Assistant Accountant

About us

Lock Stock Self Storage is the largest container storage company in the UK. We are a modern, dynamic and growing business operating across multiple sites, providing storage solutions to a wide range of customers.

We are looking for an experienced Assistant Accountant to take ownership of management accounting and core finance processes across six group companies.

The role combines essential day-to-day transactional finance responsibilities with management accounting, financial analysis and project work.

Based at our Denbigh Head Office and working within a small team, you will prepare accurate and timely management information, support month-end and year-end reporting, analyse financial performance and maintain strong control over the underlying ledgers, customer collections, banking and payment processes.

A typical day will involve ensuring core financial transactions are accurately processed and controlled, including posting bank receipts, Direct Debit and recurring card collections, customer deposit refunds and other banking activity. Alongside this, you will support the preparation of management accounts, analyse financial performance, maintain key balance-sheet schedules and contribute to finance projects and process improvements.

This is a hands-on role for someone who can take a clear brief, establish what is required and carry the work through to a reliable conclusion with limited supervision. You will be expected to investigate issues, make sensible decisions within agreed parameters and provide useful financial insight, while recognising when a material or unusual matter genuinely needs escalation.

We are also looking for someone who is proactive and naturally curious, with the confidence to question inefficient processes, suggest practical improvements and help streamline the way the finance function operates as the business continues to grow.

• Prepare monthly management accounts information and supporting schedules across the group, ensuring balances are complete, accurate and ready for review within agreed deadlines.
• Complete month-end ledger reviews, reconciliations, accruals, prepayments and journals, investigating unusual movements and resolving issues before submission.
• Process and allocate daily receipts from group bank accounts, Direct Debit collections and recurring card-payment systems, ensuring transactions are posted accurately and promptly.
• Own customer collections through automated Direct Debit and recurring card-payment systems, including preparing and submitting collection runs, allocating receipts, monitoring failures and rejections, arranging re-presentment or follow-up action, and reconciling collections to customer accounts and bank receipts.
• Analyse actual performance against budget, forecast and prior periods, identify material variances and provide clear explanations to support management decision-making.
• Manage day-to-day banking across the group, including online banking administration, cash positioning, bank reconciliations, payment controls and the resolution of banking queries.
• Own the sales ledger, including allocation of customer receipts, control account reconciliations, aged debt review and the timely resolution of account queries.
• Manage purchase payment runs across the group, checking that invoices and approvals are complete, maintaining appropriate segregation of duties and ensuring suppliers are paid accurately and on time.
• Process and control customer refunds
• Chase outstanding company credit-card receipts from cardholders, check that supporting documentation is complete and post the transactions accurately and promptly into Sage.
• Prepare and liaise with external accountants to review relevant tax returns, and maintain accurate supporting records in line with statutory deadlines.
• Maintain strong financial controls and accurate accounting records across all six companies, identifying issues and recommending practical improvements.
• Prepare and maintain short-term cash-flow forecasts for the group, using current ledger information and known commitments to identify funding requirements and emerging risks.
• Maintain key balance-sheet and finance schedules, including intercompany balances, fixed assets, hire-purchase commitments and other areas allocated by the CFO.
• Prepare financial analysis, site costings and information required for budgets, forecasts, business plans and other management projects.
• Take ownership of agreed finance projects and…