Xero Bookkeeper & Finance Operations Assistant

Xero Bookkeeper & Finance Operations Assistant Type: Full-time contractor Hours: 40 hours per week, with regular overlap with Irish working hours Compensation: Competitive, based on experience Long-term role: Yes About Us: We’re an Irish accounting and finance advisory firm working with small and growing businesses. We are building a modern, technology-led accounting practice using tools such as Xero, ClickUp, Slack, ChatGPT and other automation platforms to make accounting and finance work more efficient. We are looking for a highly organised and reliable Xero Bookkeeper & Finance Operations Assistant to become a key part of our team. This is not a generic virtual assistant role. Your primary responsibility will be to help manage the day-to-day finance and accounting work for our clients, while also helping us maintain excellent internal processes and client workflows. The right person will be someone who takes ownership of their work, pays close attention to detail and does not simply follow instructions blindly. If something does not look right, we want you to investigate it and raise it. Key Responsibilities Your responsibilities will include: * Maintaining bookkeeping records in Xero * Completing bank and credit card reconciliations * Processing and reviewing purchase invoices and expenses * Assisting with accounts payable and accounts receivable * Identifying missing or unusual transactions * Preparing bookkeeping files for VAT returns and accountant review * Assisting with month-end bookkeeping and reconciliations * Maintaining supporting documentation and accounting records * Following up with clients for missing invoices, receipts and other information * Drafting and sending routine client email s * Maintaining client tasks and deadlines within ClickUp * Supporting the onboarding of new clients * Setting up and maintaining client records and workflows * Following PTB’s documented SOPs and checklists * Helping improve and document processes where appropriate * Identifying issues that require accountant review and escalating them clearly * Supporting payroll and other recurring finance administration where required As you develop in the role, there will be opportunities to take ownership of more client work and increasingly complex accounting tasks. What We Are Looking For Essential * Strong practical bookkeeping experience * Good working knowledge of Xero * Experience completing bank reconciliations * Understanding of basic accounting principles * Strong attention to detail * Excellent English, including the confidence and ability to make phone calls to or on behalf of clients. * Strong organisational skills * Ability to manage multiple clients and deadlines * Ability to work independently * Comfortable asking questions when something is unclear * Reliable internet connection and computer * Suitable private workspace for handling confidential financial information Highly Desirable * Experience working within a UK or Irish accounting practice * Experience managing bookkeeping for multiple clients * Experience with VAT preparation * Accounts payable and accounts receivable experience * Payroll experience * Month-end accounting experience * Balance sheet reconciliations * Experience communicating directly with clients * Experience using ClickUp, Asana, ---------- or similar task-management software * Experience documenting SOPs and improving processes * Strong Excel or Google Sheets skills Irish accounting or tax experience is helpful but not essential. We can teach the Irish-specific elements of the role to someone with strong accounting fundamentals. The Type of Person We Want We care as much about how you work as what you already know. A strong candidate will: * Take ownership of tasks rather than waiting to be chased * Notice when something does not make sense * Investigate problems before escalating them * Avoid guessing when they are unsure * Clearly