Job Description
AES Experiential Learning and Living are a leading provider of educational support services and student accommodation in London. We are a family run business and our staff are a huge part of that culture. We are looking for the right person to join this growing business!
Role Summary
We are seeking a proactive, hands-on Financial Controls Accountant to strengthen day-to-day financial control, compliance, and balance sheet integrity during a period of continued growth and operational change. This role plays a key part in ensuring robust financial processes across the business, with responsibility for payroll oversight, VAT, statutory compliance, and balance sheet governance. The role will work closely with existing finance team members across Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and operations, providing control, review, and support while driving efficiency through strong Excel capability and process improvement.
The successful candidate will be a self-starter with a strong grasp of double-entry accounting, confident working in detail, and motivated to improve how things are done rather than simply maintaining the status quo.
Key Responsibilities
1. Financial Control & Balance Sheet Integrity
Own the integrity of the balance sheet across all entities.
Perform and review monthly balance sheet reconciliations, including resolution of historic or legacy balances.
Review, prepare, and post journals, ensuring correct double-entry treatment and supporting documentation.
Ensure month-end and year-end financial positions are accurate, complete, and auditable.
2. Payroll, VAT & Statutory Compliance
Take responsibility for oversight and control of the in-house payroll process.
Review payroll reconciliations and ensure accurate posting to the general ledger.
Ensure ongoing compliance with HMRC requirements (PAYE, NIC, pensions, statutory submissions).
Prepare and/or review VAT returns, ensuring accuracy, correct treatment, and timely
submission.
Maintain a compliance calendar covering all statutory and regulatory deadlines.
3. Day-to-Day Financial Controls
Act as a key control point within the finance function, ensuring policies and procedures are followed.
Maintain clear audit trails and supporting schedules for key balances.
Identify control weaknesses or process gaps and implement practical improvements.
Support audit preparation and respond to audit queries efficiently.
4. Accounts Payable & Receivable – Control & Support
Support and review Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable activities to ensure accuracy and consistency.
Assist with clearing aged or complex debtor and creditor balances.
Review allocations, postings, and reconciliations for correctness.
Act as a point of escalation for complex queries or historic issues.
5. Reporting, Excel & Process Improvement
Use advanced Excel skills to improve efficiency in reconciliations, reporting, and analysis.
Build and maintain schedules, models, and templates that reduce manual effort and errors.
Support cash flow forecasting and analysis through accurate underlying data.
Continuously look for opportunities to automate, streamline, and improve finance processes.
6. Business & Growth Support
Support the finance setup and control framework for new business divisions, including the
Aparthotel operation.
Work closely with the Head of Finance to prioritise risks, controls, and improvements.
Provide reliable financial information to support operational and strategic decision-making.
Key Skills & Experience
ACA / ACCA / CIMA qualified or part-qualified, or equivalent hands-on experience.
Strong understanding of double-entry accounting and balance sheet mechanics.
Proven experience in financial control, reconciliations, and compliance.
Solid knowledge of payroll processes, VAT, and HMRC requirements.
Advanced Excel skills (e.g. pivot tables, lookups, reconciliations, data analysis).
Experience using accounting systems such as Sage 200 (or similar).
Comfortable working in detail while keeping sight of the bigger picture.
Personal Attributes
Self-starter who takes ownership and follows issues through to resolution.
Naturally curious and hungry to make things better, not just maintain processes.
Practical, hands-on approach suited to a growing, non-corporate environment.
Strong attention to detail with a clear sense of accountability.
Confident working collaboratively across finance and operational teams.
Desirable Experience
Experience in hospitality, student accommodation, serviced apartments, or multi-entity
businesses.
Exposure to system implementations or finance process transformation.
Internal audit, controls, or risk-focused background.
Benefits
Training & development
Opportunity to progress within the company
Work life balance
Mental Health and Well-Being provider
Staff discount schemes
Opportunity to work for a great family owned business
Generous Holiday allowance
Cycle to work scheme
Holiday Buy-back scheme
Toastie Tuesday
Employee assistance programme
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £38,000.00-£45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Additional leave
Company events
Company pension
Cycle to work scheme
Employee discount
Enhanced maternity leave
Enhanced paternity leave
Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in London WC1N 3LA
Role Summary
We are seeking a proactive, hands-on Financial Controls Accountant to strengthen day-to-day financial control, compliance, and balance sheet integrity during a period of continued growth and operational change. This role plays a key part in ensuring robust financial processes across the business, with responsibility for payroll oversight, VAT, statutory compliance, and balance sheet governance. The role will work closely with existing finance team members across Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and operations, providing control, review, and support while driving efficiency through strong Excel capability and process improvement.
