Overview of the Role
Role: Senior Financial Administrator
Reporting to: Client Manager
Salary: £30,000 to £35,000 depending on experience and qualification level
Location: Remote - working from home in the UK
Reporting to: Client Manager
Salary: £30,000 to £35,000 depending on experience and qualification level
Location: Remote - working from home in the UK
This role in financial administration provides a solid grounding in transaction processing and client support, developing valuable skills that can open pathways for future career progression. At a senior administrator level, this expertise is key to ensuring financial accuracy, compliance and efficiency, particularly for businesses experiencing rapid growth.
Reporting to the Client Manager, the Senior Financial Administrator collaborates with Financial Accountants, Financial Administrators and our bookkeeping support team to ensure a consistent, high-quality service in line with UK accounting practices.
On a day-to-day basis, the Senior Financial Administrator is responsible for financial recordkeeping, payroll processing, VAT returns and payment runs, making sure clients maintain financial clarity and meet their compliance obligations.
The role also involves working closely with clients, being front line for the majority of queries and providing accurate, timely support that helps them optimise processes and focus on growing their businesses with the support of the Financial Accountants and Client Managers.
At Onside Accounting, our Senior Financial Administrators play a vital role in supporting our external bookkeeping support team to deliver high-quality services to clients. Each Senior Financial Administrator is allocated an external bookkeeping support team member and they will be responsible for providing training and support to that team member, as well as doing reviews of the basic bookkeeping work before finalising.
This position offers the chance to develop specialist expertise in financial administration, gaining exposure to a wide range of client scenarios while making a meaningful contribution to the success of innovative businesses.
Reporting to the Client Manager, the Senior Financial Administrator collaborates with Financial Accountants, Financial Administrators and our bookkeeping support team to ensure a consistent, high-quality service in line with UK accounting practices.
On a day-to-day basis, the Senior Financial Administrator is responsible for financial recordkeeping, payroll processing, VAT returns and payment runs, making sure clients maintain financial clarity and meet their compliance obligations.
The role also involves working closely with clients, being front line for the majority of queries and providing accurate, timely support that helps them optimise processes and focus on growing their businesses with the support of the Financial Accountants and Client Managers.
At Onside Accounting, our Senior Financial Administrators play a vital role in supporting our external bookkeeping support team to deliver high-quality services to clients. Each Senior Financial Administrator is allocated an external bookkeeping support team member and they will be responsible for providing training and support to that team member, as well as doing reviews of the basic bookkeeping work before finalising.
This position offers the chance to develop specialist expertise in financial administration, gaining exposure to a wide range of client scenarios while making a meaningful contribution to the success of innovative businesses.
Key Responsibilities
Provide regular support and guidance to Financial Administrators and our external bookkeeping support team, helping them build confidence and develop their skills.
Oversee the maintenance of clients’ financial records and bank reconciliations in Xero, primarily by supporting the external bookkeeping team, stepping in to complete elements of the work directly where required. The SFA will typically focus on larger, more complex and newly onboarded clients.
Working to strict deadlines to close accounting records for month-end and year-end reporting.
Prepare quarterly VAT returns in line with HMRC requirements.
Manage and prepare monthly payroll for clients, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time.
Support supplier payment runs for clients, maintaining accuracy and efficiency in processing payments.
Personal and Continued Professional Development
You will undertake, achieve and maintain the mandatory level of informal and formal training required to meet the company’s expectations in terms of service standards, client service, quality and performance. If not yet completed, you will do so in line with the Assistant Accounting qualification - Level 4. This training programme is designed to develop the core knowledge, skills, and behaviours in accounting principles, systems, and tools, building the foundations for a successful career within an Accountancy and Finance function.
For the Assistant Accounting qualification - Level 4 which you may be undertaking, you will complete this through self-study in your own time and not during working hours, however the company will bear the cost of this training and related examinations (first sit only).
Additionally, you are expected to:
For the Assistant Accounting qualification - Level 4 which you may be undertaking, you will complete this through self-study in your own time and not during working hours, however the company will bear the cost of this training and related examinations (first sit only).
Additionally, you are expected to:
Participate in training and support delivered by other Onside employees or external service providers;
Take responsibility for your own professional development, learning and performance and demonstrate skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work.
