[Hiring] Senior Bookkeeper Specialist @Penbrothers

Role Description

As a Senior Bookkeeper 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, perform monthly reconciliations, process childcare payroll for approximately 150+ employees, and prepare 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, and multi-entity systems integration while maintaining solid technical standards under UK accounting guidelines.

Work Setup: Remote / Work-from-home

Working Hours / Schedule: 1:00PM to 10:00PM PHT

What you’ll do

• General Ledger & Accounting Integrity:
  • Execute and oversee day-to-day transaction recording with absolute mastery of double-entry bookkeeping principles.
  • Conduct regular trial balance reviews, month-end adjustments, accruals, prepayments, depreciation, and adjusting journal entries.
  • Maintain clean, audit-ready balance sheet schedules and general ledger hygiene across all entities.
• Management Accounts & Reporting:
  • Prepare and deliver accurate periodic management accounts, financial statements, and performance summaries for leadership within one week of month-end.
  • Provide variance analysis and commentary on nursery-level and consolidated operational performance.
• Multi-Entity Integration & Systems Maintenance:
  • Support the financial and accounting onboarding of newly acquired nursery locations under the group’s buy-and-build model.
  • Utilize modern accounting platforms (such as Xero or Sage) and sector-specific operational tools (including EY Manage and Parenta).
  • Recommend and implement workflow automations to streamline month-end close, financial record-keeping, and reporting cycles.
• Accounts Payable (AP) & Accounts Receivable (AR):
  • Own full-cycle AP and AR workflows, including vendor bill verification, nursery fee invoicing, and payment collection tracking.
  • Schedule, review, and execute accurate supplier payment batches and bank transfers.
• Reconciliations & Cash Controls:
  • Perform regular, comprehensive bank reconciliations to ensure general ledger balances match real-time cash positions.
  • Oversee branch petty cash accounts, verify expenditure receipts, and perform multi-site cash reconciliations.

What You Bring

• Experience:
  • 3–5+ years of solid, hands-on experience in full-cycle bookkeeping and management accounts preparation.
  • Proven track record working with UK-based businesses and practical adherence to UK GAAP.
  • Experience within a multi-entity, multi-branch, or buy-and-build environment is highly advantageous.
• Technical Accounting Depth:
  • Deep, flawless understanding of core double-entry accounting mechanics, trial balance adjustments, and month-end close workflows.
  • High numerical precision and analytical rigor; ability to spot and rectify GL discrepancies independently.
• Certifications & Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy, Finance, or a related field.
  • Professional accounting qualification or post-degree certification—such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or a recognized Certified Bookkeeper credential—is strongly preferred.
  • Candidates with extensive, demonstrable UK accounting expertise without formal credentials will also be evaluated.
• Software & Technical Proficiency:
  • Advanced proficiency in cloud accounting software (Xero, Sage, or similar platforms).
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, sumifs, and structured financial models).
  • Comfort with or willingness to learn specialized childcare operational platforms (e.g., Parenta, EY Manage).
  • Exposure to UK payroll or pension systems is a plus, though not required.
• Communication & Work Ethic:
  • Exceptional written and verbal English communication skills.
  • High level of self-management, proactive problem-solving, and confidence in communicating directly with UK leadership.

What You’ll Get

• 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.