Accounts Assistant Manager

Ambition; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Ambition is seeking an Assistant Manager to join our Accounts and Business Advisory team in Ipswich. The role blends technical accounting with people management, delivering visible impact from day one.

You will own a diverse client portfolio, oversee high-quality financial reporting, and help develop colleagues. It’s a role with real responsibility in a structured, professional environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CA) or qualified by experience in an accountancy practice.
• Solid experience in accounts preparation, corporation tax, and VAT.
• Ability to review work from juniors and provide constructive feedback.

Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of a client portfolio with planned, timely deliveries.
• Brief and guide junior team members based on clients' business needs.
• Review working papers, financial outputs, and deliverables to Partner-ready quality.
• Support fee discussions and help prepare pricing proposals for straightforward engagements.
• Ensure engagement terms are up to date as scope changes.
• Prepare and review accounts, corporation tax, and VAT returns.
• Advise clients on tax rates, reliefs, and compliance obligations.
• Manage WIP and draft fees for approval according to recovery targets.
• Line-manage junior staff, conduct reviews, and participate in hiring processes.

Skills

Client management

Leadership

Communication

Time management

Education

ACA/ACCA/CA or qualified by experience

Tools

Accounting software

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