Senior Accounts Assistant

About the role

We are seeking a Senior Accounts Assistant to join a well‑established accountancy practice in Cheltenham. The role offers a high degree of autonomy, a predominantly remote working environment and the chance to manage a diverse portfolio of SME clients.

Key responsibilities

• Manage end‑to‑end payroll processing for multiple clients.
• Prepare year‑end statutory accounts and monthly accounts.
• Assist in producing management accounts, including journal postings, balance‑sheet reconciliations and profit & loss reporting.
• Oversee bookkeeping tasks such as maintaining financial records, bank reconciliations and managing sales and purchase ledgers.
• Prepare and submit VAT returns, ensuring full HMRC compliance across various VAT schemes.
• Utilise accounting software – primarily Sage and Xero, with IRIS experience considered advantageous.
• Provide ad‑hoc support to the wider finance team as required.

Required profile

• Proven experience working within an accountancy practice.
• ACA or ACCA qualification (or higher).
• Strong expertise in payroll processing.
• Ability to work independently in a remote setting.
• Self‑motivated, organised and proactive.
• Experience managing a portfolio of SME clients.
• Hands‑on experience with bookkeeping and VAT returns.

Required skills

• Sage accounting software
• Xero accounting software
• IRIS (advantageous)
• Payroll processing
• VAT return preparation
• Bookkeeping

What we offer

• Competitive salary of £60,000‑£65,000 per year.
• Flexible and remote‑first working arrangements.
• Opportunity to own your workload within a supportive team.
• Initial requirement of two days per week onsite, reducing to approximately one day.