In support of your continued personal and professional development, you will:
Participate in an annual Performance Appraisal to review the individual’s performance against agreed targets;
Take responsibility for maintaining and updating your own personal and/or professional development, learning, performance and skills to support colleagues, clients, raise standards of service, and improve the performance of the wider team
In conjunction with your Line Manager, ensure that your performance is discussed and aligned to company’s expectations and objectives.
Qualifications and Confidentiality
Qualifications
You should, as a minimum, possess strong grades at GCSE in Mathematics and English (at least grades A-B / 7-9). You should have completed your Assistant Accounting qualification – Level 3 as a minimum, and have completed, or be working towards the completion of, your Assistant Accounting qualification - Level 4 and should have excellent results on examinations taken to date.
If you are AAT Level 4 qualified and studying towards ACA/ACCA, you may be eligible for support in completing this through commercial learning – self-study in your own time and not during working hours. The company will bear the cost of this training and related examinations (first sit only).
If you are AAT Level 4 qualified and studying towards ACA/ACCA, you may be eligible for support in completing this through commercial learning – self-study in your own time and not during working hours. The company will bear the cost of this training and related examinations (first sit only).
Confidentiality
In the performance of the duties outlined in this job description, you may have access to confidential information relating to client companies, their directors and employees, and their financial position. You may also have access to information relating to the company as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded and managed as strictly confidential.
You will be expected and required to undertake and complete any other duties as deemed relevant to position and the business needs of the company. This job description will be subject to periodic review and amendment in consultation with the post-holder(s).
You will be expected and required to undertake and complete any other duties as deemed relevant to position and the business needs of the company. This job description will be subject to periodic review and amendment in consultation with the post-holder(s).
Skills and Experience
You will have 2+ years of experience working in a UK accounting practice in an administrative role, with a strong emphasis on bookkeeping and financial record-keeping.
You should be highly proficient in working within a modern, paperless practice environment and demonstrate a deep understanding of Xero, bookkeeping principles, and payroll processes. A solid grasp of financial controls and best practices is essential, along with the ability to document and communicate these processes effectively to colleagues to ensure consistency and compliance.
This role is ideal for an individual seeking to build a long-term career in bookkeeping and financial operations. The position provides excellent exposure to core financial processes and offers significant professional development opportunities. You should be ambitious and committed to developing your expertise in bookkeeping, payroll, tax compliance, and financial management.
You will be a well-organised, adaptable individual with strong self-management and time management skills. You must be capable of prioritising and managing multiple client workloads in a remote and flexible working environment, ensuring efficiency and accuracy in all financial tasks.
Additionally, you are expected to have these key skills and attributes:
You should be highly proficient in working within a modern, paperless practice environment and demonstrate a deep understanding of Xero, bookkeeping principles, and payroll processes. A solid grasp of financial controls and best practices is essential, along with the ability to document and communicate these processes effectively to colleagues to ensure consistency and compliance.
This role is ideal for an individual seeking to build a long-term career in bookkeeping and financial operations. The position provides excellent exposure to core financial processes and offers significant professional development opportunities. You should be ambitious and committed to developing your expertise in bookkeeping, payroll, tax compliance, and financial management.
You will be a well-organised, adaptable individual with strong self-management and time management skills. You must be capable of prioritising and managing multiple client workloads in a remote and flexible working environment, ensuring efficiency and accuracy in all financial tasks.
Additionally, you are expected to have these key skills and attributes:
Bookkeeping Expertise – A strong foundation in bookkeeping, with excellent attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy and best practices.
IT & Software Proficiency – Advanced knowledge of Xero, along with strong skills in Excel, Word, and Outlook. The ability to quickly learn and adapt to new software and accounting processes is essential.
Process Development & Documentation – Ability to create and refine financial control processes, ensuring best practices are clearly documented and shared across the team.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills – Strong ability to establish, maintain, and develop effective relationships with clients, colleagues, and external organisations. Professional credibility and discretion in handling sensitive financial information are essential.
Time Management & Flexibility – The capability to manage workloads effectively, work under pressure, and meet deadlines, particularly while balancing work and study commitments.
Passion for Finance & Business – A keen interest in finance, bookkeeping, and business operations, particularly in supporting innovative start-ups with their unique accounting and bookkeeping needs.
Residency and Visa Status
You must be resident in and have a legal right to work in the UK.
This is a home-working role with all staff at Onside working from home across the UK.
This is a home-working role with all staff at Onside working from home across the UK.