruitment partner for finance, admin, logistics, and more.

Phone: +442030869080 Email: [email protected] Website: recruitingtoday.net

Recruiting Today is an equal-opportunities recruitment and temporary staffing agency serving Eastbourne BN21 and the surrounding region.

A Day in the Life: Your Role as a Finance Assistant in Eastbourne

To give you a clearer picture of what this position entails, let's walk through a typical day. You'll arrive at a modern office in Eastbourne BN21, where you'll be greeted by a supportive team. Your morning often begins by checking the shared finance inbox, prioritising urgent supplier invoices and customer queries. You might process a batch of purchase invoices into the accounting system, meticulously checking each one against delivery notes and purchase orders to ensure accuracy and correct cost coding. This foundational task is crucial for maintaining healthy supplier relationships and accurate financial reporting.

Mid-morning could involve reconciling a section of the bank statement, investigating any unpresented cheques or unidentified direct debits. This detective work is a key part of the role, ensuring the company's cash position is accurately reflected. After lunch, you may assist a senior colleague by pulling together supporting documentation for month-end accruals or preparing a schedule of prepayments. The afternoon might see you preparing the weekly BACS payment run for authorisation, ensuring all payment details are double-checked. The day often concludes with filing, scanning, and ensuring all digital records are up-to-date, leaving you with a tangible sense of completion and contribution.

Beyond the Basics: Advanced Skills That Set You Apart

While the core responsibilities are outlined above, excelling in this Eastbourne Finance Assistant role often comes down to mastering a few advanced competencies. Here’s what employers in the BN21 area particularly value:

• Advanced Excel for Finance: Beyond VLOOKUPs, familiarity with PivotTables for spend analysis, SUMIFS for categorising transactions, and basic macro recording to automate repetitive tasks is highly sought after. These skills dramatically increase efficiency in reporting and data manipulation.
• Understanding of VAT Returns: Experience in preparing or assisting with the quarterly VAT return is a significant advantage. This includes understanding the difference between standard, reduced, and zero-rated supplies, and ensuring input and output VAT is correctly recorded.
• Credit Control Fundamentals: Proactively assisting with aged debtors reports, issuing polite payment reminders, and liaising with the sales team on customer credit issues demonstrates commercial awareness and adds direct value to the company's cash flow.
• Systems Integration Awareness: Many Eastbourne businesses use integrated systems where the finance software talks to sales order processing or inventory modules. Understanding how data flows between these systems helps in troubleshooting discrepancies and ensures data integrity.

The Eastbourne BN21 Finance Landscape: Where You'll Make an Impact

Eastbourne's economy is diverse, and as a Finance Assistant here, you could find yourself working in a variety of stimulating sectors. Your skills are needed in:

• Tourism & Hospitality: From large seafront hotels to independent restaurants, these businesses require robust finance support for high-volume transaction processing, VAT on diverse supplies, and seasonal revenue tracking.
• Healthcare & Social Care: The many care homes and medical practices in the area need precise financial administration for client billing, funding claims, and supplier payments, often requiring high levels of confidentiality.
• Professional Services: Accountancy firms, legal practices, and marketing agencies in Eastbourne seek finance assistants to manage their own internal accounts, often providing exposure to different client structures and software.
• Retail & Distribution: With several business parks in and around BN21, supporting wholesalers or retailers involves managing inventory-related accounting, high-volume sales ledgers, and logistics cost analysis.
• Education & Not-for-Profit: Schools, colleges, and charities in the region offer finance roles with a focus on restricted funding, grant reporting, and ensuring strict compliance with specific financial regulations.

This diversity means your career as a Finance Assistant in Eastbourne is never stagnant. Moving between sectors can broaden your experience immensely, making you a highly adaptable and valuable professional in the Sussex job market.

How to Prepare for Your Finance Assistant Interview

Once Recruiting Today puts you forward, being well-prepared for the client interview is key. Here are specific, actionable tips beyond the generic advice:

1. Brush Up on Practical Tests: Many employers will ask you to complete a short practical test. Be ready to demonstrate live Excel skills (e.g., using VLOOKUP to reconcile two lists) or process a small batch of mock invoices into a journal. Practice these tasks beforehand.
2. Research the Local Business: Go beyond the company name. Understand what they do, their size, and their market. In interview, you could ask, “How does the finance team support the growth of Eastbourne’s [specific sector]?” This shows genuine interest.
3. Prepare Scenario-Based Examples: Think of specific instances from past roles. For example: “Tell me about a time you found a discrepancy during a bank reconciliation. What was the cause, and what steps did you take to resolve it?” Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your answer.
4. Have Questions Ready: Ask about the team structure, the specific accounting software and version used, what the first month’s priorities would be, and the typical career path for someone in this role within their company.

Your Partnership with Recruiting Today: Support During & After Placement

Our service doesn’t end when you start the role. As your local Eastbourne agency, we provide continuous support to ensure your success and satisfaction.

• Pre-Start Guidance: We provide a detailed brief about the company culture, dress code, key contacts, and what to expect on your first day, alleviating first-day nerves.
• Weekly Check-Ins: Especially during the initial weeks, your consultant will touch base to ensure everything is going smoothly, address any minor queries, and act as a liaison if needed.
• Payroll Advocacy: We ensure you are paid accurately and on time, every week. If you have any questions about your timesheet or payment, you have a direct line to our payroll team.
• Career Pathway Conversations: As your assignment progresses, we’ll discuss your long-term goals. Whether you aim to secure a permanent position with this client, pursue an accountancy qualification (like AAT), or move into a more specialised area like payroll or credit control, we can advise on the local opportunities to get you there.
• Access to Training Resources: We partner with online training platforms and can often point you towards discounted or free short courses to upskill in specific software (like advanced Xero modules) or financial processes, enhancing your employability for future roles.

We are invested in building long-term careers, not just filling immediate vacancies. By choosing Recruiting Today, you gain a proactive partner in your professional journey across Eastbourne and Sussex.