Bookkeeper in Luton, Bedfordshire

Bookkeeper - Luton

Cadence Search are assisting this fast paced and growing residential property development business in seeking a Book Keeper to join their ambitious team. With multiple projects and an expanding workload they are seeking an experienced, organised and proactive Bookkeeper to take ownership of our day-to-day bookkeeping and financial administration.

Working closely with the Head of Commercial, project teams and external accountants, you will maintain accurate financial records, reconcile invoices and accounts, prepare weekly payment schedules and support effective financial control across our developments.

This is a hands-on role suited to someone who understands construction accounting, follows up discrepancies and takes pride in keeping accounts accurate and up to date.

Key responsibilities

Bookkeeping and accounting systems

• Maintain accurate and current financial records using Xero and JNC.
• Record purchase invoices, sales invoices, receipts, payments and journals.
• Allocate expenditure to the correct company, development, project and cost code.
• Reconcile bank accounts, company credit cards and other control accounts.

Purchase invoices and supplier reconciliation

• Check invoices against purchase orders, delivery records, agreed rates and authorised works.
• Obtain the appropriate approval before including invoices for payment.
• Reconcile supplier statements and investigate missing invoices, duplicate charges, credit notes and other discrepancies.
• Liaise with suppliers, subcontractors and site teams to resolve queries promptly.

CIS administration and returns

• Maintain subcontractor records and coordinate CIS verification.
• Calculate and record applicable CIS deductions.
• Prepare and submit monthly CIS returns, working with the external accountant where necessary.
• Prepare and issue subcontractor payment and deduction statements.
• Reconcile CIS liabilities and prepare payments for approval.

Weekly staff and subcontractor payments

• Collate and check approved timesheets, attendance records, agreed rates and supporting information for weekly paid staff and subcontractors.
• Reconcile proposed payments against authorised hours, work completed and relevant deductions.
• Prepare weekly payment schedules and certify that the supporting records and calculations have been checked.

VAT, month-end and accountant support

• Maintain accurate VAT records and support the preparation and submission of VAT returns.
• Apply the appropriate VAT treatment, including construction domestic reverse charge where applicable, with accountant guidance.
• Complete regular month-end reconciliations and provide information for management accounts.

Cash flow and financial reporting

• Prepare weekly payment forecasts and maintain visibility of upcoming commitments.
• Monitor outstanding customer balances and follow up overdue payments.
• Provide regular summaries of bank balances, creditors, debtors and outstanding queries.

Essential experience and skills

• Proven bookkeeping experience, ideally within construction or property development.
• Practical experience of CIS administration and returns.
• Strong working knowledge of Xero.
• Experience checking weekly payroll or subcontractor payment schedules.
• Strong invoice, supplier statement and bank reconciliation skills.
• Good Excel skills and confidence working with accounting systems.

Desirable

• Experience using JNC.
• AAT qualification, bookkeeping qualification or equivalent practical experience. (Crestview are willing to fund an AAT course if the preferred candidate wishes to progress their career).