UK Accounts & Bookkeeping Senior

Sovereign Express Trade Limited is seeking a mid-level UK Accounts & Bookkeeping Senior to join its expanding team in Rawalpindi and collaborate closely with the UK Accountancy Practice. The ideal candidate will have 4 to 7 years of relevant experience, with strong hands-on expertise in UK bookkeeping, VAT, and cloud accounting platforms such as Xero. This is a full-time, onsite role based in Rawalpindi, designed for professionals beyond entry-level or trainee status.

Key Responsibilities
- Manage a portfolio of UK bookkeeping clients, ensuring accurate and timely completion of tasks.
- Perform and review bookkeeping using Xero and other cloud accounting software.
- Prepare and review UK VAT Returns, ensuring compliance and accuracy.
- Conduct bank, balance sheet, debtors, and creditors reconciliations.
- Identify and correct errors such as incorrect coding, duplicate entries, or missing transactions in accounting records.
- Match and allocate receipts and payments against customer and supplier invoices.
- Review previous VAT Returns and accounting records to detect discrepancies.
- Prepare and post month-end journals and adjustments, including payroll, fixed assets, accruals, and prepayments.
- Compile accounts and supporting schedules for the Annual Accounts process.
- Maintain accurate and complete accounting records across multiple client assignments.
- Review and provide feedback on work completed by junior accountants or interns.
- Communicate effectively with UK-based colleagues and clients regarding client work and outstanding issues.
- Investigate and resolve accounting discrepancies independently.
- Take ownership of assigned client portfolios, ensuring high standards and adherence to deadlines.

Required Qualifications
- 4 to 7 years of relevant accounting experience, specifically within a UK accountancy practice. Candidates with more than 7 years will not be considered.
- Proven hands-on experience in UK bookkeeping and VAT processes.
- Strong proficiency in Xero and cloud accounting platforms.
- Experience managing UK bookkeeping clients independently.
- Skilled in bank and balance sheet reconciliations, journals, month-end adjustments, accruals, and prepayments.
- Ability to prepare accounts and supporting schedules.
- Experience reviewing junior staff work and providing guidance.
- Excellent written and spoken English communication skills.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and strong attention to detail.
- Candidates currently based in Rawalpindi or Islamabad are preferred due to onsite interview requirements.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits
- ACCA Part-Qualified, AAT Qualified, or relevant accounting/finance qualifications are preferred, though practical UK accountancy experience is prioritized over formal qualifications.
- Experience with QuickBooks and managing multiple UK clients is advantageous.
- Prior experience supervising or reviewing junior accounting staff is a plus.

Salary and Benefits
- Monthly salary range: PKR 150,000 – 180,000, commensurate with experience and technical skills.
- 22 days of annual leave plus UK bank holidays.
- Study support and career development opportunities.
- Annual performance reviews and performance-related bonuses.
- Professional, international working environment with career progression within a growing UK accountancy practice.

Recruitment Process
- Initial HR screening call.
- Technical assessment.
- Final interview with the UK team.

Candidates should be prepared to discuss their total years of relevant accounting experience, UK accountancy practice experience, current salary, number of UK bookkeeping clients managed, hands-on experience with Xero, and highest educational or professional qualifications. The role requires in-person attendance Monday to Friday, from 1:00 PM to 9:30 PM PKT, at the Rawalpindi office.