Experienced / Senior Bookkeeper – Remote, 25–37.5 hours per week, £30k–£35k FTE

Company: Claudia Sheena Accountancy Services Ltd
Location: Fully remote (UK-based)
Employment type: Permanent, part-time or full-time
Hours: 25–37.5 hours per week, spread across Monday to Friday; school hours considered
Salary: £30,000–£35,000 full-time equivalent, pro rata for reduced hours
Reporting to: Anna, Practice Manager

About the Practice

Claudia Sheena Accountancy Services Ltd is a growing, independent accountancy practice supporting small and medium-sized businesses with accounting, tax compliance, bookkeeping, payroll and proactive financial advice.

We are a small, friendly and collaborative team with a strong emphasis on client relationships, quality of service and efficient use of cloud accounting technology.

We are looking for an experienced, proactive bookkeeper who can take ownership of a portfolio of clients and become an integral part of our permanent team.

Our bookkeeping clients typically have annual turnovers ranging from approximately £400,000 to a few million pounds, offering a varied portfolio of small business clients.

The Role

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the day-to-day bookkeeping requirements of multiple clients, ensuring records are accurate, up to date and ready for VAT returns, management accounts and year-end preparation.

This is a hands-on position requiring someone who is comfortable managing their own workload, communicating directly with clients and taking responsibility for meeting deadlines.

You will report directly to Anna, our Practice Manager, and work alongside our existing year-end accounts contractor. Claudia focuses primarily on business growth and higher-level work.

Key Responsibilities

Bookkeeping and VAT

• Manage the bookkeeping for a portfolio of clients, primarily limited companies.
• Maintain accurate accounting records using Xero and other cloud accounting software.
• Complete bank, credit card and control account reconciliations.
• Process and review purchase invoices, sales invoices and expenses.
• Prepare VAT returns, ensuring correct VAT treatment and compliance with Making Tax Digital requirements.
• Investigate discrepancies and resolve bookkeeping issues.
• Prepare accruals, prepayments and other routine adjustments where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate balance sheet reconciliations and supporting schedules.
• Ensure bookkeeping is completed promptly and consistently throughout the month.

Client Communication and Workflow

• Communicate directly with clients regarding bookkeeping queries and outstanding information.
• Proactively request and chase missing records.
• Manage deadlines and prioritise work across multiple clients.
• Keep the practice management system updated with progress and outstanding tasks.
• Identify potential issues early and escalate technical matters appropriately.
• Take responsibility for assigned work rather than relying on senior colleagues to manage routine tasks.

Accounts Preparation Support

• Prepare reconciled bookkeeping records for year-end accounts.
• Produce supporting schedules and working papers.
• Assist the accounts team with straightforward accounting adjustments.
• Support the preparation of management accounts where required.

Payroll (Desirable, Not Essential)

• Process payroll for a portfolio of small business clients.
• Prepare payslips, payroll reports and statutory submissions.
• Assist with pension administration and payroll queries.

Payroll experience would be advantageous, but we are also considering outsourcing this function.

Essential Requirements

• Minimum three years’ bookkeeping experience, preferably within a UK accountancy practice.
• Proven experience managing bookkeeping for multiple clients.
• Experience using cloud bookkeeping software such as Xero, FreeAgent or QuickBooks. Xero is preferred, but candidates experienced in FreeAgent or QuickBooks will be considered, with training on Xero where needed.
• Experience preparing VAT returns.
• Sound understanding of double-entry bookkeeping and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Ability to work independently in a fully remote environment.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
• Confident communication with clients and colleagues.
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Good working knowledge of Excel.

Desirable Requirements

• AAT or ICB bookkeeping qualification, or qualified by substantial practical experience.
• Experience using more than one of Xero, FreeAgent and QuickBooks.
• Familiarity with Hubdoc, Apron or Dext.
• Experience with BrightPay or similar payroll software.
• Experience preparing accounts working papers.
• Familiarity with practice management systems such as Engager.

Formal qualifications are less important than strong practical experience and the ability to work independently. A part-qualified accountancy qualification is not required.

Working Arrangements

The position is fully remote and open to UK-based candidates. The existing team meets approximately quarterly for lunch and to review working practices. Attendance arrangements can be discussed with the successful candidate.

We are flexible regarding total weekly hours and would consider candidates seeking approximately 25–37.5 hours per week.

Availability across all five working days, Monday to Friday, is required to support ongoing client communication and the wider team. A three- or four-day working week would not provide the coverage needed.

We would particularly welcome applicants who wish to work shorter days across Monday to Friday, for example around school hours, provided agreed core hours and business deadlines can be met.

The exact working pattern will be agreed with the successful candidate.

This is a permanent employed position with dedicated, agreed working hours, rather than an outsourced or freelance bookkeeping service.

We would welcome someone who can start as soon as practical, but candidates with notice periods will be considered.

Personal Attributes

We are looking for someone who is:

• Proactive, reliable and accountable.
• Comfortable taking ownership of their work.
• Organised and able to manage competing deadlines.
• Confident working independently without constant supervision.
• A good communicator who enjoys dealing with clients.
• Technically competent and willing to investigate discrepancies.
• Adaptable and interested in improving systems and processes.
• Collaborative and happy working within a small team.

What We Offer

• Permanent employment within a growing accountancy practice.
• Fully remote working.
• Flexible working hours.
• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Supportive and collaborative team environment.
• Opportunity to take responsibility for a varied client portfolio.
• Scope to develop additional accounting and technical skills as the practice grows.

Interview Process

An initial video conversation with Claudia will explore your experience, technical knowledge and fit with the practice. A second conversation with Anna is likely to follow.

• Your preferred weekly hours and availability to work remotely across Monday to Friday. School hours are welcome.
• Whether you could attend quarterly team meetings in North West London.
• Which cloud accounting systems you have used, such as Xero, FreeAgent or QuickBooks, and whether you have experience preparing VAT returns.
• Your notice period or earliest available start date.

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