Accounting Technician

About the Role

JJ Burke Car Sales is seeking an Accounting Technician to provide technical accounting support to the accountant, with a particular focus on vehicle accounting. The successful candidate will prepare vehicle trading and profitability analysis, stock valuations and reconciliations, and support the preparation of management accounts, budgets, forecasts and year-end audit schedules.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly vehicle trading reports showing stock movements, sales, gross profit and margins by vehicle, vehicle category and department, explaining significant movements to the accountant and management.
• Analyse vehicle sales profitability, including acquisition costs, preparation and repair costs, trade-in discounts, commissions and demonstrator transactions.
• Investigate material differences between forecast and actual vehicle margins and prepare explanations for review.
• Prepare month-end vehicle stock valuations and supporting accounting schedules, including analysis of aged stock, vehicles in transit, demonstrators and unresolved stock differences.
• Prepare reports and forecasts on stock turnover, vehicle profitability, cash requirements and working capital to support purchasing, pricing and stock decisions.
• Reconcile vehicle stock records, sales records and relevant general ledger control accounts, investigating exceptions and proposing corrections for the accountant’s approval.
• Review non-routine transactions, including trade-ins, vehicle buy-backs and self-supply, identifying accounting discrepancies and referring proposed accounting treatments or tax queries to the accountant.
• Review and test controls over vehicle purchasing, stock movements and sales, recommending and assisting with improvements to accuracy and the audit trail.
• Assist with monthly management accounts, departmental budgets and financial forecasts, ensuring vehicle accounting figures are supported by accurate records.
• Prepare year-end schedules, financial information and explanations for internal reviews and the external audit.
• Resolve accounting queries within the scope of the role and escalate technical matters to the accountant.
• Work with the Accounts and Sales teams and management to support month-end procedures, maintaining confidentiality and undertaking related duties consistent with the Accounting Technician role.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Accounting Technician qualification or part-qualified accountant status, supported by relevant qualification or professional examination records.
• Sound knowledge of double-entry bookkeeping, reconciliations and accounting principles.
• Relevant experience in accounting or finance, including financial reconciliations, reporting and investigation of discrepancies.
• Strong Excel skills and confidence using accounting systems.
• An analytical and methodical approach, with strong attention to detail.

Ability to prepare clear supporting