The successful candidate will be a self-starter with a strong grasp of double-entry accounting, confident working in detail, and motivated to improve how things are done rather than simply maintaining the status quo.
Key Responsibilities
1. Financial Control & Balance Sheet Integrity
Own the integrity of the balance sheet across all entities.
Perform and review monthly balance sheet reconciliations, including resolution of historic or legacy balances.
Review, prepare, and post journals, ensuring correct double-entry treatment and supporting documentation.
Ensure month-end and year-end financial positions are accurate, complete, and auditable.
2. Payroll, VAT & Statutory Compliance
Take responsibility for oversight and control of the in-house payroll process.
Review payroll reconciliations and ensure accurate posting to the general ledger.
Ensure ongoing compliance with HMRC requirements (PAYE, NIC, pensions, statutory submissions).
Prepare and/or review VAT returns, ensuring accuracy, correct treatment, and timely
submission.
Maintain a compliance calendar covering all statutory and regulatory deadlines.
3. Day-to-Day Financial Controls
Act as a key control point within the finance function, ensuring policies and procedures are followed.
Maintain clear audit trails and supporting schedules for key balances.
Identify control weaknesses or process gaps and implement practical improvements.
Support audit preparation and respond to audit queries efficiently.
4. Accounts Payable & Receivable – Control & Support
Support and review Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable activities to ensure accuracy and consistency.
Assist with clearing aged or complex debtor and creditor balances.
Review allocations, postings, and reconciliations for correctness.
Act as a point of escalation for complex queries or historic issues.
5. Reporting, Excel & Process Improvement
Use advanced Excel skills to improve efficiency in reconciliations, reporting, and analysis.
Build and maintain schedules, models, and templates that reduce manual effort and errors.
Support cash flow forecasting and analysis through accurate underlying data.
Continuously look for opportunities to automate, streamline, and improve finance processes.
6. Business & Growth Support
Support the finance setup and control framework for new business divisions, including the
Aparthotel operation.
Work closely with the Head of Finance to prioritise risks, controls, and improvements.
Provide reliable financial information to support operational and strategic decision-making.
Key Skills & Experience
ACA / ACCA / CIMA qualified or part-qualified, or equivalent hands-on experience.
Strong understanding of double-entry accounting and balance sheet mechanics.
Proven experience in financial control, reconciliations, and compliance.
Solid knowledge of payroll processes, VAT, and HMRC requirements.
Advanced Excel skills (e.g. pivot tables, lookups, reconciliations, data analysis).
Experience using accounting systems such as Sage 200 (or similar).
Comfortable working in detail while keeping sight of the bigger picture.
Personal Attributes
Self-starter who takes ownership and follows issues through to resolution.
Naturally curious and hungry to make things better, not just maintain processes.
Practical, hands-on approach suited to a growing, non-corporate environment.
Strong attention to detail with a clear sense of accountability.
Confident working collaboratively across finance and operational teams.
Desirable Experience
Experience in hospitality, student accommodation, serviced apartments, or multi-entity
businesses.
Exposure to system implementations or finance process transformation.
Internal audit, controls, or risk-focused background.
Benefits
Training & development
Opportunity to progress within the company
Work life balance
Mental Health and Well-Being provider
Staff discount schemes
Opportunity to work for a great family owned business
Generous Holiday allowance
Cycle to work scheme
Holiday Buy-back scheme
Toastie Tuesday
Employee assistance programme
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £38,000.00-£45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Additional leave
Company events
Company pension
Cycle to work scheme
Employee discount
Enhanced maternity leave
Enhanced paternity leave
Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in London WC1N 3LA
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Financial controls Accountant position is now open for candidates interested in the Accountant Jobs sector. This role in London offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Accountant Jobs is a plus.
