what is an accounting assistant?
In the role of accounting assistant, your job is to support the finance department on a daily basis with tasks related to ongoing bookkeeping and accounting, while also regularly reporting to the finance or accounting managers. You need to make sure you handle your tasks efficiently so that the entire department's work runs smoothly without any obstacles. To do this, you need to have knowledge of the company's accounting principles and policies for financial reporting and accounting. As an accounting assistant, you can work in many different industries and sectors. This includes companies with their own accounting or finance departments, as well as working as a consultant at an accounting firm.
accounting assistant jobswhat does an accounting assistant do?
As an accounting assistant, you need to be well-organised and good at planning your time and workday, as you will be handling many different tasks at the same time. It is also important to be detail-oriented and have a good eye for troubleshooting, since reports and accounting documents need to be accurate and correct.
Your role as an accounting assistant will involve some basic bookkeeping and accounting tasks. For example, as an accounting assistant, it is your job to handle bank reconciliations and ongoing expenses by entering the supporting documents into the software used for the company’s accounting. This is to ensure that the company’s accounts are up to date and accurate. You will also work with accounts receivable and/or accounts payable, invoice management, as well as perform reconciliations for accounts related to the ledgers.
You also keep track of monthly forecasts and the company’s various budgets, and report to managers in relevant departments. Some accounting assistants also communicate and interact with the human resources department to prepare salaries each month. Others may also interact with the sales and purchasing departments to issue invoices to customers, pay supplier invoices, as well as send reminders and perform credit checks. An accounting assistant may also need to prepare tax returns and VAT reports, as well as ongoing reports, often on a monthly, quarterly, and yearly basis, to the Tax Agency.
Would a career as an accounting assistant suit you? Getting to work with numbers, reports, reconciliations, and accounting? Then read on to find out what responsibilities are involved, what the salary level is for the role, and what skills and qualifications are required to succeed as an accounting assistant.
average salary as accounting assistant.
How much you earn as an accounting assistant can vary quite a lot. The average salary for an accounting assistant is between 27,000 and 37,000 kr per month. There are many factors that can affect the salary for an accounting assistant, including what education and employer you have as well as where in the country you work. Some accounting assistants work at large companies and therefore have a lot of responsibility as part of the finance department at that company. Other accounting assistants work as consultants at an accounting firm which in turn has many different companies as clients.
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which aspects affect the salary as an accounting assistant?
Since accounting assistant is a job needed in many different industries and sectors, it can be a job that involves certain salary differences. This is mainly due to responsibility, where some accounting assistants have a broader responsibility for the entire financial reporting, reporting, and analysis. Other accounting assistants have more administrative roles and spend most of their workday entering various vouchers into the bookkeeping. Accounting assistant is a good entry-level job that means you learn more about the financial management in the company, which in turn gives you good opportunities to advance to more responsible roles and in this way also get better and higher pay.
There are also external factors that can affect the salary for accounting assistants. Those who work at a large company, especially one located in one of Sweden's biggest cities, are likely to have a better chance of getting a higher salary. For the accounting assistant who works at a smaller company and in a smaller town, the general salary level is often lower. At the same time, some industries have guidelines and traditions of paying higher salaries than others.
As an accounting assistant, you can also work both in the private business sector and in public administrations, for example at various government agencies. This is another factor that can affect how much an accounting assistant earns in salary.
different roles as an accounting assistant.
In the role of accounting assistant, you generally handle ongoing accounting and bookkeeping, but it is also possible to specialize in specific roles within the finance department:
- Accounts payable and accounts receivable: Some accounting assistants have a specific responsibility for accounts payable and accounts receivable. When it comes to accounts receivable, you track revenue and incoming cash flow, as well as issue invoices and manage the supporting documents for the invoices. In some cases, you need to follow up on unpaid invoices and send reminders to customers. In this role, you also keep an eye on the company's possible debts and installment plans.
- Economic planning: As an accounting assistant, you are involved in the company's economic planning. You also help your employer investigate various potential investments to find those that are most suitable for improving the company's economic growth and expansion.
- Risk assessment and risk management: As an accounting assistant responsible for risk assessment and risk management, you will assist other accountants in monitoring and developing the company's investment portfolio. Your job is to evaluate and assess both risks and opportunities. With your help, the employer should be able to make more informed decisions, to take advantage of opportunities and manage potential risks.
