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Senior Bookkeeper
Location: Twickenham, Southwest London
Salary: Up to £XXXX depending on experience
Reports to: Financial Controller
About Us
We are a leading provider of home staging and interior design services to Central and Greater London, the UK and internationally. Founded in 2016, we have combined an in-depth understanding of the property industry with a passion for design to build a leading home staging and interiors business, recognised for its design- led approach, high-quality products and best-in-class client service. We are a growing business with ambitious plans, and our finance function is developing alongside the wider business.
The Role
We are looking for an experienced and hands-on Senior Bookkeeper to take ownership of the day-to-day finance operations and play an important role in ensuring the accuracy, control and timeliness of our financial information. Reporting to the Financial Controller, the role will cover AP, AR, bookkeeping, reconciliations, month-end support, credit control, VAT and cash-flow information, together with continuous improvement of finance processes and systems.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Accounting & Bookkeeping
Maintain accurate and up-to-date accounting records in Xero.
Maintain the purchase ledger, sales ledger and nominal ledger.
Complete regular bank and balance sheet reconciliations.
Ensure transactions are correctly coded to the appropriate department, project and/or cost centre.
Investigate and resolve accounting discrepancies and unusual transactions.
Maintain appropriate supporting documentation and audit trails.
Accounts Payable
Process and code supplier invoices, credit notes and expenses.
Reconcile supplier statements and resolve discrepancies.
Monitor payments on account and outstanding credits.
Prepare supplier payment runs for approval.
Manage supplier queries and ensure issues are resolved promptly.
Maintain information required to support month-end accruals and outstanding liabilities.
Accounts Receivable & Credit Control
Raise and issue customer invoices accurately and on a timely basis.
Monitor project milestones and billing requirements.
Process and allocate customer receipts.
Maintain an accurate aged debtor ledger.
Proactively follow up overdue balances.
Work with commercial and project teams to resolve billing issues.
Monitor upcoming renewals and final balances to ensure these are invoiced promptly.
Month-End & Management Accounts
Own the bookkeeping aspects of the month-end close.
Ensure income and costs are recorded in the correct accounting period.
Prepare accruals, prepayments and other month-end adjustments.
Complete balance sheet reconciliations and supporting schedules.
Review P&L movements and highlight anomalies to the Financial Controller.
Prepare first-level analysis of key income and expenditure lines.
Provide the underlying information and schedules required for the monthly management accounts.
Support improvements to the speed and quality of the month-end process.
Cash Flow & Working Capital
Maintain accurate information on expected customer receipts and supplier payments.
Support the preparation and maintenance of the rolling cash-flow forecast.
Provide visibility of expected customer receipts and supplier commitments.
Track debtor collections and other significant cash movements.
Compare forecast cash movements with actuals and highlight variances.
Identify potential cash-flow risks and opportunities for the Financial Controller.
VAT, Compliance & Year-End
Prepare VAT information and supporting schedules for review.
Assist with VAT, tax and year-end requirements.
Support the Financial Controller and external accountants with relevant information and schedules.
Maintain accurate records and audit trails.
Systems & Continuous Improvement
Act as a key user of Xero and associated finance applications.
Identify opportunities to automate or simplify finance processes.
Improve the consistency and documentation of finance procedures.
Support the implementation of new finance systems and processes where appropriate.
Maintain appropriate controls over financial data and system access.
Skills & Experience
Essential
5+ years' experience in a finance or bookkeeping environment, ideally within a growing SME.
AAT Level 3/4, AAT Technician, ICB or equivalent relevant experience.
Strong practical experience across AP, AR, bank reconciliations and general ledger accounting.
Strong working knowledge of Xero.
Experience supporting month-end accounts and balance sheet reconciliations.
Good understanding of VAT and general accounting principles.
Experience in credit control and managing aged debt.
Strong Excel/spreadsheet skills.
Excellent attention to detail and numerical accuracy.
Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
Desirable
Experience of project-based accounting or multiple cost centres.
Experience supporting cash-flow forecasting and/or working-capital management.
Experience within a growing, entrepreneurial SME.
Experience within property, interiors, construction, design, retail or another project-based environment.
Experience improving finance processes and introducing automation.
An interest in interior design and property.
Personal Attributes
We are looking for someone who:
Takes ownership and follows issues through to resolution.
Is highly organised, dependable and able to manage multiple deadlines.
Has strong attention to detail and high standards of accuracy.
Is naturally curious and willing to investigate and challenge anomalies.
Is proactive and solutions focused.
Has good commercial awareness.
Communicates clearly and confidently with colleagues, suppliers, customers and external advisers.
Works collaboratively across the business.
Is comfortable working in a fast-growing and changing environment.
Has a positive and pragmatic approach.
Wants to contribute to the continued growth and development of our company.
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