Job Description
Senior Bookkeeper / Finance Associate
Term: Fixed term 1 year contract, with potential for extension
Fee: In the region of £27,000pa pro rata dependent on experience
Hours: 3 days per week
About us
Founded in 2015, Lougher has established itself as a respected and innovative art gallery in the international contemporary art market.
Our vision is to become a market leader and we are now looking for a senior bookkeeper / finance associate to support us with the next stage of our growth.
This is a rare opportunity to work in a highly dynamic industry. With our office in Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, we are a young, professional, tight-knit team with a supportive and friendly culture.
The role
The successful candidate will be responsible for our core bookkeeping, the development of our internal finance function and other finance-related tasks.
You will have minimum 3 years’ experience in bookkeeping and finance and be excited by the prospect of being responsible and accountable for our day-to-day bookkeeping, with support from the wider team, including our Managing Director (ACA-qualified). You will have excellent attention to detail to ensure our reported numbers accurately reflect the performance and business’s financial position.
We are looking for an ambitious individual motivated by the opportunity to challenge our current way of doing things and support with the identification and realisation of efficiencies and value-add initiatives.
The role will be 3 days per week to start, with the potential for this to increase. You will benefit from training and a handover from our existing outsourced bookkeepers.
Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be responsible for all aspects of our bookkeeping and monthly accounts preparation, including but not limited to:
· Sales ledger and purchase ledger management
· Purchase invoice and expense retrieval and management
· Stockbook management and reconciliation
· Processing monthly bank reconciliations
· Credit control and payment runs
· Payroll and PAYE returns and reconciliations
· Month-end and year-end processes, including journal entries and accruals
· Additional ad-hoc work to help with the growth and improvement of the company
What skills do you need?
Essential
Proficiency with accounting software (Xero ideally but not essential)
Minimum AAT Level 4
Knowledge of all aspects of bookkeeping, including accounts payable and receivable
Demonstrable Intermediate Excel knowledge
Keen attention to detail
Strong computer and numerical literacy
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Ambition and innovativeness to automate and refine processes to improve efficiency
Demonstrable high level of initiative and self-motivation
Desire and capability to work independently, adapt to change and organise workload to fit company needs
Desirable
Proficiency in MS Office and SharePoint
Payroll and PAYE experience
Understanding of stock ledgers and management
Experience preparing VAT returns, and knowledge of the VAT margin scheme for works of art
Experience supporting financial reporting and analysis, and monthly management accounts
Experience using PowerBI or an appetite to learn
Interest in the contemporary art market
Benefits
Flexible hours and hybrid working – we are looking for someone based in or near Bristol who can be office-based
Competitive remuneration commensurate with experience
Autonomy to shape how the company’s internal finance function is built
Potential for growth and advancement within the company
Sound good?
How to apply
If you are inspired by the role and would like to apply, please send a CV and cover letter/video recording to hannah@loughercontemporary.com.
Your cover letter (up to 1,000 words) or video recording (no more than 5 minutes) should answer the following:
Why are you interested in this role with Lougher?
How do you feel your skills and experience to date will allow you to meet the requirements of the role?
What attracts you to working for a small business?
Deadline for applications is 5pm Monday 6th May 2024.
Please note that we will not accept applications through LinkedIn ‘EasyApply’.