Bookkeeper & Personal Assistant

Hiring People; Whelpley Hill; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 28,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Pension

Flexible hours

Handover period

Job summary

W.J. & M.Mash Limited is seeking a capable Bookkeeper & Personal Assistant to manage day-to-day bookkeeping, payroll, and business administration while supporting the Managing Director. The role offers approximately 20 hours per week with flexible daily start and finish times within a long-established family business.

A substantial handover period before maternity leave begins is included. The role combines hands-on bookkeeping, payroll administration, and PA support across finance, property,

Qualifications

• Practical bookkeeping or accounts administration experience.
• Experience managing ledgers, invoicing, payments and reconciliations.
• Experience preparing VAT returns and processing payroll.
• Confidence using Sage 50 and Excel or other spreadsheets.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and manage changing priorities.
• Clear and personable communication skills.
• Discretion when handling confidential information.

Responsibilities

• Managing purchase and sales ledgers.
• Processing supplier and customer invoices, payments, expenses and prepaid cards.
• Maintaining accurate financial records and completing reconciliations.
• Preparing VAT returns.

Skills

Bookkeeping

Payroll

VAT returns

Sage 50

Excel

Tools

Accounting software

Job description

Are you an experienced bookkeeper looking for a varied part-time role with flexibility over your daily working hours?

W.J.& M.Mash Limited is a long-established, family-owned business with interests spanning farming, property and Bovingdon Airfield Studios.

We are looking for a capable, organised and dependable Bookkeeper & Personal Assistant to take ownership of day-to-day bookkeeping, payroll and business administration while providing practical support to the Managing Director.

This could be an excellent opportunity for someone local who wants meaningful part-time work, plenty of variety and a working pattern that can accommodate commitments outside work.You will also benefit from a substantial handover period before the maternity leave begins.

Why consider this opportunity?

• Approximately 20 hours per week
• Flexibility to agree practical daily start and finish times
• A varied role across finance, property, farming and general business administration
• A substantial handover period
• A friendly, informal and practical working environment
• The opportunity to take ownership within a long-established family business

The role

You will combine hands‑on bookkeeping and payroll administration with PA support for the Managing Director and wider administrative assistance across the family business.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing purchase and sales ledgers
• Processing supplier and customer invoices, payments, expenses and prepaid cards
• Maintaining accurate financial records and completing reconciliations
• Preparing VAT returns
• Processing monthly payroll, including PAYE, National Insurance and pension requirements
• Monitoring outstanding invoices and supporting cash collection
• Liaising with employees, suppliers, customers and external advisers on routine finance matters
• Organising appointments, meetings, correspondence, travel and logistics for the Managing Director
• Tracking deadlines and following up agreed actions
• Supporting property matters alongside the outsourced property manager
• Maintaining farming records
• Assisting with ad hoc projects across the business

About you

You will be accurate, dependable and comfortable taking ownership within an owner‑managed business where priorities can change and common sense matters.

Salary and benefits

• £40k (full time equivalent)
• 25 days' annual leave, pro-rated for part‑time hours, plus bank holidays
• Workplace pension with a 3% employer contribution based on qualifying earnings and a minimum 5% employee contribution
• Approximately 20 hours per week across four or five days
• Scope to agree mutually workable daily start and finish times
• A friendly, informal and practical working environment
• A substantial handover period before the maternity leave begins

You will need:

• Practical bookkeeping or accounts administration experience
• Experience managing ledgers, invoicing, payments and reconciliations
• Experience preparing VAT returns and processing payroll
• Confidence using Sage 50 and Excel or other spreadsheets
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• The ability to work independently and manage changing priorities
• Clear and personable communication skills
• Complete discretion when handling confidential information

Previous PA or executive support experience would be advantageous but is not essential. Farming experience is also not required, although an interest in learning about the wider farming and property business would be welcomed.