- Company Name
- Living Optics
- Job Title
- Accounts Assistant (FTC)
- Job Description
-
Kickstart your finance career at one of the UK's most exciting deep tech startups.
We're looking for an organised and motivated Accounts Assistant to join our Finance Team on a 3-month fixed term contract, supporting the smooth running of our day-to-day finance operations. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a fast-moving environment, working alongside a brilliant team and contributing to an industry-leading product.
You'll be involved in a variety of tasks—from processing invoices and reconciling sales orders, to supporting cash collection activity and reviewing expenses—giving you exposure to a broad range of finance processes. With our unique blend of manufacturing, R&D, software, and services, and an international customer base and supply chain, this is a rare chance to experience how finance operates in a truly multifaceted, global business.
Whether you have some experience in a finance role or are a recent AAT Level 2-4 graduate, this role is ideal if you're eager to learn, detail-focused, and excited by the opportunity to work in a high-growth, innovation-driven company.
You'll be based at our Headquarters in Abingdon, UK, with occasional flexibility for hybrid working.
Key Responsibilities
Process accounts payable invoices accurately
Raise and manage purchase orders
Reconcile sales orders with our payment portal and accounting systems
Support cash collection efforts and follow up on overdue payments
Respond to finance-related email enquiries
Review employee expenses and verify compliance with company policies
Assist with general administrative tasks and data entry, ensuring records are kept up to date
Play a full and collegiate role in upholding and promoting the values of the company
Location and Commitments
Full-time, office based, but we can accommodate when life means you might need some flexibility
Fixed Term Contract - 3 months
Culture is important to us, and we will ask you at interview about your values and how they align with ours. We do our best to exemplify:
People First:
Our people are the centre of our business and drive our decision making
We listen to our people, partners and customers to understand so we can support what they need to achieve
Curiosity with Purpose:
We are passionate about what we do and are committed to achieving our company goals
We are focused on meeting our deadlines, but also make time to have fun, experiment and explore the new
Challenge Reality:
We are ready to challenge what is deemed impossible by exploring new ideas and technology
We embrace different perspectives and are always willing to question the accepted viewpoint
Interested?
If this sounds like you and you want to grow your knowledge, capability and ultimately performance then please apply!
Requirements
Essential Requirements
AAT Level 2 qualified
Comfortable working with accounting software and Excel (basic formulas, lookups, filters, etc.) and office tools (Word, Powerpoint, Sharepoint)
Strong attention to detail and a high level of accuracy in data entry and record keeping
Good organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks
Quick to learn new systems and processes
Confident communicator, able to engage with colleagues across teams
Proactive and willing to take ownership of routine finance tasks
Able to work independently as well as part of a small team
Willing and able to attend our Abingdon office full-time (this is an on-site role)
Desirable Requirements
AAT Level 3 or 4 qualification
Familiarity with Xero or other accounting software
Experience working in an office or team-based environment, even outside of finance
Previous exposure to finance or admin tasks (e.g. through education, internships, part-time work)
Benefits
Some of the benefits of working with us
A competitive salary
28 days leave pro-rata (equivalent to 7 days for a 3-month contract)
We understand that effective people like some comforts, so we have a bright and inviting office space with a stocked kitchen with free drinks and snacks and light lunches
What's it really like working with us?
We are fiercely proud of our talented workforce, whose creativity, tenacity and skills have enabled us to evolve into a successful, well-funded and rapidly growing company in just a few years. Our headquarters and lab space are at Milton Park, Oxford UK and we are continuing to grow our friendly and diverse global team. We strive to be an outstanding place to work - by maintaining a positive and inclusive culture, offering competitive salaries and benefits and by encouraging ongoing training and development.
