Business Services Manager

Armstrong Watson LLP; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Annual leave

Smart working

Health benefits

CPD funding

Referral program

Job summary

Armstrong Watson LLP in Edinburgh/Glasgow is seeking a skilled Business Services Manager to lead a diverse client portfolio within our Business Services team. You will oversee preparation of financial statements and tax work, while ensuring high service levels and team engagement.

The successful candidate will be ICAS/ACA/ACCA qualified, with experience in an accounting practice, capable of driving the team and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified ICAS, ACA or ACCA with full UK driving licence.
• Experience in an accountancy practice.
• Ambitious, drive the team forward.
• Capable of prioritising deadlines and working under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of basic to large business services clients.
• Prepare and submit financial statements and taxes.
• Line manage assistants and seniors; conduct reviews.
• Attend client meetings and build relationships.
• Support business development and referrals.

Skills

Portfolio management

Team leadership

Client relationships

Time management

Financial statements

Education

ICAS/ACCA/ACA qualified

Job description

Business Services Manager

Department: Business Services

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Edinburgh

Description

About Us

Build something exceptional, with us...

Our ambition is clear and openly bold.

Armstrong Watson is on a journey to more than double our turnover by 2030, through disciplined organic growth, the attraction of outstanding talent, and the selective acquisition of like‑minded firms.

But growth alone is not the goal.

Reputation is.

And reputation is earned, not inherited.

Our strategic intent is simple to say and hard to deliver.

To become the most respected adviser to privately owned businesses in the North and the UK.

The firm business owners talk about.

The firm lawyers and bankers recommend without hesitation.

To achieve this, we are building the best Accounting and Financial Advisory firm to deal with, not just in the North, but across the UK. Exceptional service, deep expertise, trusted relationships, and absolute reliability define everything we do. These are not slogans; they are standards we hold ourselves to every day.

At our core, we exist for one reason, to help our clients achieve prosperity, a secure future, and peace of mind.

This strategy sets the direction.

Our people, our values‑led culture, and our standards will deliver it.

We are looking for people who want more than the next job. People who care deeply about:

• Standards and professionalism
• Doing work they are proud to put their name to
• Building long‑term client relationships
• Being part of a firm with real momentum and intent

If you want to grow with a business that is ambitious, values‑driven, and serious about excellence, Armstrong Watson offers opportunity and expectation in equal measure.

What you will find here:

• A firm with clear direction and momentum
• Clients who value advice and relationships
• Colleagues who care about doing things properly
• A culture built on Passion, Trust, Humanity and Honesty
• Genuine opportunity to shape your career as the firm grows

This is our moment, and our vision is clear, to build something genuinely remarkable.

The Role

Are you a Chartered Qualified (ICAS, ACA or ACCA) Accounting Professional looking to take the next step in your career?

As a result of continued growth, we are seeking an ambitious and technically skilled Business Services Manager to join our team in either Edinburgh or Glasgow.

As a Business Services Manager, you will be responsible for managing a diverse portfolio of clients, ranging from basic to large and complex assignments. Your main goal will be to ensure that our clients receive exceptional service whilst also focusing on team collaboration, performance and engagement.

The main elements of this role will include:

• Taking ownership for a portfolio of basic / large / complex Business Services clients
• Being responsible for the completion and submission of financial statements, business taxation and personal taxation for all clients within your portfolio by the required deadlines
• Overseeing and providing technical support to Business Services Assistants and Seniors. You will also be responsible for completing line management duties (1-1s, Annual and Quarterly Goal Setting Meetings, Student Review Meetings etc)
• Resolving more complex queries relating to assignments and liaising directly with our clients
• Reviewing assignments which have been prepared by Business Services Assistants and Seniors to ensure they comply with our requirements and are ready for client review
• Attending and contributing to client meetings as required by the Business Services Partner
• Forming good and professional relationships with clients, creating an environment whereby clients feel happy to refer their contacts to Armstrong Watson
• Building your own network of professional contacts, which will hopefully result in generating new business

Please note that we will not be accepting candidates from agency suppliers in connection with this vacancy.

The Candidate

In order to fulfil the responsibilities of the position, we would like candidates to be / have:

• A Full UK Driving Licence
• Either ICAS, ACA or ACCA qualified
• Experience of working in an accounting capacity at an Accountancy Practice
• Ambitious, and keen to drive the team forward
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment
• A dedicated team player, and willing to assist colleagues in the team where possible
• Able to prioritise workloads under strict deadlines and work well under pressure
• Able to use initiative and have great organisation / problem solving skills
• Keen to become part of a dynamic team

The Benefits

In return for your hard work helping us shape our future growth and development; we will provide a competitive salary and a positive benefits package which includes:

• Salary Sacrifice Employer Contribution Pension Scheme including Life Cover (4x salary) and Income Protection
• Competitive Annual Leave entitlement & Annual Leave Purchase Scheme allowing you to buy up to 5 additional days annual leave each year
• Smart Working Policy, giving you the ability to balance home and remote working
• Health Shield Cash Plan (cash back on a range of Health benefits and discounts on holidays, fashion and entertainment)
• Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 confidential support for wellbeing and health)
• Paid flu jabs and eye tests
• Introductory Commission Scheme (financial reward if you refer a new client)
• Employee Referral Scheme (financial reward if you refer new AW colleagues) enabling you to claim up to £2,500 for each referral
• Investment towards Continuous Professional Development (CPD), which includes access to comprehensive training courses and materials
• Paid professional membership fees

In addition to all the benefits you would expect from an award winning employer, you will be given the utmost encouragement and support to develop your career further.

When you're with us... we're with you.