A hands-on part-time finance role at the heart of a growing independent food business. Smith & Clay is a whole-carcass butcher and deli in Buckingham with a nationwide delivery business. We are looking for someone to take day-to-day control of our numbers, working directly with the owner. This is a role with real influence, not data entry.
You would look after supplier payments and cash flow, chase in what we are owed, produce our monthly management accounts, handle payroll and VAT, and keep our Xero up to date, giving a clear and current picture of where the business stands and helping us plan ahead.
We would also like your help shaping smarter systems and clearer reporting as we grow, so an eye for better ways of working, and the tools to support them, is a real plus. We would love to hear from an experienced bookkeeper, or an ambitious part-qualified accountant (AAT, ACCA or CIMA), who is genuinely interested in how a business works. Someone who spots things, asks questions and wants to be part of the story.
About us
Smith & Clay Ltd is an independent, owner-managed whole-carcass butcher and deli, in Buckingham and a nationwide delivery business. We buy and butcher whole animals in-house, make our own deli products, and pride ourselves on craft and provenance.
Purpose of the role
To take day-to-day control of the business's finances, with a particular focus on cash flow, so that the owner can concentrate on running and growing the business. Alongside the day-to-day, we want someone to help put good workflows and clear reporting in place. You would work with Desi, who processes purchase invoices, and liaise with our accountant, Tomas, at year-end.
Key responsibilities
- Cash flow: maintain a rolling cash flow forecast and keep the owner sighted on the cash position each week.
- Payments: prepare supplier payment runs for the owner to authorise, and manage supplier accounts and payment terms.
- Credit control: chase overdue customer invoices and keep debtors under control.
- Management accounts: produce monthly management accounts and a short performance pack, including margin by department.
- Payroll and PAYE: run monthly payroll, pensions auto-enrolment and RTI submissions, and HMRC payments.
- VAT: prepare and submit quarterly VAT returns.
- Bookkeeping and Xero: keep Xero accurate and current and reconcile the bank (invoice entry sits with Desi).
- Systems and reporting: help establish clear, repeatable reporting and streamline how we work, using technology and automation to cut manual effort. Year-end: maintain clean records and support the accountant at year-end.
- Commercial input: flag issues and opportunities, and help with budgets and forward planning.
What we are looking for
Essential
- Solid bookkeeping experience and confidence with Xero.
- Payroll and VAT experience, and a good head for cash flow.
- Organised, accurate, discreet and trustworthy, able to work on your own initiative.
- Commercially curious — interested in how the business works, not just the ledgers.
Desirable
- Part-qualified or qualified (AAT, ACCA or CIMA).
- Management accounts experience.
- Digitally confident, with an eye for improving processes and using technology and automation well.
- Experience in a small owner-managed business, retail or the food trade.
Terms
Employed, part-time, 15 hours per week, £1,500 per month.
Based at our Buckingham shop.
Paid Holidays & Pension.
Immediate start preffered.
Pay: £1,500.00 per month
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
