Accounting Associate

Ballards LLP; Worcester; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

25 days' annual leave

Pension

Life assurance

Electric car and cycle-to-work schemes

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Ballards LLP is seeking an experienced accounts professional to join its Business Services team in Worcester and Droitwich. The role suits someone part-qualified ACA/ACCA, AAT-qualified, or qualified by experience, with hands-on practice in preparing accounts and supporting working papers for clients.

You will handle year-end accounts, corporation and personal tax support, and bookkeeping, VAT and management accounts, with potential review and mentoring of junior staff. Hybrid working is offered.

Qualifications

• Part-qualified ACA/ACCA or AAT qualification or QBE with practice experience.
• Experience preparing accounts and supporting working papers for clients.
• Willingness to develop across corporation and personal tax compliance.

Responsibilities

• Prepare year-end statutory accounts and working papers for a range of clients.
• Prepare corporation tax computations and returns, and assist with personal tax returns.
• Bookkeeping, VAT return preparation and management accounts work.
• Liaise with clients to obtain information and resolve queries.
• Support managers and portfolio holders in planning and completing client compliance by deadlines.
• Review straightforward accounts or bookkeeping work and support junior colleagues.
• Coach and share knowledge with trainees and junior team members.
• Maintain accurate working papers and high standards of technical quality and client service.
• Collaborate with Worcester and Droitwich offices and promote wider services.
• Contribute to a positive, inclusive team environment and identify process improvements.

Skills

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Deadline management

Client-focused

Education

Part-qualified ACA/ACCA

AAT-qualified

Qualified by experience (QBE)

Job description

Job Role: Business Services - Accounts Associate / Senior Accounts Associate

Location: Worcester and Droitwich

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Working pattern: Hybrid: working across Worcester and Droitwich offices

Qualifications: Part-qualified ACA/ACCA, AAT-qualified or qualified by experience (QBE)

Department: Business Services

About Ballards

At Ballards, we're more than accountants – we're trusted business advisers, strategic partners and problem solvers. Since 1985, we've helped ambitious businesses, charities and private clients grow through accountancy, tax, audit and consultancy services.

With over 150 colleagues across the Midlands, we combine the opportunities of a growing independent firm with a collaborative, people-first approach. We invest in professional development, encourage initiative and give our people the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

Role Overview

We're looking for an experienced practice professional to join our Business Services team. This opportunity is suited to someone who is part-qualified, AAT-qualified or qualified by experience, and who already has practical experience preparing accounts and supporting clients within an accountancy practice.

You'll work on a varied portfolio of clients, preparing year-end accounts, supporting corporation and personal tax compliance, and assisting with bookkeeping, VAT and management accounts. Depending on your experience, you'll also review more straightforward work, help managers keep portfolios on track and support junior colleagues. The scope and level of responsibility will reflect your experience and technical capability.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare year-end statutory accounts and supporting working papers for a range of clients, including more complex assignments where appropriate.
• Prepare corporation tax computations and returns, and assist with personal tax returns, for review by senior colleagues.
• Undertake bookkeeping, VAT return preparation and management accounts work as required.
• Liaise directly with clients to obtain information, resolve queries and ensure work progresses efficiently.
• Support managers and portfolio holders in planning, monitoring and completing client compliance assignments to agreed deadlines.
• Review straightforward accounts or bookkeeping work prepared by less experienced colleagues, where appropriate to your experience.
• Support, coach and share knowledge with trainees and junior team members as your experience allows.
• Maintain accurate working papers and a high standard of technical quality, attention to detail and client service.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the Worcester and Droitwich offices and develop awareness of the wider services available to clients.
• Contribute to a positive, inclusive team environment and identify opportunities to improve ways of working.

About You

• Previous experience working within an accountancy practice (essential).
• Part-qualified ACA or ACCA, AAT-qualified, or qualified by experience with relevant practice-based skills.
• Practical experience preparing accounts and supporting working papers for client review.
• A working understanding of corporation tax and/or personal tax compliance, with willingness to develop across both areas.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and ability to manage competing deadlines.
• Confident written and verbal communication skills and a professional, client-focused approach.
• Ability to work collaboratively, take ownership of assigned work and respond constructively to feedback.
• Able to work across the Worcester and Droitwich offices.
• Experience preparing VAT returns, bookkeeping or management accounts.
• Experience reviewing junior colleagues' work or supporting trainee development.
• Exposure to more complex accounts assignments and assisting with client portfolios.
• An interest in continuing professional study or developing into a more senior role.

Why Join Ballards?

• Varied client work across accounts, tax, bookkeeping and management accounts.
• Opportunities to develop your technical skills and progress your career within a growing independent firm.
• Supportive colleagues and access to experienced managers, directors and partners.
• Hybrid working and a competitive salary and benefits package.
• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, pension, life assurance, electric car and cycle-to-work schemes, flexible holiday purchase, enhanced family pay and an Employee Assistance Programme.

If you have accountancy practice experience and are looking for a role where you can contribute from day one while continuing to develop, we'd love to hear from you.