Accountant - (Recruitment Industry)

Adele Carr Recruitment Limited; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary up to £40k

Hybrid after probation

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Birthday leave after 1 year

3 volunteering days per year

Pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Team socials

Mental health support

Job summary

Adele Carr Recruitment Limited is seeking an experienced Accountant to join a Central London-based finance team. You will own key finance processes across contractor invoicing, payroll, cash allocation and month-end reporting, in a fast-paced contract recruitment environment.

Reporting to the Finance Manager, you will help shape processes during a departmental restructure and contribute ideas for improvements while maintaining accuracy and timeliness.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years' finance or accounting experience within contract/freelance recruitment.
• Strong understanding of contractor finance cycle: timesheets, invoicing, payroll and margins.
• Hands-on experience using Xero and ledger reconciliations.
• Good knowledge of purchase and sales ledgers, cash allocation and credit control.

Responsibilities

• Prepare mid-month and month-end client invoicing.
• Review contractor timesheets and placement data in Bullhorn.
• Support payroll preparation ensuring billing, pay and margins reconcile.
• Maintain purchase and sales ledgers in Xero.
• Perform bank reconciliations and control account reconciliations.
• Assist with invoice finance facilities, drawdowns and reconciliations.
• Process contractor invoices, supplier payments and expenses.
• Manage outstanding client payments and assist credit control.
• Assist with month-end journals, accruals and prepayments.
• Support VAT preparation and maintain accurate records.
• Identify opportunities to streamline finance processes.
• Mentor junior finance team members.

Skills

Contract recruitment finance

Xero

Excel

Credit control

Accounts payable

Accounts receivable

Ledger reconciliations

Financial reporting

Education

AAT Level 4 or ACCA/CIMA part-qualified

Tools

Bullhorn

Job description

Accountant - Recruitment Industry

Salary: Up to £40,000 DOE

Location: London - Liverpool Street

Working Hours: Full-time, Monday to Friday

Working Pattern: Hybrid after probation (WFH Mondays and Wednesdays)

Contract: Permanent

Benefits

• Salary up to £40,000, depending on experience
• Hybrid working - 2 days from home after probation
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Additional birthday leave after one year's service
• 3 paid volunteering days per year
• Pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Regular team socials and activities
• Access to an online mental health support platform

About the Role

Are you an experienced Accountant or Finance professional currently working within the contract or freelance recruitment sector?

Would you like to join a business where you can take ownership of key finance processes, contribute ideas and play an important part in a developing finance team?

We are currently recruiting for an Accountant to join an established specialist recruitment business based in Central London.

Reporting directly to the Finance Manager, you will play a key role in managing the financial cycle of a contract recruitment business, from contractor timesheets and client invoicing through to payroll, cash allocation and month-end reporting.

The business operates two key monthly billing and payroll cycles, so we are looking for someone who understands the pace and complexities of contract recruitment finance and can ensure everything runs accurately and on time.

With the finance department currently undergoing a restructure, this is also an opportunity to contribute to process improvements, share ideas and help shape how the department operates moving forward.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and process mid-month and month-end client invoicing.
• Review contractor timesheets and placement information using Bullhorn.
• Support contractor payroll preparation, ensuring billing, pay and margins reconcile.
• Maintain sales and purchase ledgers using Xero.
• Complete bank reconciliations, control account reconciliations and cash allocation.
• Assist with invoice finance facilities, drawdowns and associated reconciliations.
• Process contractor invoices, supplier payments and expenses.
• Manage outstanding client payments and support effective credit control.
• Assist with month-end journals, accruals, prepayments and management accounts.
• Support VAT preparation and maintain accurate financial records.
• Identify opportunities to streamline existing finance processes.
• Provide guidance and support to junior members of the finance team.

Skills & Experience

Essential:

• Minimum 2 years' finance or accounting experience within a contract or freelance recruitment business.
• Strong understanding of the contractor finance cycle, including timesheets, invoicing, payroll and margin.
• Hands‑on experience using Xero.
• Good knowledge of purchase ledger, sales ledger and bank reconciliations.
• Experience of cash allocation and credit control.
• Confident Excel skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Ability to work accurately under pressure and meet monthly deadlines.

Desirable:

• Experience working with invoice finance or debt facilities.
• Knowledge of Accelerated Payments or similar solutions (training provided).
• Understanding of PAYE, umbrella and limited company contractor arrangements.
• AAT Level 4, part-qualified ACCA or CIMA, or currently studying towards an accounting qualification.
• Experience contributing to process improvements or departmental change.

What's in it for you?

This is an opportunity to join a business where finance plays a central role in day-to-day operations.

You will gain exposure to a broad range of accounting responsibilities, work closely with the Finance Manager and have the opportunity to influence processes as the team develops.

Alongside a competitive salary, the business offers a supportive working environment, hybrid flexibility and an attractive benefits package.