Senior Bookkeeper Specialist (UK GAAP)

About Penbrothers 

Penbrothers is an HR and remote talent management partner and one of the fastest-growing companies in the Philippines. We connect talented Filipinos to global opportunities with high-growth startups and dynamic companies, enabling them to build careers from the comfort of their own homes. We provide end-to-end support in recruitment, HR, payroll, compliance, and employee engagement - creating an environment where talent can thrive, and global companies can grow.

About the Client

Our client is an established and growing UK-based childcare group dedicated to acquiring and supporting well-run, well-loved nurseries to help them thrive. Operating with a deep commitment to high-quality early years education, community roots, and safeguarding standards, they maintain a warm, family-oriented culture while rapidly scaling their operations through a buy-and-build model. 

About the Role

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.

(Note: End-to-end UK payroll processing is managed separately for now, with the potential to integrate into financial workflows in future operational phases.)

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.

Our Hiring Process & AI Disclaimer: 

We use AI tools to streamline our application process—including an initial conversation with an AI Interviewer. All hiring decisions are made entirely by humans: our Talent Acquisition team guides your full candidate journey and makes all evaluation decisions.

You are welcome to use AI for CV refinement and research, but real-time AI assistance during interviews or skill assessments is strictly prohibited to ensure an authentic evaluation. 

Read our full AI Disclaimer to learn more.

What You’ll Get

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. 

• 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.