Senior Bookkeeper & Payroll Specialist

About Penbrothers 

About the Client

About the Role

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, 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.

Payroll & Benefits Management:

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  Process accurate and timely end-to-end monthly payroll for approximately 150+ nursery and support staff across multiple locations.

  
  


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  Oversee specialized childcare benefit workflows, including childcare vouchers and nursery funding record maintenance.

  
  


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  Respond to payroll-related inquiries from staff and management, resolving discrepancies with care, empathy, and efficiency.

  
  

Management Accounts & Reporting:

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  Prepare periodic management accounts, financial statements, and performance summaries for leadership within one week of month-end.

  
  


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  Conduct regular trial balance reviews, month-end adjustments, accruals, prepayments, and journal entries.

  
  


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  Support multi-entity accounting integration as new nursery locations are acquired.

  
  

Accounts Payable & Receivable:

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  Own full-cycle accounts payable (AP) and accounts receivable (AR), including customer invoicing, payment collection tracking, and vendor bill processing.

  
  


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  Schedule and execute accurate online payment batches and bank transfers.

  
  

Reconciliations & Cash Control:

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  Perform regular bank statement reconciliations to ensure complete alignment between bank activity and general ledger accounts.

  
  


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  Maintain petty cash accounts, review receipts, and perform regular petty cash reconciliations across branches.

  
  

Systems Integration & Process Maintenance:

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  Utilize and transition data across modern accounting platforms (such as Xero or Sage) and sector-specific operational ERPs (including EY Manage and Parenta).

  
  


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  Recommend and implement process improvements, including AI-driven automation, to streamline record-keeping, payroll efficiency, and financial reporting workflows.

  
  

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  Experience: 33–5 years (with at least 3 years specifically in end-to-end UK payroll and full-cycle bookkeeping). 

  
  




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  Experience in a buy-and-build or multi-entity environment is highly advantageous.

  
  




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  Core Accounting Knowledge: Solid working knowledge of accounts payable, accounts receivable, management account preparation, bank reconciliations, general ledger maintenance, and UK GAAP compliance.

  
  


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  Payroll Expertise: Strong track record in managing regular monthly payroll cycles and familiarity with UK payroll rules or UK childcare benefit schemes/vouchers.

  
  


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  Technical Skills: 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).

  
  


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  Adaptability & Detail Orientation: High numerical accuracy, sharp analytical skills, and the flexibility to navigate systems migrations in a fast-scaling business.

  
  


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  Communication & Style: Excellent written and verbal English communication skills; strong self-management and a proactive, collaborative work ethic.

  
  

Hiring Process

Our AI Expectations: While we encourage you to use AI for CV refinement and research, we require that all interviews and assessments be completed through your own authentic effort. The use of real-time AI assistance during interviews or to complete skills tests is strictly prohibited to ensure a fair and genuine evaluation of your capabilities.

At Penbrothers, we are obsessed with creating positive employee experiences. Here you’ll find an environment that nurtures learning and provides opportunities for growth. You’ll have the opportunity to make an impact on fast-growing startups and dynamic companies. 

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  Meaningful work & Growth: We take every opportunity to stretch ourselves and deliver an excellent client experience. 

  
  


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  Employee as our biggest asset: We are genuinely invested in our people’s career and welfare.

  
  


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  Global reach & local impact: Get to work with high-growth startups and dynamic companies from the comfort of your own home. 

  
  


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  Powering global startups: We’ve created 1,400 Filipino jobs that empower global start-ups to focus on growth.