Accounts Manager

Austin Rose; Loughton; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Wellbeing allowance £400 per annum

Birthday off

Volunteering day

Agile and flexible working

Path to Partnership for top performers

Job summary

Austin Rose is seeking an Accounts Manager in Loughton to lead a substantial client portfolio, act as a trusted business advisor, and mentor a team of accountants. The role focuses on ownership of engagements, effective budgeting, and advising on accounting and tax matters for owner-managed businesses and UK subsidiaries.

You will work from modern offices with agile working policies, aiming for long-term progression toward Partnership for standout candidates.

Qualifications

• ACA or ACCA qualified accountant with strong portfolio management experience.
• Proven ability to mentor staff and lead teams to high performance.
• Strong client advisory focus and ability to identify advisory opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage engagement jobs, balancing client needs and risks.
• Set engagement budgets and timelines with client sign-off.
• Review statutory and management accounts for technical accuracy.
• Identify additional revenue opportunities during client interactions.
• Provide feedback to partners and deliver complete files with minimal review.
• Conduct staff performance reviews and appraisals to support development.

Skills

Leadership

Client advisory

Business development

Education

ACA or ACCA qualification

Tools

Xero

CaseWare

Sage

CCH

Job description

Accounts Manager | Top 100 Firm | Loughton

Are you an ACA or ACCA qualified accountant looking to take on a high-profile portfolio management role within a well-established, independent practice? Are you seeking a dynamic position that offers direct client advisory ownership, team leadership responsibilities, and genuine pathways for partnership progression, backed by agile working and a £400 annual wellbeing allowance?

As an Accounts Manager based in Loughton, you will play a central role in driving the firm's accounts department forward. Working from dedicated modern offices, you will manage a diverse portfolio of owner-managed businesses, entrepreneurial ventures, and UK subsidiaries of international groups, while mentoring junior professionals and partnering directly with senior leadership.

About the Firm

This Top 100 Firm is a well-established, full-service practice of Chartered Accountants with a proud independent history spanning over 75 years. Operating from its own modern offices in Loughton, the firm delivers comprehensive accounting, taxation, and business advisory services to a diverse clientele, ranging from ambitious OMBs to large international subsidiaries. Known for its supportive, people-first culture and commitment to professional growth, the practice offers an engaging working environment with excellent long-term career prospects.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage engagement jobs, considering client needs, key assignment risks, and resource allocation.

• Determine efficient workflows by evaluating the balance between in-house delivery and outsourcing options.

• Establish engagement budgets and timelines, securing client sign-off and ensuring strict adherence throughout the assignment lifecycle.

• Review statutory accounts, management accounts, and financial reports prepared by team members to ensure technical accuracy.

• Actively identify additional business revenue opportunities and potential advisory services during client interactions.

• Provide timely feedback to partners on client issues and deliver complete files with minimal review points.

• Conduct staff performance reviews, probationary milestones, and annual appraisals to support team development.

As an Accounts Manager you will:

• Take full ownership of a substantial client portfolio, acting as a trusted business advisor on accounting and tax matters.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a talented team of accountants, fostering high performance and technical excellence.

• Apply strong UK GAAP and VAT knowledge to resolve complex reporting and compliance queries.

• Utilize modern accounting technologies including Xero, CaseWare, Sage, and CCH to optimize departmental efficiency.

• Contribute to business development initiatives and help expand the firm's commercial presence across Essex and London.

What You’ll Receive

• 25 days annual leave (increasing with length of service).

• £400 per annum wellbeing allowance.

• Paid Birthday off as an extra day of leave.

• Paid volunteering day to support community initiatives.

• Agile and flexible working policies supporting personal wellbeing.

• Genuine long-term prospects for promotion to Partnership for outstanding candidates.

At Austin Rose, we specialise in Public Practice recruitment and use our market insight to support professionals in securing roles aligned with their long-term ambitions.