Subsidiary Accounts Assistant

Work Location: Brighton & Hove, East Sussex (office based – remote working discretionary post‑probation)

Hours: Full time, Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm (Flexible)

Remuneration: Competitive, dependent on experience (£27,000 – £29,000)

 

Company Description

Paterson Simons & Co (Africa) Ltd is an international trading and logistics organisation operating across Africa through subsidiaries including Pasico Ghana Ltd, Paterson Simons Nigeria Ltd, and Paterson Simons Cameroon Ltd.

Our finance function provides structured, high-quality accounting and reporting support across the group, ensuring strong financial controls, regulatory compliance, and continuous process improvement.

We are committed to developing our people and supporting long-term career progression through training, exposure to complex group accounting, and professional qualifications.

 

Job Description

We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Subsidiary Accounts Assistant to join our Group Finance team.

Reporting to senior finance staff, you will support accounting operations across multiple subsidiaries, gaining experience in accounts receivable, banking, intercompany accounting, ApprovalMax, treasury processes, and year-end reporting.

This is a full-time, office-based role with occasional international travel.

 

Person Profile / Characteristics Required for this Role

This role is well suited to someone building their career in finance who is keen to develop broad international accounting experience within a structured group finance environment.

We are looking for someone who:

  • Has previous experience in an accounts, finance, or office-based role (desirable)
  • Is studying or willing to study towards AAT or a similar accounting qualification
  • Takes pride in producing accurate, well-organised work with strong attention to detail
  • Is confident using Excel and accounting systems (Sage experience desirable)
  • Can manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines with an ability to work autonomously
  • Is proactive, organised, and eager to learn new systems and procedures
  • Communicates clearly and professionally with internal teams and external partners
  • Can build strong working relationships across international teams

 

As a Subsidiary Accounts Assistant you will:

  • Support day-to-day finance operations across group subsidiaries
  • Work closely with internal UK-based finance teams, management, and overseas/ interdepartmental colleagues
  • Maintain accurate financial records and supporting documentation
  • Assist with reconciliations, reporting, and control processes and with the development and improvement of accounting procedures and controls
  • Develop technical accounting skills across multiple systems and entities

 

Tasks and Responsibilities will Include:

Customers & Accounts Receivable

  • Set up customer and supplier accounts in Sage
  • Prepare and enter daily AR invoice and receipt schedules
  • Assist with sales ledger maintenance and credit control
  • Chase outstanding balances and resolve account queries
  • Prepare and distribute weekly trade debtor reports
  • Support trade debtor review meetings and action follow-ups
  • Collect and distribute debtor statements
  • Process ledger offsets as instructed

 

Banking & Cash

  • Prepare and enter daily bank deposit schedules into Sage
  • Process petty cash schedules for multiple locations and currencies
  • Retrieve, file, and review bank statements
  • Perform weekly bank and cash reconciliations

 

TREK

  • Prepare, review, and enter trek return forms
  • Produce and distribute bi-weekly TREK reports
  • Assist with monthly TREK meetings and follow-up actions

 

Intercompany

  • Process intercompany invoices, debit notes, and purchase orders
  • Prepare and reconcile monthly group intercompany balances
  • Produce intercompany offset and adjustment journals
  • Liaise with group finance teams to resolve discrepancies

 

ApprovalMax & Accounts Payable

  • Assist with ApprovalMax rollout, workflows, and reporting
  • Maintain AP request lists and referencing systems
  • Review expense approvals for accuracy and compliance
  • Prepare payment documentation and submit proof of payment
  • Process supplier invoices, payments, and purchase ledger activities
  • Prepare creditor reports and manage supplier queries

 

Year-End & Audit

  • Assist with year-end reconciliations and audit schedules
  • Prepare journal documentation
  • Support responses to auditor queries

 

General & Other Duties

  • Assist with development and implementation of finance procedures
  • Support general ledger maintenance and management accounts preparation
  • Maintain accurate filing systems and audit trails
  • Assist with ISO/QMS documentation and rollout
  • Provide ad-hoc reporting to finance management and directors
  • Attend staff meetings and support continuous improvement
  • Occasional travel to Ghana and Nigeria to liaise with finance teams, banks, and auditors

 

Training & Development

  • Funded AAT qualification (AS & A Level equivalent)
  • Exposure to internal audit processes
  • Structured on-the-job training within group finance

 

How do I apply

Application Process:
Please send a copy of your CV along with a brief summary outlining your interest in the role and relevant experience to: recruitment@patersonsimons.com

Please note: You must be UK based and living in easy commute distance

Interview Location: Brighton & Hove, East Sussex

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Work Location: In person/ Eventual Hybrid