Accounts Manager - Practice firm

Affinia; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK accountancy firm is seeking an Accounts Manager in Chelmsford. The role involves managing a diverse client portfolio, ensuring compliance, and working closely with the senior management team. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in accountancy and strong client management skills. The firm offers a flexible hybrid working environment and values diversity.

Benefits

Professional membership support

Agile/Hybrid Working Policy

Dress for your Diary Policy

Qualifications

• At least 5+ years of practice experience in accountancy.
• Previous experience in a managerial or senior role is essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage a client portfolio of approximately 80+ clients.
• Oversee compliance with tax and accounting purposes.
• Assist clients with queries and provide advice.

Skills

Communication

IT Skills

Client Management

Tools

CCH Software

Job description

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Full Job Description

Affinia is a leading UK Top 50 Accountancy firm. Through successful acquisitions and organic growth, the firm has seen significant development within the last 18 months. Last October, we launched our new brand ‘Affinia’ (which saw the coming together of Richard Edwards Group and six other likeminded firms across the East & South East of England to form a combined challenger accounting, tax, and business advisory firm).

With a combined heritage spanning over 300 years, we have more than 400 accountancy professionals based in Stratford, Colchester, Chelmsford, Ipswich, Halstead, Harlow, Orpington, Sidcup, and Sutton. We advise businesses, government and public sector organizations, and individuals in the UK and internationally across seven principal practice groups: Accountancy & Advisory, Tax and Planning, Audit Services, Corporate Finance, Digital Solutions, Payroll, and Financial Planning.

We have invested continuously in technology and gained in-depth knowledge across a broad range of markets, growing through acquisitions and private investment. We offer an exceptional service to our clients, with access to our sector experts to develop strategies that help them reach their goals. We keep a finger on the industry pulse, so our clients receive the best short, medium, and long-term advice.

Purpose of the role:

Affinia is recruiting an Accounts Manager to join our Accounts department in Chelmsford. Working with the senior management team, you will manage a client portfolio of approximately 80+ clients—diverse in entity types, sizes, and complexity—with full support from the Director and Senior Management team.

Reporting to our Accounts Director, you will work as part of a team for clients such as high net worth individuals, trusts, estates, and companies.

Accountabilities:

• Oversee and take responsibility for a portfolio of clients to ensure compliance with tax and accounting purposes, with support from the senior management team.
• Be the first point of contact for your clients, working closely with the designated Director and senior management team.
• Assist and lead in supervising team members and managing workflow within the office.
• Collaborate with other departments within our group.
• Review compliance work, including year-end statutory accounts, VAT returns, management accounts, and personal/company tax returns (according to the firm’s risk level).
• Assist clients with queries and provide advice where necessary.
• Support Directors with ad hoc projects.
• Proactively build a network of professional contacts to drive growth in compliance and advisory services.
• Manage work in progress and billing requirements for your portfolio, initially with support from senior management, to maintain KPIs.
• Support and train staff to ensure continued excellence and development.
• Hold finalization meetings with clients to discuss key findings and resolve issues.
• Perform additional responsibilities as identified in line with role expectations.

Skills/Qualifications:

Ideally, you will have at least 5+ years of practice experience working for a leading accountancy practice.

• Previous experience in a managerial or senior role is essential.
• Experience managing a client portfolio and delivering a range of services or substantial client interaction is desired.
• Experience dealing with clients and managing small to medium portfolios is advantageous.
• Experience at a firm of similar or larger size, preferably with multiple offices/departments.

We are seeking a candidate with:

• The ability to convey and explain ideas clearly
• Strong IT and Microsoft Office skills
• Hands-on client-facing experience preferred
• Experience with CCH software is desirable

Core Benefits:

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

• Professional membership support
• Agile/Hybrid Working Policy
• Dress for your Diary Policy

Our hybrid working model allows colleagues to enjoy a mix of home and office working. We welcome applications from those seeking flexible and agile roles and are open to discussing your preferred working patterns.

Affinia is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy strictly prohibits discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation. We value diversity and promote equality of opportunity for all. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection is based solely on merit.