Farm Accountant / Bookkeeper

About the role

St Giles Farms Ltd is seeking an experienced Farm Accountant/Bookkeeper to manage the day‑to‑day finance function for its 3,000‑acre mixed‑crop operation. Working closely with the Farm Manager and the wider Estate team, you will keep the books accurate on Xero, handle VAT, payroll and statutory returns, and provide reliable financial support in a dynamic rural environment.

Key responsibilities

• Maintain day‑to‑day bookkeeping on Xero, ensuring accurate and timely records.
• Run purchase and sales ledgers end‑to‑end, processing and coding invoices.
• Execute supplier payment runs and manage payment terms.
• Control debtor and creditor accounts, issue statements, chase overdue payments and resolve queries.
• Prepare and submit monthly VAT returns to HMRC.
• Perform regular bank reconciliations for all farm accounts.
• Prepare P11D and P11D(b) forms and support other HMRC statutory returns.
• Manage payroll inputs, timesheets and act as the primary contact for the external payroll manager.
• Provide administrative and financial support to the Farm Manager, including ad‑hoc reporting and analysis.
• Respond promptly to internal and external queries on accounts, payments and payroll.
• Collaborate with the wider Estate team to ensure consistent financial practices.

Required profile

• Proven bookkeeping or accounts experience, preferably in agriculture, an estate or a varied SME.
• Confident, current user of Xero with a solid understanding of double‑entry bookkeeping.
• Strong knowledge of UK VAT, PAYE, P11D/P11D(b) and other HMRC obligations.
• Ability to own purchase and sales ledgers, payment runs and bank reconciliations with minimal supervision.
• Highly organised, accurate and comfortable working in a fast‑moving farm environment.

Required skills

• Xero accounting software
• Double‑entry bookkeeping
• UK VAT compliance
• PAYE and payroll processing
• P11D / P11D(b) reporting
• Bank reconciliation