Trainee Retail Accountant

Based at our contemporary head office and distribution centre on the outskirts of Preston, James Hall & Co. Ltd. have been established for over 150 years proudly serving communities across the north of England as supplier and distributor to over 450 SPAR stores.

We are proud to be one of the biggest employers in Lancashire with over 4000 colleagues who represent our core values of passion, enterprise, and family every single day.

About the Role

We're looking for a proactive and detail-oriented Retail Accounts Assistant to join our finance team. In this role, you'll support the day-to-day accounting operations of our retail business, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely reporting. You'll focus on accounting returns, reconciliations, VAT, and trading accounts, while also providing broader financial support as needed.

Here's What You Can Expect to be Doing

In this role, you'll be hands-on with a variety of finance tasks that keep our retail operations running smoothly:

• Preparing and processing accounting returns to meet internal and external deadlines.
• Completing accurate bank reconciliations and investigating discrepancies.
• Assisting with the preparation and submission of VAT returns in line with HMRC requirements.
• Completing balance sheet reconciliations to support management and trading accounts.
• Posting and reconciling journals, accruals, and prepayments.
• Supporting quarterly and year-end closing activities.
• Maintaining accurate financial records for retail transactions.
• Contributing to process improvements and system developments to enhance efficiency.

A Few Things About You

We're looking for someone who is confident with numbers, organised, and enjoys supporting a busy finance function as well as:

• A strong numeracy and analytical skills with great attention to detail.
• An understanding of accounting principles and have some experience in the retail sector.
• Confidence using Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, lookups, reconciliations) and accounting software such as Sage, Xero, or similar.
• An ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and communicate clearly.
• A team player with a proactive, problem-solving mindset.
• Ideally, we are looking for someone with AAT Level 3 or 4 (or equivalent), or are working towards it, with some experience in finance/accounts roles, including reconciliations and management accounts.

Why Join Us?

James Hall & Co. Ltd. have one simple vison: to still be in business in another 50 years

To make this vision possible we need the best talent to join us on our journey. We are a family company and believe that if we look after our people, they will look after us.

Loyalty Pay - Celebrate your work anniversary with a little extra You'll earn an additional £0.25 per hour over the financial year, with the hourly amount increasing the longer you stay with us. Your total is paid as a lump sum in the month following your anniversary.

20% Staff Discount - Enjoy 20% off your shopping in our company-owned SPAR stores — perfect for those everyday essentials and treats.

Annual Leave- Start with a generous 30 days of annual leave, inclusive of Bank Holidays. Entitlement increases with length of service, rewarding your continued commitment.

Health & Wellbeing - All colleagues can access our on-site registered nurses and physiotherapist at Bowland View for confidential support. We also run a year-round programme of health and wellbeing initiatives covering physical, mental, and lifestyle topics.

Company Sick Pay - We offer a Company Sick Pay scheme to support you during periods of ill health, providing peace of mind when you need it most.

Pension & Life Insurance - You will be enrolled into the Nest pension scheme. After two years of service, you will also receive life insurance cover, offering added security for you and your loved ones.

Free Onsite Parking - All colleagues have access to free onsite parking, making your commute more convenient and cost-effective.

Learning & Development - Whether you're looking to build your career or gain new skills, our in-house team will support you with fully funded, accredited training and industry-recognised qualifications.

Grocery Aid Support - Access free, confidential, 24/7 support through Grocery Aid — offering expert advice and help on everything from mental health and financial concerns to legal issues and family support.

For more information about us and the benefits we offer, please head over to our careers page.

Please note if we receive a high number of applicants, we may close the advert early. We advise interested candidates to submit their applications promptly to avoid disappointment.