- Cash flow management: An accounting assistant can also help financial managers control the company's cash flow. This job involves monitoring and evaluating the company's liquidity.
working as an accounting assistant.
The job as an accounting assistant and the tasks involving bookkeeping and accounting require you to be detail-oriented, have a good sense for numbers and be thorough, but also to have an organized side in order to handle many ongoing and parallel tasks. Below you can read more about the responsibilities and duties that await in the role of accounting assistant, as well as who your colleagues are and what the work environment is like in such a role.
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areas of responsibility and tasks
Some common tasks in the role of accounting assistant are:
- Supporting department managers and company management: Your job is to support the chief financial officer and more senior accountants in their tasks. You help prepare financial reports and assist with budgeting and strategic financial planning. In some cases, your duties include more administrative tasks, such as scheduling meetings with potential investors on behalf of the chief financial officer.
- Carry out administrative and office-related tasks: In your role as an accounting assistant, your duties include office-related and administrative tasks, such as sorting financial documents, making copies, and organizing various files for your managers. You will also need to collect and enter financial data into spreadsheets and accounting software. It is important that all information is up to date so that the financial reporting can be accurate.
- Preparing financial reports: As an accounting assistant, you use accounting principles and techniques to prepare the company's reports and financial statements. You prepare the reports under the guidance and supervision of the financial managers, and your job includes handling the ongoing bookkeeping, such as recording receipts and invoices in the accounting software. Your job is also to carry out checks and double-check the bookkeeping to ensure there are no errors or gaps before closing the books.
- Assist with audits: As an accounting assistant, you are involved in regular audits and you ensure that the company's accounting system aligns with the financial policy and existing regulations. You handle matters related to the financial policy and the procedures used. If you work under an internal auditor, you will also review the decision and the accounting to ensure that it is correct.
- Preparing the budget: In your role, you will also assist the finance team in planning the budget and other related preparations. For example, this may involve preparing lists of the company's expenses and sources of income, which then serve as a basis for discussions in meetings. In addition, you may need to make assessments and help with calculations in the budgeting process.
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work environment
As an accounting assistant, you can find jobs in many different companies and industries. It can be anything from construction and civil engineering companies to manufacturing industries, public authorities, and private accounting firms.
Many companies need help with their finances and accounting assistants are a versatile job that often plays an important role in companies. Regardless of the industry in which you work as an accounting assistant, you will spend most of your workday indoors, in an office environment. Many employers prioritize giving their employees the right conditions to be able to do a good and efficient job, including ergonomic desks and chairs.
As an accounting assistant, you often work in a finance department, close to other accountants, and it's not uncommon for this department to sit together, sometimes separated from other departments.
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your colleagues
It completely depends on which industry you work in, but as an accounting assistant your colleagues can include, among others, accountants, controllers, chief financial officers or project managers. But since accounting assistant is an important job, you will also be in contact with company management. It is not uncommon for an accounting assistant to work closely with an auditor, financial analyst, data scientists, product managers and data analysts.
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work schedule
It is possible to find both part-time and full-time jobs as an accounting assistant, but for full-time accounting assistants, a 40-hour work week is often standard.
The starting point is often the usual office hours between 8 am and 5 pm, but since the financial work that a finance assistant does is not always time-bound, it is often possible to have some flexibility in your work. Some employers, for example, allow you to take compensatory leave, work overtime when needed, and work from home remotely on certain days of the week.
For many accounting assistants, business travel is not common, but some accounting assistants work as consultants at accounting firms and in those cases, visiting the company's clients may be part of the job.
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future prospects
Since accounting assistant is an entry-level job, it is also a good first step in your career. Various jobs related to finance, financial planning, and bookkeeping exist and will continue to exist in many industries.
An accounting assistant is a good first role, as you learn a lot about the entire financial process and gain the necessary work experience to move on and work in accounting and become eligible for other roles with more responsibility. For example, you can become an auditor, provided you continue your studies and become certified. You can also take on a more leading or managerial role, such as chief financial officer. There are several different career paths you can take, but a job as an accounting assistant is a good start in the financial field.
