Bookkeeper

About Pickle

Pickle partners with founders, operators, and business owners who need dependable books, accurate reporting, and someone trustworthy to keep the numbers in order. The firm supports ambitious, fast-moving organisations across different industries by providing experienced fractional professionals who work as a reliable extension of the team.

This is not a standard employed position. Professionals operate on a fractional basis across several client assignments, deliver strong-quality output, manage their own time, and build lasting client relationships through professionalism, expertise, and consistency.

If you value variety, independence, and direct collaboration with growing businesses, this could be a strong fit.

About the Opportunity

The client is a rapidly expanding, AI-led business working at significant pace and scale. They are seeking an experienced UK Bookkeeper to own daily finance operations and keep the finance function accurate, orderly, and dependable.

This is a dedicated contractor engagement that requires full-time availability and a proactive, hands-on approach. The person in this role will be a key part of the operational foundation of the business, supporting financial accuracy in a fast-changing environment.

The role suits someone who enjoys high-growth settings, takes responsibility seriously, and can manage a busy workload confidently without close supervision.

Role Overview

You will be responsible for maintaining precise financial records, handling reconciliations, supporting month-end activity, and ensuring compliance with UK financial regulations and reporting obligations.

The organisation moves quickly and priorities may change with little notice, so the right candidate must stay detail-oriented under pressure and continue to deliver excellent work in a dynamic setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Keep bookkeeping records accurate across multiple entities and accounts
• Carry out reconciliations on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis
• Handle accounts payable and expense processing
• Support accounts receivable tasks and monitor payments
• Prepare monthly management accounts and the related supporting schedules
• Complete and file VAT returns
• Work in line with HMRC expectations and UK accounting standards
• Support compliance with Making Tax Digital requirements
• Look into and resolve variances, errors, and finance-related queries
• Maintain documentation and records that are ready for audit
• Assist with month-end and year-end closing activities
• Coordinate with external accountants and other finance stakeholders when needed
• Spot opportunities to improve processes and increase operational efficiency

Requirements

Experience:

• At least 5 years of bookkeeping experience for UK-based businesses
• Solid knowledge of UK bookkeeping and accounting fundamentals
• Proven experience handling VAT returns and staying VAT compliant
• Hands-on familiarity with HMRC rules and requirements
• Clear understanding of Making Tax Digital
• Previous responsibility for preparing management accounts
• Experience supporting businesses during rapid growth or scaling
• Comfort working in environments where priorities can shift quickly

Systems and technical skills:

• Strong knowledge of double-entry bookkeeping
• Advanced reconciliation capability
• High attention to detail and financial accuracy
• Strong Excel and spreadsheet ability
• Ability to diagnose issues, investigate mismatches, and apply fixes
• Experience using modern finance technology stacks

Software experience:

• NetSuite is highly desirable
• Xero, QuickBooks Online, Dext, and ApprovalMax are beneficial
• Other cloud-based accounting and finance platforms are also useful

Personal attributes:

• Well-organised and able to work independently
• Comfortable taking full ownership of tasks and outcomes
• Able to perform effectively with little supervision
• Commercially aware with strong problem-solving ability
• Skilled at prioritising in a fast-moving environment
• Calm when under pressure and able to juggle competing deadlines
• Strong written and verbal English communication
• Dependable, responsive, and accountable

Availability

This contractor engagement requires:

• Availability during UK business hours
• 160 hours per month, Monday to Friday
• Full-time dedication for the duration of the engagement
• Immediate availability is preferred

Candidates with long notice periods are unlikely to be suitable because the need is immediate.

Why This Role?

This is an opportunity to work with a business operating at the leading edge of AI innovation and growth. You will have real ownership, exposure to a high-performing team, and the chance to make a meaningful contribution to the finance operations of a rapidly scaling company.

This role is a good fit for someone who enjoys being the person who keeps operations running smoothly in the background while the business focuses on growth.

Not the main ingredient. But the one that brings balance.