Associate Director - General Practice

Knights Lowe Ltd; Babergh; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading accounting firm in Ipswich seeks an experienced Associate Director to oversee a substantial portfolio of owner-managed businesses. This senior, client-facing role requires leadership in client service, team development, and compliance oversight. Ideal candidates will have ACA or ACCA qualifications with significant experience, excellent advisory and organisational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively. The firm offers competitive compensation and a hybrid working model with opportunities for progression.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Hybrid working model

Private healthcare

Enhanced pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Social events

Medical cash plan

Charity events and paid volunteering day

Qualifications

• Significant post-qualification experience required.
• Background in UK accountancy practice essential.
• Experience managing and reviewing client portfolios.

Responsibilities

• Oversee client portfolio and lead client service efforts.
• Ensure quality and compliance of client files.
• Advise clients on tax and finance matters.
• Mentor and develop team members in the practice.

Skills

ACA or ACCA qualified with significant post-qualification experience

Strong background in UK accountancy practice

Experience managing a client portfolio

Comfortable working with audit clients

Confident advising owner-managed businesses

High technical and practical ability with sound judgement

Strong organisational skills

Commercially aware and client-focused

Education

ACA or ACCA qualification

Job description

Overview

Associate Director - General Practice

Location: Ipswich

Full-time, Permanent

Salary: Competitive, depending on experience

We are seeking an experienced Associate Director to take a senior leadership role within our General Practice team in Ipswich. This is a senior, client-facing role focused on owner-managed businesses, combining portfolio leadership, technical oversight and advisory input. While the role is not primarily audit-led, experience and confidence in audit work and audit clients is desirable. You will act as a trusted adviser to business owners and directors, while playing a key part in managing workflow, maintaining technical standards and supporting the development of the wider team.

The Role

You will oversee a substantial portfolio of mainly owner-managed and family-run businesses, alongside supporting Directors with more complex or higher-risk assignments. This is a senior position with responsibility not only for client service but also for team leadership, file quality, workflow and contributing to the direction and growth of the Ipswich office.

Key Responsibilities

• Client Portfolio Leadership — Managing a significant portfolio of limited companies, partnerships and sole traders; Acting as a main point of contact and trusted adviser to business owners and directors; Building strong, long-term client relationships across compliance and advisory matters; Leading annual accounts meetings and wider business discussions; Identifying opportunities to provide additional services and added value advice; Supporting Directors with more complex client matters and larger assignments
• Accounts, Compliance and Audit Exposure — Overseeing the preparation and review of statutory accounts and management information; Reviewing files prepared by managers, seniors and trainees, ensuring quality and efficiency; Working with a number of audit clients, with involvement in planning, review or completion stages where appropriate; Acting as a key contact on audit assignments alongside the audit team, particularly where wider accounts, tax or advisory input is required; Ensuring assignments are delivered to deadline, within budget and to a high technical standard
• Advisory and Technical Input — Advising clients on corporation tax, personal tax, VAT and PAYE matters at a practical level; Identifying issues relating to profit extraction, remuneration planning, CGT and IHT, working with tax specialists where needed; Supporting clients with business performance, systems, and growth-related discussions; Providing proactive, commercial advice rather than purely compliance-based support; Contributing to proposals and meetings for new or prospective clients
• Team Leadership and Development — Supporting the management of workflow across the Ipswich general practice team; Mentoring and developing managers, seniors, assistants and trainees; Reviewing work, providing feedback and helping maintain strong technical standards; Ensuring team members gain appropriate experience and exposure; Promoting collaboration between accounts, tax and audit teams
• Quality, Standards and Firm Contribution — Taking responsibility for the quality and completeness of client files under your supervision; Ensuring compliance with relevant accounting, tax and (where applicable) audit standards; Supporting improvements in internal processes and ways of working; Working closely with Directors on client, team and operational matters; Contributing to the continued development and growth of the Ipswich office

Key Skills and Qualifications

• ACA or ACCA qualified with significant post-qualification experience
• Strong background in UK accountancy practice within general practice
• Experience managing a client portfolio and reviewing the work of others
• Comfortable working with audit clients and with exposure to audit assignments
• Confident advising owner-managed businesses and their directors
• High technical and practical ability with sound judgement
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Commercially aware, with a proactive and client-focused approach

What We Offer

• A senior role with real responsibility and influence
• A varied portfolio of established, owner-managed business clients
• A collaborative working environment across accounts, tax and audit
• The opportunity to shape client relationships and support office growth
• Direct exposure to Directors and strategic decision-making

Benefits

• The salary package will be competitive, depending upon the level of qualification and experience. You will have an opportunity to progress and develop where applicable.
• Flexible working hours
• Hybrid working with fully hosted systems
• Progression opportunities
• Private healthcare
• Employee Assistant Programme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric car salary sacrifice scheme
• Holiday purchase
• Varied and successful clients, client contact and interaction
• Modern offices and working practices
• Social events
• Medical cash plan
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Group life assurance
• Charity events and paid volunteering day