Assistant Management Accountant

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Website Robert Half

Job Overview: Assistant Management Accountant

Robert Half is partnering with Carbase, the South West’s largest used-car supermarket, to recruit an ambitious Assistant Management Accountant for their Bristol-based finance team. Certified as a “Great Place to Work” for three consecutive years, Carbase is a data-driven automotive retailer known for operational excellence. This role is a key appointment within a growing finance function, offering a blend of month-end reporting, technical analysis, and the opportunity to influence business performance in a fast-paced retail environment.

Job Summary

  • Recruiter: Robert Half Ltd

  • Employer: Carbase

  • Location: Bristol, United Kingdom

  • Salary: £32,000 – £35,000 per annum

  • Role Type: Full-time, Permanent

  • Sector: Automotive Retail / Finance

  • Culture: “Great Place to Work” certified with strong staff engagement.

Key Responsibilities

  • Month-End Reporting: Prepare journals, produce management accounts, and complete key reconciliations to ensure financial accuracy.

  • Performance Analysis: Report on business performance through KPI reporting and detailed P&L insights.

  • Balance Sheet Control: Maintain rigorous controls over stock, debtors, creditors, and fixed assets.

  • Financial Planning: Assist with forecasting and cash flow analysis, supporting leadership in P&L reviews.

  • Compliance & Audit: Contribute to year-end processes and audits, ensuring all data meets regulatory and internal standards.

  • Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Work with various teams to ensure data accuracy and maintain a positive, collaborative office environment.

Requirements & Qualifications

  • Certification: AAT Qualified or at least 3 years of experience in a dedicated accounting role.

  • Technical Skills: Proven experience in preparing management accounts, processing journals, and performing financial analysis.

  • Software Knowledge: Familiarity with DMS (Dealer Management Systems) or standard accounting software is beneficial but not essential.

  • Soft Skills: A strong appreciation for confidentiality, high attention to detail, and a collaborative mindset.

  • Industry Interest: An interest in a commercially driven, fast-paced retail environment.

Salary & Benefits

  • Competitive Pay: Salary of circa £35k per year.

  • Study Support: The possibility of financial and time support for professional accounting qualifications (ACCA/CIMA) for the right candidate.

  • Work-Life Balance: Hybrid working and flexible arrangements are supported.

  • Growth: Opportunities for professional development within a successful, expanding organization.

Job Description

Are you an aspiring accountant who wants to see the direct impact of your numbers on a thriving business? Carbase is looking for an Assistant Management Accountant who can navigate the high-speed world of automotive retail. In this role, you aren’t just a “bean counter”—you are a financial navigator helping the South West’s largest car supermarket maintain its trajectory of growth.

Your work will be at the heart of the business’s decision-making process. One day you might be reconciling high-value vehicle stock; the next, you’ll be providing P&L insights to senior leadership to help shape the next quarter’s strategy. If you have the AAT credentials and the ambition to grow within a “Great Place to Work,” this Bristol-based role offers a perfect blend of technical challenge and professional support.

Expert Guide: Concluding Your 66-Role UK Finance & Technical Analysis

This Management Accountant role is the 66th entry in your dataset, serving as the “Commercial Finance” anchor for your 2026 Bristol research. To wrap up this massive project, consider these four final perspectives:

  1. The “Bristol Finance” Salary View: Compare this Assistant Accountant role (£35k) against the Robert Half Business Development Executive (£45k) and the Aon Client Manager to see the entry-to-mid-level career trajectory in the region.

  2. The “Great Place to Work” Trend: An analysis of how 2026 employers like Carbase, Motability, and Aon are using cultural certifications as a primary recruitment tool.

  3. Data-Driven Decision Making: A summary of how “KPI Reporting” and “Data Accuracy” (Carbase/Morgan Hunt/CBSbutler) have become the most sought-after skills across all sectors this year.

  4. Strategic 2026 Synthesis: A final summary of how “Hybrid Working,” “Study Support,” and “Commercial Insight” have appeared in 90% of your 66-role dataset.

    Robert Half: Bristol’s Specialized Professional Talent Partner

    Robert Half is a global leader in specialized talent solutions and the world’s first and largest accounting and finance staffing firm. In Bristol, the agency acts as a critical link between the city’s thriving professional sectors—particularly within the “Silicon Gorge” tech cluster and the Temple Quay financial district—and high-caliber talent. As of 2026, Robert Half continues to be recognized for its industry-leading insights, including its 29th consecutive year on the Fortune® World’s Most Admired Companies™ list.

    The culture at Robert Half Bristol is defined by technical specialization and “people-powered” results. The agency employs “specialized recruiters” who possess deep industry knowledge in the fields they represent. This allows for nuanced technical vetting and a sophisticated understanding of the Bristol market’s specific needs. Their 2026 strategy emphasizes the “Value of Specialized Skills,” moving beyond general recruitment to match candidates with roles that require high-demand expertise in AI, digital transformation, and complex financial reporting.

    Key Branch Highlights (2026)

    Feature Details
    Location Whitefriars, Lewins Mead, Bristol, BS1 2NT
    Office Hours Monday – Friday, 08:00 – 18:30 (Closed Weekends)
    Contact 0117 993 5400
    Market Authority Publisher of the 2026 UK Salary Guide
    Reach Supports businesses across Bath, Portishead, Keynsham, and Filton
    Specialization Finance, Technology, Marketing, Legal, and HR
    Innovation Uses proprietary AI-driven matching to look beyond the resume

    Specialized Practice Groups

    The Bristol office is organized into niche teams to ensure hiring managers and job seekers work with experts who understand their specific regulatory and technical environments:

    • Finance & Accounting: The flagship division, placing roles from Accounts Assistants to CFOs. Current 2026 trends show a surge in demand for modernizing finance functions and AI-driven reporting.

    • Technology: A critical partner for Bristol’s tech scene. In 2026, they are seeing intense competition for AI Engineers, Data Scientists, and Cybersecurity Specialists.

    • Administrative & Office Support: Focused on the operational backbone of businesses, including Office Managers, Executive Assistants, and HR Administrators.

    • Marketing & Creative: Connecting regional businesses with UX/UI Designers, Digital Marketing Managers, and Content Strategists.

    • Legal, Risk & Compliance: Specializing in legal counsel, internal audit, and compliance analysis, particularly for the financial services sector.

    • Human Resources: Placing HR Business Partners and “People & Culture” Managers to help organizations navigate the complex 2026 landscape of hybrid work and employee experience.

    2026 Bristol Labor Market Trends

    According to Robert Half’s 2026 UK Salary Guide, the local market is defined by several key “compensation and culture” shifts:

    1. The “Specialized Skill” Premium: 84% of hiring managers in 2026 say they will offer higher salaries to candidates with in-demand skills. AI and Machine Learning roles are seeing some of the highest projected gains ($+4.1$%).

    2. The Return-to-Office Leverage: 66% of candidates would agree to work in-person full-time for a higher salary, with most requiring a 10% or more increase to do so.

    3. Total Compensation Focus: 50% of hiring managers expect that adding new benefits (like wellness offerings or financial incentives) will be more effective than salary alone in 2026’s tight labor market.

    4. Confidence in Negotiation: 88% of professionals feel confident negotiating salary offers in 2026, supported by real-time data from tools like the Robert Half Salary Calculator.

    Services for Employers and Job Seekers

    • For Employers: Offers contract, permanent, and interim management solutions, as well as Protiviti consulting for larger business transformations.

    • For Job Seekers: Provides instant job recommendations via a personalized portal, along with free online training and development to help candidates bridge the “AI skills gap” in 2026.

To apply for this job please visit www.roberthalf.com.