About this role
A private family is seeking an experienced Household Accountant / Finance Manager to oversee the financial administration of its London home and Buckinghamshire country estate. This is a hands-on role combining accounting, budgeting, payroll, supplier management, purchasing and cost control. The successful candidate will take ownership of day-to-day financial matters, resolving issues directly with suppliers and service providers so that the principals can focus on other priorities.
Key Responsibilities
Accounting & Reporting
- Manage day-to-day bookkeeping, invoice processing, payment runs and monthly bank and card reconciliations using Xero and Dext.
- Maintain accurate records, separating personal, household, estate, staff and business-related expenditure.
- Prepare monthly financial reports, annual budgets and year-end accounts for the family’s accountants.
- Track significant payments, refunds, credits and potential tax-related items.
Cost Control & Utilities
- Maintain oversight of utilities, insurance and recurring contracts across both properties and the estate.
- Monitor bills and consumption, investigate anomalies, challenge estimated charges and manage renewals and supplier switching.
- Identify opportunities to reduce costs and ensure contracts remain competitive.
Purchasing & Expense Cards
- Source and compare quotations, negotiate terms and oversee purchases and major works from order through to delivery and final invoice.
- Manage routine household and estate purchasing, supplier relationships, returns and warranty claims.
- Administer staff expense cards, including limits, receipts, monthly reviews and reconciliation.
Payroll & Staff Administration
- Lead the transition of payroll from an external bureau and manage in-house payroll for approximately ten employees.
- Manage PAYE and HMRC Real Time Information submissions, starters and leavers, statutory payments, pensions and year-end reporting.
- Act as the first point of contact for staff pay, expenses and reimbursement queries.
Liaison & Projects
- Handle supplier, utility, bank, insurer and HMRC correspondence, queries, negotiations and claims.
- Prepare and coordinate payment approvals requiring the principals’ involvement.
- Maintain a clear budget tracker for an ongoing construction project, recording committed, invoiced, paid and remaining costs.
The Ideal Candidate
- AAT Level 4 qualified or equivalent, with several years’ experience managing a full set of accounts through to trial balance.
- Strong Xero knowledge and Xero certification.
- Proven experience running in-house UK payroll, including RTI, auto-enrolment, statutory payments and year-end, and transferring payroll from a bureau.
- CIPP Level 3 Payroll Technician Certificate or Xero UK payroll certification preferred.
- Experience managing budgets, project costs, suppliers, utilities and purchasing, with a track record of negotiating and controlling costs.
- Private household, family office or country estate experience preferred.
- Experience with Soldo or a similar staff expense-card platform advantageous.
- Highly organised, meticulous, self-motivated and discreet, with excellent telephone and communication skills.
- Full UK driving licence.
This role suits someone who combines strong financial control with a practical, hands-on approach and is comfortable taking ownership of issues through to resolution.