[Hiring] Senior Bookkeeper & Payroll Specialist @Penbrothers

Role Description

As a Senior Bookkeeper & Payroll Specialist , you will play a pivotal role in establishing and taking full ownership of the client’s in-house day-to-day financial accounting and end-to-end payroll workflows. Reporting directly to the Head of Finance, you will handle:

• Accurate transaction recording
• Monthly reconciliations
• Processing childcare payroll for approximately 150+ employees
• Preparing key management accounts

This role is ideal for an adaptable, detail-oriented finance specialist who excels in dynamic, scaling environments. You will thrive on managing:

• General ledger maintenance
• Cash controls
• Multi-entity systems integration

while maintaining solid technical standards under UK accounting guidelines.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience (with at least 3 years specifically in end-to-end UK payroll and full-cycle bookkeeping)
• Experience in a buy-and-build or multi-entity environment is highly advantageous
• Solid working knowledge of accounts payable, accounts receivable, management account preparation, bank reconciliations, general ledger maintenance, and UK GAAP compliance
• Strong track record in managing regular monthly payroll cycles and familiarity with UK payroll rules or UK childcare benefit schemes/vouchers
• Proficiency in accounting software like Xero or Sage, alongside adaptability to learn specialized operational platforms (e.g., EY Manage, Parenta); advanced skills in Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, financial formulas)
• High numerical accuracy, sharp analytical skills, and the flexibility to navigate systems migrations in a fast-scaling business
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills; strong self-management and a proactive, collaborative work ethic

Requirements

• Process accurate and timely end-to-end monthly payroll for approximately 150+ nursery and support staff across multiple locations
• Oversee specialized childcare benefit workflows, including childcare vouchers and nursery funding record maintenance
• Respond to payroll-related inquiries from staff and management, resolving discrepancies with care, empathy, and efficiency
• Prepare periodic management accounts, financial statements, and performance summaries for leadership within one week of month-end
• Conduct regular trial balance reviews, month-end adjustments, accruals, prepayments, and journal entries
• Support multi-entity accounting integration as new nursery locations are acquired
• Own full-cycle accounts payable (AP) and accounts receivable (AR), including customer invoicing, payment collection tracking, and vendor bill processing
• Schedule and execute accurate online payment batches and bank transfers
• Perform regular bank statement reconciliations to ensure complete alignment between bank activity and general ledger accounts
• Maintain petty cash accounts, review receipts, and perform regular petty cash reconciliations across branches
• Utilize and transition data across modern accounting platforms (such as Xero or Sage) and sector-specific operational ERPs (including EY Manage and Parenta)
• Recommend and implement process improvements, including AI-driven automation, to streamline record-keeping, payroll efficiency, and financial reporting workflows

Benefits

• Meaningful work & Growth: We take every opportunity to stretch ourselves and deliver an excellent client experience
• Employee as our biggest asset: We are genuinely invested in our people’s career and welfare
• Global reach & local impact: Get to work with high-growth startups and dynamic companies from the comfort of your own home
• Powering global startups: We’ve created 1,400 Filipino jobs that empower global start-ups to focus on growth