Senior UK Bookkeeper (UK GAAP)

Penbrothers; Metro Manila; Remote; PHP 3,810,000 - 5,714,000; Full time

Job summary

Penbrothers is seeking a Senior Bookkeeper & Payroll Specialist to own the client's in-house day-to-day accounting and end-to-end payroll workflows for a UK-based childcare group. You will report to the Head of Finance and manage multi-entity bookkeeping, payroll for 150+ staff across locations, and prepare key management accounts.

Ideal candidates bring 3–5 years of UK payroll and full-cycle bookkeeping experience, familiarity with Xero or Sage, and strong Excel skills.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of end-to-end UK payroll and full-cycle bookkeeping experience.
• Experience in multi-entity or buy-and-build environments is advantageous.
• Solid knowledge of accounts payable, accounts receivable, reconciliations, and UK GAAP.

Responsibilities

• Process end-to-end monthly payroll for ~150 staff across locations.
• Manage AP/AR, invoicing, payments, and vendor bills.
• Prepare management accounts and month-end reporting within a week.
• Support multi-entity accounting integration for new nurseries.
• Utilize Xero or Sage; drive process improvements and automation.

Skills

Payroll

UK Payroll

Bookkeeping

Excel

UK GAAP

Tools

Xero

Sage

EY Manage

Parenta

Job description

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 & 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.

What you’ll do

Payroll & Benefits Management:

• Process accurate and timely end-to-end monthly payroll for approximately 150+ nursery and support staff across multiple locations.
• Oversee specialized childcare benefit workflows, including childcare vouchers and nursery funding record maintenance.
• Respond to payroll-related inquiries from staff and management, resolving discrepancies with care, empathy, and efficiency.

Management Accounts & Reporting:

• Prepare periodic management accounts, financial statements, and performance summaries for leadership within one week of month-end.
• Conduct regular trial balance reviews, month-end adjustments, accruals, prepayments, and journal entries.
• Support multi-entity accounting integration as new nursery locations are acquired.

Accounts Payable & Receivable:

• Own full-cycle accounts payable (AP) and accounts receivable (AR), including customer invoicing, payment collection tracking, and vendor bill processing.
• Schedule and execute accurate online payment batches and bank transfers.

Reconciliations & Cash Control:

• Perform regular bank statement reconciliations to ensure complete alignment between bank activity and general ledger accounts.
• Maintain petty cash accounts, review receipts, and perform regular petty cash reconciliations across branches.

Systems Integration & Process Maintenance:

• Utilize and transition data across modern accounting platforms (such as Xero or Sage) and sector-specific operational ERPs (including EY Manage and Parenta).
• Recommend and implement process improvements, including AI-driven automation, to streamline record-keeping, payroll efficiency, and financial reporting workflows.

What You Bring

• Experience: 33–5 years (with at least 3 years specifically in end-to-end UK payroll and full-cycle bookkeeping).
• Experience in a buy-and-build or multi-entity environment is highly advantageous.
• Core Accounting Knowledge: Solid working knowledge of accounts payable, accounts receivable, management account preparation, bank reconciliations, general ledger maintenance, and UK GAAP compliance.
• Payroll Expertise: Strong track record in managing regular monthly payroll cycles and familiarity with UK payroll rules or UK childcare benefit schemes/vouchers.
• 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).
• Adaptability & Detail Orientation: High numerical accuracy, sharp analytical skills, and the flexibility to navigate systems migrations in a fast-scaling business.
• Communication & Style: Excellent written and verbal English communication skills; strong self-management and a proactive, collaborative work ethic.

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 jobs that empower global start-ups to focus on growth.