Part-Time Accountant | Remote (South Africa) | Permanent (25 hours per week)

An opportunity for an experienced Accountant to take ownership of the finance function for a growing UK-based multi-company group. If you are technically strong, highly accurate and comfortable working independently with UK businesses, this role offers meaningful responsibility with genuine autonomy.

The successful candidate will manage the day-to-day and month-end finance operations across a group of UK companies, covering bookkeeping, management accounting, VAT, payroll, cashflow, reconciliations, financial reporting and compliance. You will work closely with UK-based Directors and be expected to manage routine finance matters proactively, including direct liaison with HMRC, suppliers, banking contacts and external accountants.

This is a hands-on accountant-level position rather than a transactional bookkeeping role. The ideal candidate will be capable of independently managing a multi-company finance function, identifying issues before they become problems and providing Directors with accurate, commercially useful financial information.

The client is a UK-based multi-company self-storage group operating across a growing portfolio of businesses and sites. The environment is entrepreneurial and operationally focused, with a lean structure that values accountability, responsiveness, accuracy and continuous improvement.

What You'll Do

• Manage accurate day-to-day bookkeeping across multiple UK companies using Xero and OCR invoice-capture tools

• Process income, expenditure, invoices and payments

• Manage accounts payable and receivable, supplier contracts and approval workflows

• Complete regular bank and credit card reconciliations with supporting documentation

• Monitor cashflow requirements and prepare weekly cashflow updates

• Produce monthly management accounts, including P&L, balance sheet, cashflow and variance analysis

• Prepare and maintain detailed balance sheet reconciliations

• Reconcile intercompany balances and manage cross-charges between group companies

• Maintain the fixed asset register

• Support budgeting, forecasting and financial modelling

• Prepare and submit VAT returns to HMRC

• Manage payroll processing and related journals

• Liaise directly with HMRC on VAT, payroll, compliance and accounting matters

• Manage Companies House submissions and annual confirmation statements

• Prepare information for external accountants for year-end accounts, tax computations and audits

• Set up supplier payments and manage online banking processes

• Oversee intercompany recharges, invoicing and reimbursements

• Maintain effective financial controls and approval processes

• Identify opportunities for cost savings and operational efficiencies

• Support the onboarding of new sites or acquisitions

• Provide ad-hoc financial analysis and insight to Directors

• Recommend and implement improvements to finance processes and workflows

What You Bring

• Qualified or part-qualified ACA, ACCA or CIMA, or at least 5 years' experience in a senior bookkeeping or management accounting role

• Extensive hands-on Xero experience, including OCR invoice-capture tools such as Hubdoc or similar

• Proven experience working with UK companies and UK accounting practices

• Direct experience communicating with HMRC regarding VAT, payroll and compliance matters

• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, double-entry, reconciliations and month-end processes

• Experience managing multi-company or group structures

• Advanced Excel or Google Sheets capability

• Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to work autonomously, prioritise effectively and meet strict deadlines

• A proactive, analytical and solutions-focused approach

• Confidence communicating with UK suppliers, service providers and other stakeholders

• A reliable internet connection and secure remote working environment

Experience within service-based or subscription-based businesses, remote work with international clients, and integrated cloud-based or paperless finance environments would be advantageous.

What Success Looks Like

• The finance function remains accurate, organised and responsive

• Monthly reporting and other deliverables are completed consistently and on time

• VAT, payroll, HMRC and Companies House requirements are managed effectively

• Directors receive clear, reliable and timely financial information

• Queries from suppliers, banking contacts, HMRC and other stakeholders are handled proactively

• Cashflow and reconciliations are maintained to a high standard

• Issues are identified and escalated early, with practical solutions proposed

• Finance processes become increasingly efficient and well controlled

• The successful candidate takes genuine ownership of the finance function

Working Hours and Structure

This is a remote contractor position offering 20-30 hours per week.

The preferred working hours are Monday to Friday, 11:00am to 3:00pm UK time. Alternative arrangements within normal UK business hours, between 9:00am and 5:00pm UK time, may be considered where agreed in advance and aligned with operational requirements.

Availability during the UK working day is essential. Candidates who can only work outside UK business hours will not be suitable for this position.

The role is deliverables-based, with flexibility around working hours provided deadlines, reporting requirements and agreed outputs are consistently met. The successful candidate will also participate in weekly check-ins with the Directors.

Before progressing to interview, candidates must be comfortable with the contractor structure, remuneration and working-hour requirements and must have considered any existing employment, study or other commitments that could affect their ability to fulfil the role.