Bookkeeper, MTD and Payroll assistant
Office based
Full-time
[Salary / Competitive – depending on experience]
About the role
This role sits right at the heart of how our practice runs day to day.
As our Bookkeeper, Making Tax Digital & Payroll Assistant, you’ll be trusted with keeping client records accurate, systems connected, and submissions delivered calmly and on time. You won’t just be “posting transactions” or “running payroll”, you’ll be the person who makes sure everything is set up properly in the first place, and keeps working properly month after month.
A big part of the role is owning the Making Tax Digital process for your clients. That means setting them up correctly, checking the connections work, keeping digital links in place, spotting issues early and fixing them before deadlines are at risk. If MTD is going to behave itself, it will be because you’ve made sure it does.
Alongside that, you’ll manage day‑to‑day bookkeeping, VAT return preparation and payroll processing for a portfolio of clients. You’ll work to clear processes, keep tidy records, and hand over clean, review‑ready work to our senior team. When something doesn’t look right, you’ll question it. When information is missing, you’ll chase it early. When systems wobble, you’ll steady them.
This is very much a delivery and ownership role, not advisory. You’ll have support around you, but we’re looking for someone who takes pride in being reliable, organised and quietly excellent at keeping things running smoothly.
If you enjoy structure, systems, accuracy, and the satisfaction of knowing that everything is under control, this role will suit you brilliantly.
About the role
We’re looking for a Bookkeeper, Making Tax Digital & Payroll Assistant to join our accountancy practice and take real ownership of the day-to-day delivery of bookkeeping, MTD compliance and payroll for a portfolio of clients.
This is a hands on delivery role, not advisory. You’ll be responsible for keeping client records clean, systems set up properly and submissions running smoothly, so our senior team can focus on review and advisory work.
In short, you’ll be the person who makes sure the engine room works.
What you’ll actually be doing
Your work will fall into a few clear areas:
Bookkeeping
- Keeping client bookkeeping up to date and accurate
- Maintaining bank feeds and reconciling bank accounts
- Making sure transactions are coded sensibly and consistently
- Spotting issues early and raising questions before they become problems
Making Tax Digital (MTD)
- Owning the process of setting clients up for MTD VAT
- Making sure software is configured correctly from the start
- Managing authorisations, digital links and system connections
- Keeping an eye on ongoing compliance so submissions don’t fail unexpectedly
- Being the go-to person for keeping the MTD process running smoothly
VAT returns
- Preparing VAT returns from the bookkeeping data
- Checking for anything unusual before submission
- Submitting returns using MTD-approved software
- Making sure there’s a clear audit trail for every period
Payroll
- Processing client payrolls to agreed schedules
- Submitting RTI returns on time
- Setup of employer paye schemes and employer pension schemes
- Issuing payslips and payroll reports
- Keeping employee and payroll records accurate and up to date
Client and team support
- Requesting information from clients clearly and professionally
- Following up missing data before deadlines loom
- Providing clean handovers to senior team members
- Keeping client files organised, tidy and easy to follow
What “good” looks like
You’ll know you’re doing well when:
- Bookkeeping files are clean and review-ready
- MTD submissions go through without drama
- Payroll runs smoothly and on time
- Senior team members aren’t chasing avoidable admin
- Clients feel guided rather than confused
- Deadlines feel controlled, not stressful
This role is likely to suit you if
- You have a minimum of 3 years experience in bookkeeping and payroll in an accountancy practice environment
- Payroll qualifications are desirable but not essential based on experience
- You’re comfortable with cloud bookkeeping and payroll software
- You like processes, systems and things being set up properly
- You’re accurate, organised and not afraid to ask questions
- You take pride in doing things thoroughly, not just quickly
- You understand that compliance really does matter
What you’ll get
- A clearly defined role with proper ownership and purpose
- Support from seniors and managers who value good delivery
- Sensible processes and realistic workloads
- A professional environment with a friendly, down-to-earth culture
- The opportunity to grow as the practice grows
No agencies at this time, thank you.
How to apply (please don’t send the “generic” cover letter)
Send your CV and a short note telling us why this role suits you.
And to help us spot the people who actually read the advert, please answer this question in your note:
What’s your most useful “superpower”, and how have you used it to save the day
Experience:
- Self Assessment Preparation: 3 years (preferred)
- Bookkeeping and Payroll: 3 years (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- AAT level 4 qualification (preferred)
Work Location: In person
