The Assistant Accountant at IDBS is tasked with a variety of important financial duties, including weekly bank reconciliations for multi-currency accounts and maintaining the Fixed Assets register. You'll process prepayments and accruals for our global entities and assist in preparing the quarterly VAT returns. Your role will also involve branch accounts preparation for teams in France and Germany, as well as intercompany journal postings and reconciliations. Your efforts will support the Global Management Accountant in ensuring accurate financial reporting.

To qualify for the Assistant Accountant position at IDBS, candidates should ideally have relevant management accounting/reporting experience, particularly in a SaaS environment. An AAT qualification or studying towards CIMA/ACCA is preferred, along with advanced Excel skills and excellent numerical abilities. Experience with computer-based accounting packages, such as NetSuite, is desirable to excel in this role.

IDBS is fully committed to supporting the career development of its employees, including Assistant Accountants. We offer access to training, mentorship, and hands-on experience essential for professional growth. Additionally, you will receive study support for your CIMA or ACCA qualifications, ensuring you have the resources you need to succeed and advance your career in finance.

The Assistant Accountant role at IDBS offers flexibility in work arrangements, allowing for part-time work at our Woking location as well as remote working from home. This flexibility is designed to enable you to achieve a balance between your professional responsibilities and personal life, demonstrating our commitment to creating a sustainable and supportive work environment.

As an Assistant Accountant at IDBS, you can expect a comprehensive benefits package that includes 25 days of annual leave plus public holidays, access to private medical insurance, a competitive ICP bonus, and participation in our Occupational Pension Scheme. Additional perks include free barista-quality coffee and snacks, ensuring you feel valued and supported in every part of your work experience.

When answering this question, emphasize your experience handling bank reconciliations, particularly for multi-currency accounts if applicable. Highlight specific examples where you resolved discrepancies and improved the reconciliation process, showcasing your attention to detail and problem-solving abilities.

Discuss the accounting software you've used in previous roles, particularly mentioning any familiarity with NetSuite, as this is desirable for the Assistant Accountant position at IDBS. Provide examples illustrating how you navigated different platforms and how these tools helped you manage financial records effectively.

To effectively answer this question, share your time-management strategies and organizational skills. Give examples of how you prioritize tasks to meet reporting deadlines, emphasizing any methods you use to ensure accuracy and consistency in your financial reporting practices.

Explain your approach to preparing management accounts, including how you ensure data accuracy and consistency. Discuss any checks you implement, such as reconciliation processes, and how you collaborate with other departments to gather necessary financial information.

Provide a clear explanation of prepayments and accruals, showing a solid understanding of their importance in financial reporting. Discuss your experience recording and managing these entries, highlighting your attention to detail and accuracy in recognizing expenses and revenues in the correct period.

Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to structure your answer. Share a specific situation where you encountered a reconciliation issue, the steps you took to resolve it, and the positive outcome that followed, showcasing your problem-solving skills.

Explain your methods for staying up-to-date with accounting regulations and standards that may impact your role as an Assistant Accountant. Highlight any relevant courses, workshops, or subscriptions to accounting publications that you engage with regularly.

Discuss the importance of teamwork in finance and how you can contribute to a positive collaborative environment. Share specific examples of past teamwork experiences and the value of communication, sharing insights, and supporting colleagues in achieving common financial goals.

Detail any experience you've had with preparing VAT returns, emphasizing your understanding of relevant regulations. Give examples of how your past involvement with VAT returns contributed to accurate financial reporting and compliance.

Discuss your experience with year-end audits and how you prepare for the process. Emphasize your organizational skills, attention to detail, and how you collaborate with auditors to provide necessary documentation and ensure a smooth audit process.