Accounts Assistant Manager

Ambition; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Ambition in Ipswich is seeking an Assistant Manager to lead a diverse accounts portfolio within the Accounts and Business Advisory team. You will own client work streams, supervise junior staff, and deliver high-quality financial reporting with partner sign-off.

The role blends technical accounting with people management, offering real scope to influence engagement scope, pricing discussions, and development plans for colleagues from day one.

Qualifications

• Qualified ACA/ACCA/CA or qualified-by-experience background in an accountancy practice.
• Experience in accounts preparation, corporation tax, and VAT.
• Ability to review work produced by junior colleagues and give constructive feedback.
• Strong client management and ability to hold clients accountable for deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Taking full ownership of a client portfolio, ensuring assignments are planned and delivered to deadlines.
• Brief and guide junior team members with understanding of each client's business and risks.
• Reviewing working papers and financial outputs to a high standard for partner review.
• Proactively identify changes to engagement scope and propose fee adjustments.

Skills

Client management

People management

Pricing discussions

WIP management

Reviewing deliverables

Education

ACA/ACCA/CA qualification

Job description

Are you a qualified accountant ready to take genuine ownership of a client portfolio while developing your leadership skills in a structured, professional environment?

Our client, a well-regarded accountancy practice, is looking for an experienced and motivated Assistant Manager to join their Accounts and Business Advisory team. This is a role that genuinely bridges technical excellence and people management, offering real responsibility from day one.

You will manage a diverse portfolio of clients, oversee the delivery of high-quality financial reporting, and play an active part in developing the colleagues around you. If you are looking for a role where your contribution is visible and valued, this is a strong next step.

What You'll Be Doing

• Taking full ownership of a client portfolio, ensuring all assignments are planned, diarised, and delivered against agreed deadlines and expectations
• Building a thorough understanding of each client's business, risks, and challenges, and using that knowledge to effectively brief and guide junior team members
• Reviewing working papers, financial outputs, and other deliverables to a high standard, ensuring work is accurate, well-presented, and ready for partner review
• Identifying changes to engagement scope at an early stage and proposing fee adjustments for director or partner approval
• Supporting fee conversations with clients, with guidance from senior management, and contributing to pricing proposals for straightforward engagements
• Ensuring client engagement terms remain current and are updated promptly when scope or service lines change
• Preparing and reviewing accounts, corporation tax returns, and VAT returns in line with technical and professional standards
• Advising clients on corporation tax rates and bandings, R&D relief, group loss relief, Companies House obligations, and a broad range of advisory topics
• Performing bank covenant testing as required
• Reviewing and managing work in progress (WIP) under your control, raising draft fees for approval in line with agreed recovery rate targets
• Taking on line management responsibilities for junior colleagues, including performance reviews, appraisals, and supporting the development of personal action plans
• Participating in the interview and selection process for junior hires

What We're Looking For

• A recognised professional accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, or CA) or demonstrable qualified-by-experience background gained within an accountancy practice
• Solid, hands-on experience in accounts preparation, corporation tax, and VAT within a practice setting
• Confidence in reviewing work produced by junior colleagues and delivering constructive, clear feedback
• Strong client management skills, including the ability to hold clients accountable for the quality and timeliness of their deliverables
• Sound technical knowledge of accounting and professional standards, with the ability to communicate these clearly to both colleagues and clients
• A proactive approach to problem-solving, with the confidence to identify issues and suggest practical solutions independently
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities across a varied client portfolio

Nice to Have

• Experience with bank covenant testing
• Previous involvement in fee conversations or pricing proposals
• Exposure to recruitment, onboarding, or formal team management responsibilities