Bookkeeping for a Property Developer

We are seeking a highly capable contract-based Senior Bookkeeper to manage core financial activities. The successful candidate will take ownership of our day-to-day finance operations, working from our Notting Hill, London office 1–2 days per week. They will work directly with the CEO, partner with our existing payroll and VAT contacts, and liaise with our external accountants.

The role spans the full breadth of a property developer's finance function — bookkeeping, payroll, VAT, invoicing, cash flow, reporting and finance administration — across all our entities.

This is not a pure bookkeeping role. We are looking for someone who combines strong financial fundamentals with an operational mindset — someone who can spot when a process is broken and fix it, not just maintain what is already there.

Essential Requirements
• Minimum 5 years of proven bookkeeping / accounting experience.
• Property development, construction or real estate experience, ideally on the client (developer) side.
• Excellent working knowledge of Excel and at least one major accounting platform (Xero, Sage, QuickBooks).
• Experience preparing and submitting quarterly VAT returns.
• Experience processing payroll (Xero Payroll preferred).
• Highly organised, proactive and able to manage multiple workstreams.
• Confident communicator — written and verbal.
• Authorised to work in United Kingdom, no need for visa sponsorship.

Desirable Requirements
• Familiarity with development appraisals — GDV, profit on cost, IRR, loan-to-cost / loan-to-value.
• Familiarity with CIS, VAT option to tax, SDLT, Section 106 agreements and CIL.
• Part-qualified or qualified accountant (AAT, CIMA, ACCA) — or working towards it.
• Exposure to Microsoft Project, SharePoint / One Drive.