Department: Finance
Reports to: Finance Manager
Direct Reports: None
Working Hours: 37.5 hours, Monday - Friday
Contract Type: Full Time, Permanent
Salary: £32k - £38k, depending on experience
In a Nutshell:
* Developmental Management Accounting role
* Play a critical part in month end processes and the core accounting function
* Gain hands-on experience across management accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting and business partnering.
* Fully funded study support for AAT, ACA, ACCA or CIMA, including paid study leave.
* Hybrid working from our head office in Brighton Marina with weekly office attendance.
About Us:
At Neilson Active Holidays, we do things differently. We’re not just about beautiful beaches or mountain air - we’re here to create good energy. Whether it’s windsurfing in Greece, skiing in the Alps, or relaxing by the pool after a morning yoga session, we create holidays that are as active or laid-back as our guests want them to be.
With over 40 years of experience, we’re proud to be the UK’s leading active holiday company. Our passionate team, both overseas and at our Head Office, plays a vital role in delivering exceptional experiences for thousands of guests each year.
Working at Neilson means joining a collaborative, high-energy environment where people, passion, and performance come together. If you love numbers, insights, and helping teams make great decisions, you’ll feel right at home.
About You:
You are a proactive and detail-oriented finance professional looking to develop your career within a fast-paced commercial environment. Whether you're progressing from an Assistant Accountant role or already working towards a professional accounting qualification, you're keen to broaden your experience and build a successful career in management accounting.
You enjoy working with numbers, analysing financial information and helping others make informed business decisions. You take pride in producing accurate work, meeting deadlines and continually looking for opportunities to improve processes.
Most importantly, you're a collaborative team player who is eager to learn, develop new skills and contribute to the success of a supportive finance team.
Role Overview:
Working within our UK-based Group Finance team, you'll support the delivery of accurate financial reporting and play an important role in ensuring the smooth running of the finance function.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to build a long-term career in finance. You'll gain exposure to all aspects of management accounting, including month-end reporting, budgeting, forecasting, balance sheet control, financial analysis and business partnering, while working alongside experienced finance professionals.
As your experience develops, you'll take on increasing responsibility and broaden your commercial understanding, with structured study support available for AAT, ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualifications, including funding towards professional exams, paid study leave and ongoing mentoring.
What You’ll Be Doing
* Supporting the monthly management accounts process, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting.
* Preparing month-end journals, including accruals, prepayments, allocations and asset capitalisation.
* Maintaining balance sheet reconciliations and ensuring controls remain accurate and up to date.
* Assisting with the production of monthly reporting packs and providing financial analysis and insight where required.
* Supporting budgeting and forecasting activities alongside the FP&A function.
* Working closely with Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable to ensure accurate ledger postings.
* Supporting overseas teams with finance queries and month-end accounting activities.
* Assisting with VAT returns and other regulatory reporting requirements.
* Monitoring and analysing the Fixed Asset Register.
* Supporting the annual audit process.
* Assisting with finance projects and continuous improvement initiatives across the department.
* Helping to strengthen financial controls and identify opportunities to improve processes and efficiency.
Skills & Experience:
You’ll be great at this if you are…
* AAT Level 3 qualification or are currently studying towards ACA, ACCA or CIMA.
* Previous experience within a finance or accounting environment, ideally supporting management or financial accounting activities.
* Good understanding of accounting principles and month-end processes.
* Strong analytical and numerical skills with excellent attention to detail.
* Good Excel skills and confidence using finance systems.
* Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines.
* A proactive mindset with a willingness to learn and continuously improve.
* Strong communication skills with the ability to build positive working relationships across the business, including remote teams.
* A collaborative approach and genuine enthusiasm for developing a long-term career in finance.
It’d be a bonus if you…
Experience using SAP ByDesign.
Working knowledge of IFRS or UK GAAP.
Experience using Business Intelligence (BI) tools.
Experience working within a group finance function.
Exposure to overseas entities or multi-currency accounting.
Previous experience within the travel, leisure or hospitality sectors.
Accounts Payable or Accounts Receivable experience.
What's in it for you:
25 days holiday + bank holidays. Option to purchase 5 days holiday as extra.
Auto enrolment into Scottish Widows pension scheme (Employer 4%, employee 5%).
Life Assurance x 2 salary.
Additional partner discounts (OOSC, Osprey, Trek, Snow Centre, Temple Spa etc).
Modern, friendly, casual, upbeat office atmosphere.
Free on-site gym & shower facilities.
Free parking within a 10-minute walk from the office.
Office secure bike storage.
Great office location in Brighton Marina.
Highly preferential holiday deals
Remote working options.
Office kitchen/bar – Coffee & tea making facilities.
Office pool table & darts board.
Team socials and events.
Daily fruit basket.
Free drinks fridge & snacks.
Cycle to work & Tech scheme (salary sacrifice).
We reserve to close this vacancy before the closing date if a suitable candidate is found
Salary description
£32000.00 - £38000.00 per year