Payroll & Bookkeeping Specialist

VirtuHire

. Manage a portfolio of UK payroll, bookkeeping and CIS clients as their primary point of contact .

Posted 11/11/2026full-timeRemote • South AfricaMid-LevelSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates extensive experience in managing UK payroll and bookkeeping processes, including compliance with HMRC regulations and Making Tax Digital requirements. Proven ability to communicate effectively with clients and oversee bookkeeping teams while ensuring accuracy and quality in financial records.

Highest-signal resume keywords

UK Payroll ManagementXero ExperienceCIS Returns PreparationBookkeeping ExpertiseAttention to Detail

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Payroll ProcessingBookkeepingBank ReconciliationVAT ReturnsRTI SubmissionsP11DsP60sMonth-End ProcessesCIS300 SubmissionsStatutory Payments

Soft Skills

Organisational SkillsCommunication SkillsClient Relationship ManagementAttention to DetailTeam Leadership

Tools & Technologies

XeroBrightPayKarbonDextAutoEntry

Certifications & Qualifications

AATACCACIMASAIPACIPP

Industry Keywords

UK Payroll LegislationHMRC SystemsMaking Tax DigitalCISAccounting Practice

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Manage a portfolio of UK payroll, bookkeeping and CIS clients as their primary point of contact
Process weekly and monthly payrolls end to end, including RTI submissions, auto-enrolment pensions, statutory payments, starters and leavers, P11Ds, P60s and year-end processes
Prepare and submit monthly CIS returns, including contractor verifications and deductions
Handle full-cycle bookkeeping, including bank reconciliations, purchase and sales ledgers, month-end processes and UK VAT returns under Making Tax Digital requirements
Maintain accurate financial records and manage deadlines
Communicate directly with clients regarding payroll and bookkeeping needs
Work closely with the Operations Director and take responsibility for work quality and accuracy
Progressively take on responsibility for reviewing other bookkeepers' work and VAT returns, with longer-term progression toward overseeing the bookkeeping team

Requirements

What you’ll need

Minimum 3 years of hands-on UK payroll experience within an accounting practice, payroll bureau or outsourced environment, managing multiple external client payrolls (both weekly and monthly); single in-house payroll experience will not meet the requirement
Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation and HMRC systems, including RTI (FPS/EPS), auto-enrolment, statutory payments, P11Ds, P60s and year-end procedures
Practical experience preparing and submitting monthly CIS returns, including contractor verifications, deductions and CIS300 submissions
Strong UK bookkeeping experience across multiple clients, including reconciliations, ledgers, month-end processes and VAT returns under MTD
Strong Xero experience is essential
BrightPay experience strongly preferred
Familiarity with Karbon, Dext or AutoEntry advantageous
Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills
Ability to manage multiple client accounts independently
Confident communication skills and ability to handle client calls and build trusted client relationships
AAT, ACCA, CIMA, SAIPA or CIPP qualifications advantageous
Xero or BrightPay certifications advantageous
Previous experience reviewing work or supervising junior team members advantageous