Accounts Assistant
Also advertised as: Accounts Assistant, Accounts Payable Clerk, Bookkeeper, Credit Controller, Finance Administrator, Finance Assistant
Processes invoices, payments and reconciliations and supports the monthly accounts.
What the job involves
Accounts assistants keep the money records straight. You raise and match invoices, chase payments, reconcile bank accounts and help close the month. It is the standard entry point into finance and pairs naturally with AAT study.
Typical responsibilities
- Process purchase and sales invoices
- Reconcile bank and supplier statements
- Chase overdue payments
- Support month-end close
- Maintain accurate finance records
Common employers
- Accountancy practices
- Manufacturers
- Retail head offices
- Charities
- Councils
Pay, hours and working environment
Typical pay
£21,000 – £26,000 a year
With experience
£28,000 – £34,000 a year
Typical hours
37.5 hours, busier at month end
Working environment
Office based
Remote working
hybrid
Demand for this work
steady
Pay ranges are indicative guidance drawn from advertised UK vacancies and published careers information. They are not an offer, and actual pay varies by employer, location and experience.
Skills and qualifications
Core skills
- Numeracy
- Accuracy
- Spreadsheets
- Accounting software
- Organisation
Transferable skills you may already have
- Cash handling
- Attention to detail
- Working to deadlines
Requirements employers ask for
- Numeracy
- Accuracy
- Spreadsheets
- Accounting software
- Organisation
- GCSE maths and English grade 4 or above
Useful but not essential
- Cash handling
- Attention to detail
- Working to deadlines
- AAT Level 2 or 3
- Level 3 Assistant Accountant apprenticeship
Helpful qualifications
- AAT Level 2 or 3
- Level 3 Assistant Accountant apprenticeship
Ways into this career
A degree is only one route. Where an apprenticeship, work-experience or qualification route exists, it is listed here alongside the academic option.
Apprenticeships and work-based routes
- Accounts or Finance Assistant (Level 2)
- Assistant Accountant (Level 3)
- Experience route — Build evidence in a related role, then move across using your recorded achievements.
- Apprenticeship route — An apprenticeship lets you earn while you train towards this role.
Degree and college routes
- Related subject: Accounting
- Related subject: Business
- Related subject: Maths
Where this career can lead
next
Assistant Accountant
next
Management Accountant
next
Finance Manager
The good parts and the hard parts
What people enjoy
- Clear study route through AAT
- Every organisation needs finance
- Good hybrid availability
What people find hard
- Deadline pressure at month end
- Repetitive processing work
Common questions
- Do you need a degree to become a accounts assistant?
- No. As well as degree routes, this career can be entered through an apprenticeship or by building experience and qualifications on the job. not_required
- How much does a accounts assistant earn in the UK?
- Typical advertised pay runs from £21,000 to £26,000 a year, rising towards £34,000 with experience. Figures are indicative guidance rather than an offer.
- What skills transfer into this career?
- Skills that transfer well include Cash handling, Attention to detail, Working to deadlines.
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Where this information comes from
- National Careers Service
- Institute for Apprenticeships
Last reviewed 14 September 2026.
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