Accounts Associate

Saffery; Bournemouth; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-known accountancy firm is looking for an Accounts Assistant or Associate in Bournemouth. This permanent role involves preparing financial statements and managing client relationships in a fast-paced environment. Suitable for AAT qualified or part ACA/ACCA candidates eager to develop their advisory skills. The firm offers a hybrid working policy with excellent benefits like a pension scheme, 25 days of leave, and profit-sharing eligibility, fostering a supportive team and commitment to diversity.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Contributory pension scheme

Flexible benefits and family-friendly policies

Qualifications

• Enthusiastic AAT qualified or part ACA/ACCA qualified accountant.
• Prior experience of working in practice preferred.
• Understanding of other accounting systems is helpful.

Responsibilities

• Prepare year-end financial statements.
• Take ownership of ad-hoc advisory projects.
• Review work prepared by other team members.
• Manage billing and financial tasks.
• Build and maintain client relationships.

Skills

Strong numeracy and analytical skills

Good knowledge of Excel and Word

Self-motivated and pro-active

Excellent organizational skills

Ability to work in a pressured environment

Natural team player

Education

AAT qualified or part ACA/ACCA qualified

Tools

CCH or equivalent accounts production software

Job description

The Bournemouth office is looking for a talented individual to join us as an Accounts Assistant or Associate within our Accounts team. The successful candidate is expected to be an enthusiastic AAT qualified or partially ACA/ACCA qualified accountant who is keen to grow their technical skills in a supportive team environment.

The role

This is a client‑facing, fast‑paced role which includes advisory elements and often deals with high profile clients. The work is varied and ranges from typical year‑end compliance through to ad‑hoc advisory and project work. The client base is a mix of sole traders, partnerships, limited companies, limited liability partnerships, trusts and smaller private charities. The role is permanent and would suit an AAT, ACCA/ACA part‑qualified accountant who is seeking to consolidate their knowledge of accounts, compliance and trusts, and take it to the next level by building on their advisory, client management and supervisory skills.

• Preparation of year‑end financial statements
• Taking ownership of ad‑hoc advisory projects
• Review of work prepared by other members of the team
• Work planning and annual timetabling
• Billing and financial management
• Cross‑departmental communication
• Building and maintaining client relationships

Experience of preparing year end accounts using accounts production software such as CCH or an equivalent is also required.

The role is office based; however, the firm has an agile working policy that allows for flexibility on this.

The Team

You will be part of the Accounts Team in our Bournemouth office comprising of around 15 members of staff from accounts trainees up to Director. The team works with all partners within the office and firmwide, on a variety of tasks including statutory accounts preparation and ad‑hoc advisory work. There is a real focus on development within the team, with the aim being for staff to develop their careers long term within the firm. Alongside a commitment to client service and excellence in their work, there is a willingness to help each other and succeed as a team.

The Office

Our Bournemouth office provides a full range of accounting, audit and assurance, business advisory, tax, and VAT services to businesses and individuals both in the UK and internationally. Our staff regularly collaborate with colleagues in our national offices to ensure seamless service delivery to clients, no matter where they are located. The Bournemouth office offers a small office feel within the larger Saffery family of around 1200 people. The office is home to 5 partners and more than 70 members of staff.

You

• Preferably AAT qualified/ part way through ACA/ACCA qualification and some prior experience of working in practice.
• Strong numeracy and analytical skills, along with the ability to learn quickly.
• A good knowledge of Excel and Word is essential.
• Understanding of other accounting systems would be helpful but is not an essential requirement.
• Self‑motivated and pro‑active, with the ability to organise your own workload.
• Display a flexible, professional approach and have the confidence and ability to communicate effectively with managers, partners and clients.
• Natural team player with a positive and enthusiastic attitude and excellent eye for detail.
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to work on multiple jobs at once.
• Ability to work in a pressured environment.
• Proactive nature and enjoys working as part of a team.

Reward and benefits

• A 35 hour working week and a hybrid working policy with a minimum of 2 days in the office (our core hours are 10‑4)
• Excellent benefits including contributory pension scheme, 25 days annual leave, Life Assurance cover and great flexible benefits and family friendly policies.
• Eligibility for the firm's Profit‑Sharing Plan. Paid in December.

About Us

Saffery LLP is an adviser to individuals and businesses across a range of sectors, providing market‑leading accountancy, audit, business advisory, tax and VAT services. Founded in 1855, we are the UK's 15th largest accountancy firm. When you work with us at Saffery, you work with people who know your name, not just a job title. We're a place shaped by friendly, intelligent people who are individually excellent and collectively exceptional. We're committed to our clients, but also to our greatest asset – our people. As a proud member of Nexia, a leading international network of independent accounting and consulting firms, we've got access to local insight on a global scale.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Equality, diversity and inclusion is a top priority for us. With our ED&I strategy, Everyone Belongs, we are building on our positive work culture and implementing initiatives to improve diversity and strengthen our equitable culture of inclusion, led from the top. We hope you will apply to us, whatever your background, ethnicity, gender, age, sexuality, disability or neurodivergence, because individual differences equal collective strength. Built on values of excellence, integrity, enthusiasm and collegiality, Saffery is where Potential meets Personal.