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benefits of finding a job as an accounting assistant via randstad
There are many advantages to finding an open job as an accounting assistant through Randstad.
- various development and career opportunities
- an experienced contact person who can help you when needed
- many job vacancies in your area
- full-time or part-time work depending on the job/assignment
Do you want a job as an accounting assistant? A temporary position or substitute job as an accounting assistant is often a good first step towards a permanent position. Those who have work experience as an accounting assistant are more likely to be considered for other roles. Every year, many people get a permanent job with employers thanks to a temporary job that has come through us at Randstad. In addition, many companies recruit their permanent employees directly through Randstad.
education and qualifications as an accounting assistant.
As an accounting assistant, you rarely need extensive work experience, since it is an entry-level job with many different tasks. However, there are educational qualifications that are relevant for the employer.
- Degree: A post-secondary education in economics, business administration or accounting can be relevant for an accounting assistant and is something that employers value highly. There are many different types of education, but those who have a degree in the field of economics will have good opportunities for a career and job as an accounting assistant.
- Upper secondary education: Some accounting assistants have practical skills, but limited academic qualifications. However, already at the upper secondary level, it is possible to study the economics program, with courses including business administration, to gain a basic theoretical knowledge. Since accounting assistant is not a job with specific educational requirements, this may be enough to get a job in some cases, but often some practical experience and knowledge are also required.
knowledge and skills.
As an accounting assistant, you need the following knowledge and skills.
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mathematical ability
A skilled accounting assistant needs to be good at mathematics and have a head for numbers. You will need to make quick calculations and ensure they are correct. With strong mathematical ability, it is also easier for you to check financial documents and supporting materials.
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communication skills
As an accounting assistant, you work closely with many different people in an organization. Therefore, it is important to be communicative and objective in your presentations to make yourself understood. Being a good team player is also important in order to collaborate with others.
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planning ability
In the role of accounting assistant, you will need to handle many tasks at the same time. This requires good organizational skills and the ability to plan your workday well, so you don't get stressed, make mistakes, and can meet the deadlines that have been set.
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an eye for detail
Having a good eye for detail is important to ensure that the financial documentation is accurate. Even the smallest mistake in financial reporting can cause major problems. Someone who is detail-oriented will have an advantage when it comes to finding errors in accounting and spreadsheets during the actual reporting process.
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computer skills and computer knowledge
Many companies use accounting software and various programs for day-to-day bookkeeping. This means that someone with good computer skills and experience is likely to do better in the role of accounting assistant. It is not required to have experience with the same programs or software, but good computer skills make it easier to learn.
frequently asked questions about the role of accounting assistant.
Here are the most frequently asked questions about working as an accounting assistant.
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what is an accounting assistant?
An accounting assistant is a role that exists to support other accountants and accounting managers in the same department with administrative and office-related tasks. The job of an accounting assistant includes helping with financial accounting and reporting.
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what are the responsibilities of an accounting assistant?
As an accounting assistant, you handle ongoing bookkeeping and accounting to ensure that all financial information is current and up to date. You work with accounts receivable and/or accounts payable, invoice management, periodic summaries, and assist in the strategic planning and budget preparations within the company.
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what education do you need to become an accounting assistant?
There is no specific educational requirement to become an accounting assistant, but those with educational qualifications in the field of economics will have a better chance of getting a job as an accounting assistant. This can include both post-secondary and upper secondary studies. Practical experience with economic tasks is also a merit and can make it easier for you to be considered for a job.
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what is the next step after becoming an accounting assistant?
Accounting assistant is an entry-level job that does not directly require any specific education or work experience, but some form of upper secondary education with a focus on economics is good to have as a foundation. The role is also a good starting point for those who want to continue working in the same field. Depending on the company's organization, the industry you work in, and the needs that exist, it will be possible to take several different career steps after you have worked as an accounting assistant for a period. It is always an advantage to have work experience when applying for other jobs and roles within the field of economics.
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how do I apply for an open job as an accounting assistant?
It's easy to apply for a job as an accounting assistant. Search among our available jobs in your area. Then submit your CV and your personal letter or apply via LinkedIn
If you need help with your job application, you can read all our job tips here!
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further reading about the role of accounting assistant
Here you can find more information about the role accounting assistant
watch jobs for finance assistant.
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