Accounts Director

Hollybank Trustees Ltd; Hassocks; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Auto enrolment Pension Scheme with TPP

Private Medical Insurance

Death in Service

Professional membership support

Paycare for health benefits

Agile/Hybrid Working Policy

Dress for your Diary Policy

Job summary

Affinia is seeking a Director within the Accounts team to lead a high-performing client portfolio across Brighton and Hassocks. You will act as a strategic advisor, ensuring accurate, timely and commercially effective services while mentoring Managers and shaping growth initiatives.

With 7–10 years in UK practice and strong technical knowledge, you will oversee complex engagements, maintain quality controls and drive operational excellence across service lines.

Qualifications

• ACA, ACCA, or equivalent qualification (fully qualified)
• 7–10 years' experience in UK accountancy practice (including Manager level)
• Up-to-date CPD with advanced technical accounting & tax knowledge
• Expert understanding of UK GAAP (FRS 102), corporate tax, VAT & financial reporting
• Experience reviewing and signing off complex statutory accounts & advisory work
• Strong client risk analysis and issue resolution skills
• Proficiency in accounting software (CCH, Xero, Sage, QuickBooks) and billing workflows
• Experience managing multiple teams and developing staff
• Excellent communication and client relationship skills
• Ability to contribute to new business activity and firm growth initiatives

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of services across a portfolio of complex/high-value clients
• Act as strategic advisor on financial/regulatory matters
• Identify client risks and upsell opportunities with Partners
• Manage and develop Managers and Senior staff; support succession planning
• Conduct performance reviews and provide targeted feedback
• Support recruitment, onboarding and training initiatives
• Review and sign off on complex accounting work (UK GAAP)
• Monitor WIP, recovery rates, and billing; oversee pricing discussions
• Drive service line strategy and internal projects to improve processes
• Participate in client pitches and tender processes
• Ensure compliance with ICAEW, HMRC, Companies House standards
• Lead change initiatives and drive service line development

Skills

UK GAAP knowledge

Client relationship mgmt

Leadership & mentoring

Risk management

Commercial acumen

Education

ACA/ACCA or equivalent

Tools

CCH

Xero

Sage

QuickBooks

Job description

Location: Hybrid / Brighton and Hove, UK
job type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector: Accounting & Finance | Audit & Practice
Salary: Negotiable salary

Affinia is the UK’s-largest purpose-led, purpose-built Accountancy firm, focused on building stronger, more valuable relationships. With over 1,600 colleagues across the East, South East, London and the Midlands, we are dedicated to supporting our clients, colleagues and communities.

We advise businesses, public sector organisations, charities and individuals throughout the UK and internationally across six Service Lines - Accountancy & Advisory, Tax and Planning, Audit & Assurance, Corporate Finance, Payroll and Corporate Recovery. Our team also offer in-depth sector expertise across a number of sectors, ensuring our clients receive the best short to medium and long-term advice, tailored to them. We are committed to delivering excellence in every aspect of our work, adapting to the evolving technology and regulatory landscape while consistently exceeding client expectations.

Our people are our most valuable asset. We are therefore committed to supporting our colleagues throughout their professional development, providing guidance and training at whatever stage of their career they join us.

Location is split between: Brighton and Hassocks.

Purpose of the role:

As a Director within the Accounts team, you will lead a high-performing client portfolio, acting as a strategic advisor and ensuring the delivery of accurate, timely, and commercially effective services. Supporting teams to create capacity and support growth in our Brighton and Hassocks offices. You will oversee multiple teams across complex engagements, maintaining quality control, managing risk, and driving efficiency.

A key part of the role is to develop and retain strong client relationships, proactively identifying opportunities for additional support and working closely with Partners on business development initiatives. Internally, you will play a pivotal role in mentoring and developing Managers, contributing to succession planning, and leading service line or firm-wide projects that enhance operational excellence.

This role balances strong technical leadership with people management, commercial awareness, and strategic contribution, forming a critical step towards future progression to Director or Partner level.

Accountabilities:

• Lead the delivery of services across a portfolio of complex or high-value clients, ensuring deadlines, budgets, and quality standards are consistently met.
• Act as a strategic advisor to clients, offering proactive guidance on financial, regulatory, and operational matters.
• Identify client risks and emerging needs, proposing appropriate additional services in collaboration with Partners.
• Manage and develop Managers, Assistant Managers, and Senior Accountants, ensuring strong team engagement, performance, and succession planning.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and development conversations, setting clear expectations and providing targeted feedback.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and training initiatives to strengthen the capability and culture of the Accounts service line.
• Review and sign off on complex accounting work, ensuring compliance with UK GAAP (FRS 102), tax legislation, and internal quality standards.
• Serve as a technical escalation point for Managers and Partners, offering expert guidance on complex or judgemental issues.
• Monitor WIP, recovery rates, and fee arrangements across your portfolio, working with the Partner to maximise commercial performance.
• Oversee billing processes and ensure timely invoicing and resolution of fee queries or scope changes.]Participate in pricing discussions and proposal preparation for new or existing clients.
• Support the development of service line strategy by contributing sector knowledge, client insights, and operational improvements.
• Participate in client pitches, tenders, and networking events, collaborating with Partners on growth opportunities.
• Drive internal projects to improve processes, technology use, and client experience.
• Ensure adherence to internal compliance standards, ethical guidelines, and external regulations (including ICAEW, HMRC, Companies House).
• Review file completion, engagement documentation, and internal audit reports, taking corrective action where needed.
• Proactively identify and mitigate risk across your team and portfolio.

Skills/Qualifications:

• ACA, ACCA, or equivalent qualification (fully qualified)
• Minimum of 7–10 years' experience in UK accountancy practice, including experience at Manager level
• Up-to-date CPD record with advanced technical knowledge in accounting and tax compliance
• Expert-level understanding of UK GAAP (especially FRS 102), corporate tax, VAT, and financial reporting requirements
• Extensive experience in reviewing and signing off complex statutory accounts and advisory work
• Skilled in analysing client risk, identifying technical issues, and delivering accurate, commercially sound solutions
• High proficiency in practice and accounting software (e.g. CCH, Xero, Sage, QuickBooks), including workflow and billing tools
• Proven track record of managing multiple teams and direct reports across different levels
• Strong delegation, coaching, and mentoring capabilities, with a focus on staff development and succession planning
• Skilled in performance management, delivering structured feedback, and leading appraisal processes
• Excellent communication and client-handling skills with the ability to build trust and long-term relationships
• Commercially astute, with experience in managing fees, recovery rates, and identifying upsell or cross-sell opportunities
• Ability to contribute to new business activity, proposals, and firm growth initiatives
• Operates as a senior leader and role model within the practice
• Demonstrates ownership, sound judgement, and a solutions-focused mindset
• Aligns with the firm’s values and culture, promoting collaboration, integrity, and continuous improvement
• Able to lead change initiatives and drive service line development alongside Partners
• Ability to respond and be reactive to shifting priorities at short notice.
• Ability to multitask under pressure and to lead others.

Core Benefits:

At Affinia, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth. Alongside a flexible and inclusive work environment, we offer the following core benefits:

• Auto enrolment Pension Scheme with True Potential
• Private Medical Insurance
• Death in Service
• Professional membership support
• Paycare – claim money back for Dental / Optical / Professional Therapies
• Agile/Hybrid Working Policy
• Dress for your Diary Policy

Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.

Affinia is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion, or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy, or maternity, or sexual orientation. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.