Assistant Accountant in Chester - Hoot Recruit Ltd

Assistant Accountant

Permanent | Part-Time | 16 hours per week over 3 days

Salary: £32,000 per annum pro rata

Home-based with weekly or fortnightly meetings in Chester

Start date: September 2026.

The Opportunity

We are looking for an experienced, organised and client-focused Assistant Accountant to work closely with the Lead Accountant, supporting a varied portfolio of micro and small limited companies, sole traders, individuals, charities, and clients within the construction sector.

This permanent, part-time role offers home-based working and flexibility over working days. It would suit someone with UK accountancy practice experience who is comfortable working autonomously, managing multiple deadlines and building professional relationships with SME clients.

Key Responsibilities

You will:

• Assist the Lead Accountant with accounting and tax preparation, calculations, compliance, and reporting.
• Prepare FRS 102 and FRS 105 accounts for limited companies, alongside accounts for sole traders and charities.
• Prepare corporation tax returns (CT600) and individual and partnership tax returns.
• Manage VAT compliance, registrations and returns, including relevant Making Tax Digital (MTD) requirements.
• Undertake bookkeeping and process weekly and monthly payroll.
• Support pension administration and compliance, including NEST.
• Prepare CIS calculations, verifications, and submissions.
• Onboard new clients and complete relevant AML, identification, and customer due-diligence checks.
• Maintain accurate client information and records within the central CRM/database.
• Communicate with clients regarding information requirements, deadlines, and compliance matters.
• Liaise professionally with HMRC and Companies House where required.
• Support invoicing and credit control.
• Attend occasional client and team meetings.
• Undertake regular training and CPD.

About You

To be successful in this role, you should have:

• 2–3 years’ UK practice accounting experience, ideally working with SMEs.
• A minimum AAT Level 4/full membership qualification, or ACA, ACCA, or ATT qualification.
• Demonstrable competence in UK tax compliance relevant to SMEs and individuals.
• A good understanding of MTD, payroll and CIS regulations.
• A good understanding of FRS 102 and FRS 105 UK accounting standards.
• A comprehensive understanding of applicable AML, client identification, and customer due-diligence requirements.
• Excellent communication skills and confidence dealing directly with clients and HMRC.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• The ability to work autonomously while responding effectively to guidance and instruction.
• The ability to work from home and attend meetings in Chester weekly or fortnightly, as reasonably required.

Experience using software such as Xero, FreeAgent, TaxCalc, BrightPay, HMRC systems and Microsoft Excel would be advantageous.

Desirable: Experience or confidence with social media and marketing.

What We Offer

• £32,000 per annum pro rata
• 16 hours per week over 3 days
• Flexibility over working days, Monday to Friday
• Home-based working
• Weekly or fortnightly team meetings in Chester
• 22 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, pro rata
• Workplace pension in accordance with applicable automatic-enrolment requirements
• Business laptop provided
• Regular training and CPD opportunities
• 3-month probationary period

Professional Standards

Given the nature of the role, the successful candidate will be expected to maintain high standards of confidentiality and professional conduct.

Personal, financial and client information must be handled securely and in accordance with applicable UK data protection legislation, including the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018, together with the organisation’s data protection and information-security requirements.

The postholder will also be expected to comply with applicable professional, legal, and regulatory requirements, including those relating to anti-money laundering, client identification and verification, tax compliance, confidentiality, and conflicts of interest.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and maintaining a working environment free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, and victimisation.

Recruitment and selection decisions will be based on objective, role-related criteria. We welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates from all backgrounds.

Selection Process

The recruitment process will consist of:

• An initial video interview.
• A second, face-to-face interview.

Any offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory references, verification of identity, relevant qualifications and professional memberships, satisfactory evidence of the right to work in the UK, and any other checks required and lawful for the role.

How to Apply

If you have UK accountancy practice experience, enjoy working with SME clients and are looking for a flexible part-time opportunity where you can take genuine responsibility for your work, we would be pleased to hear from you.

Please apply with your CV and a brief covering statement outlining your relevant accountancy practice experience and availability.

Start date: September 2026.