Lead Bookkeeper

Lead Bookkeeper

Location: Cannock

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent (Office Based - 35-hour week)

Salary: £35,000-£38,000 per annum, depending on experience

Benefits

• 20 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays
• Annual bonus
• Incentive payments for successful new client introductions

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Lead Bookkeeper to join our growing accountancy practice. This is an excellent opportunity for an AAT-qualified professional with at least five years' recent practice experience supporting SME clients. You will manage a varied client portfolio while leading and supporting a team of two bookkeepers.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage bookkeeping for a portfolio of SME clients.
• Process accounts payable and supplier reconciliations.
• Complete bank reconciliations and VAT returns.
• Process weekly, fortnightly and monthly payrolls.
• Ensure PAYE, RTI and pension compliance.
• Prepare month-end management accounts.
• Support year-end accounts preparation.
• Resolve bookkeeping queries and discrepancies.
• Build strong client relationships.
• Review bookkeeping work for accuracy and compliance.
• Lead, mentor and support junior bookkeeping team members.
• Allocate workloads and ensure deadlines are achieved.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and efficiency.

Requirements

• AAT Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting.
• MAAT and/or AATQB qualified.
• Xero Certified.
• Minimum five years' experience within an accountancy practice.
• Experience managing bookkeeping for multiple SME clients.
• Strong VAT and payroll knowledge.
• Previous experience leading or mentoring junior staff.
• Advanced user of Xero, Sage Line 50 and Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with Sage Payroll and cloud accounting software.

About You

You are organised, accurate and proactive, with excellent communication skills and the ability to work independently. You enjoy building client relationships, solving problems and supporting colleagues to achieve high standards. You take pride in delivering accurate, compliant bookkeeping and are confident managing multiple priorities in a busy accountancy practice.