Accounts Manager

Ambition; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Ambition is seeking an experienced Accounts Manager to take ownership of a portfolio of clients, lead a team of accounting professionals, and deliver high-quality year-end and advisory services. The role combines hands-on technical work with team leadership, client relationship management, and input into business development.

You will drive quality, efficiency, and professional development across the department, shaping how the team operates and how client work is delivered in a growing practice.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with ACA/ACCA/CA or equivalent experience gained through practice.
• Strong background in an accountancy practice with year-end accounts preparation and advisory services.
• Experience managing or supervising a team with delegation and development of staff.
• Solid technical grounding in consolidated accounts, cashflow forecasting, VAT, and interpretation of financial results.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of client accounts and act as primary point of contact for queries.
• Lead a team of accounting professionals and drive delivery of year-end and advisory services.
• Oversee workflow planning and timesheets to ensure deadlines and efficiency.
• Provide input into business development and client tender activity.

Skills

Client relationship management

Team leadership

Technical accounting

Cashflow forecasting

VAT knowledge

Education

ACA/ACCA/CA or equivalent

Tools

Accounting software

Job description

If you're a qualified accountant with a strong practice background and the ability to lead people as well as technical work, this is a role worth exploring.

Our client, a well-established accountancy practice, is looking for an experienced Accounts Manager to take ownership of a portfolio of clients, lead a team of accounting professionals, and deliver a high standard of year-end and advisory services. This is a role with genuine breadth, combining hands-on technical work with team leadership, client relationship management, and input into business development.

You'll play a central part in how the team operates, driving quality, efficiency, and professional development across the department.

What You'll Be Doing:

Client and Portfolio Management

• Managing a portfolio of client accounts and acting as the primary point of contact for queries, taking ownership of resolutions with minimal escalation
• Developing a thorough understanding of each client's business, objectives, and risk profile, using this knowledge to brief and direct junior team members effectively
• Leading year-end accounts discussions with clients and identifying relevant opportunities to expand the scope of service
• Reviewing work-in-progress on a monthly basis to ensure fees are raised appropriately and any irrecoverable time is properly accounted for
• Contributing to the preparation of proposals and fee quotes, and attending client tender meetings as part of the firm's new business activity

Technical Accounting

• Preparing and reviewing consolidated accounts, including identifying consolidation adjustments
• Preparing and reviewing three-way cashflow forecasts, applying client-specific knowledge to identify anomalies and document supporting assumptions
• Interpreting working capital ratios (such as debtor days) and drawing commercial conclusions from financial results
• Reviewing VAT treatment, including partial exemption and reverse charge entries
• Considering group loss relief options and remuneration planning scenarios for senior review
• Identifying when prior period adjustments are required and determining the appropriate course of action

Team Leadership and Development

• Taking responsibility for workflow planning across the team, ensuring client deadlines and business priorities are met
• Reviewing team timesheets on a weekly basis to ensure time is posted correctly and non-chargeable entries are appropriately challenged
• Supporting junior team members through meaningful delegation, constructive feedback, and targeted development opportunities
• Delivering internal training and development initiatives and sharing relevant technical updates with the wider team
• Participating in the recruitment and selection process for junior hires

Efficiency and Improvement

• Challenging existing approaches and proposing alternatives that improve efficiency without compromising quality
• Championing the adoption of new technologies and leading their implementation within the department
• Monitoring fee recovery trends and challenging client fee levels where appropriate

What We're Looking For

• A professional accountancy qualification such as ACA, ACCA, or CA, or equivalent experience gained through practice
• Solid background in an accountancy practice environment, with demonstrable experience across year-end accounts preparation and advisory services
• Experience managing or supervising a team, with the confidence to delegate, develop, and hold people accountable
• Strong technical grounding in areas including consolidated accounts, cashflow forecasting, VAT, and commercial interpretation of financial results
• The ability to manage multiple client relationships and deadlines simultaneously
• A clear and confident communicator, able to present financial information to clients in a straightforward and accessible way
• A proactive approach to problem-solving, with the confidence to make decisions within your remit and escalating appropriately when needed

Nice to Have

• Experience contributing to business development, including proposals, fee negotiations, or client tenders
• Familiarity with remuneration planning and group tax structures
• A track record of leading or championing technology or process improvement initiatives within a practice setting