Business Services Manager (12month FTC)

Sopher-; Borehamwood; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Insurance

Life assurance (Death in Service)

Group Income Protection

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work

Training & development

Job summary

Sopher + Co in Borehamwood, UK, is seeking an experienced Business Services Manager on a 12 month FTC to cover maternity leave. You will lead and support a team of management accountants and bookkeepers, delivering outsourced client services including VAT returns to a diverse client base.

The role requires a solid practice background, ability to mentor staff, and a proactive approach to managing workloads, budgets, and client relationships.

Qualifications

• Experience in a supervisory or managerial role within a practice environment.
• Solid knowledge of managerial accounting and bookkeeping services.
• Up-to-date knowledge of accounting practices and developments.
• Proficiency in Xero and Microsoft Office.
• Strong VAT law and compliance understanding.
• Basic payroll and company secretarial knowledge.
• Excellent time management, attention to detail and problem-solving.
• Commercial mindset with credibility, and relationship-building.

Responsibilities

• Review and oversee management financial statements and VAT returns.
• Review payroll processed by the payroll department.
• Assist in drafting client bills.
• Manage bookkeeping services ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Coordinate with providers and statutory authorities on behalf of clients.
• Monitor WIP against budgets and take corrective actions.
• Lead and develop a team of bookkeepers and management accountants.
• Identify and develop new client opportunities and relationships.

Skills

Supervisory/management experience

Managerial accounting expertise

Bookkeeping services knowledge

VAT compliance knowledge

Payroll basics

Time management

Attention to detail

Commercial awareness

Client-facing communication

Tools

Xero

Microsoft Office

Job description

Location: Hybrid / Borehamwood, UK
job type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector: Accounting & Finance | Audit & Practice
Salary: Negotiable salary

About us

Big decisions deserve clear thinking.

At Sopher + Co, we've spent more than 50 years helping entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals navigate complex financial and commercial challenges. From tax planning and private office services to business advisory and technology, we bring everything together to make life simpler and help our clients focus on what matters most.

We don't just solve problems. We build relationships, offer clarity, and give our clients the confidence to move forward. And it's our people who make that possible.

We started in Elstree in 1975, working closely with clients in the media, entertainment and music industries. Today, we support a diverse and prestigious client base across more than 20 sectors, with a continued strong and long-standing presence in entertainment and media.

While we've grown, our approach hasn't changed. We keep things straightforward and focus on advice that is practical, personal, and easy to act on.

If something's complex, we simplify it. That's where we add value.

The role

We're looking for an experienced Business Services Manager to join our team in our Borehamwood office on a 12 month FTC to cover maternity leave.

This is a senior, hands-on role where you'll manage and support a team of management accountants and bookkeepers, providing outsourced client services - including VAT returns - to a diverse range of clients.

You'll bring a strong practice background and the ability to lead a team while maintaining excellent standards of client service.

Other responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Reviewing and overseeing the preparation and completion of management financial statements and VAT returns.
• Reviewing clients' payroll when prepared by the payroll department.
• Assisting in the drafting of bills for clients.
• Managing bookkeeping services and ensuring they are provided accurately and in a timely manner.
• Liaising with various providers and statutory authorities on behalf of clients.
• Ensuring WIP levels are kept within set budgets and instructing corrective actions when budget overruns occur.
• Leading, motivating, training and supporting a team of bookkeepers and management accountants in building effective relationships with clients.
• Identifying and developing new client opportunities, and building strong relationships internally and externally to leverage work opportunities.

What you'll bring

You're technically strong and confident without relying on jargon. You build trust by making complex matters easy to understand.

You're organised, proactive, and take ownership of your work. You're comfortable managing your own workload and deadlines, and know how to prioritise effectively.

You communicate clearly and professionally, both in writing and verbally, and are confident dealing directly with clients.

You enjoy working in a collaborative team where knowledge is shared openly and people support one another.

You'll also bring:

• Relevant experience in a supervisory or managerial role within a practice environment.
• Sound knowledge of managerial accounting and bookkeeping services.
• Up to date knowledge of accounting practices and current developments.
• Good knowledge of Xero accounting software and the Microsoft Office suite.
• Good knowledge of VAT law and compliance.
• Basic knowledge of payroll services and company secretarial requirements.
• Outstanding time management skills, excellent attention to detail and strong problem-solving skills.
• A commercially minded outlook with the professionalism and confidence to build strong relationships through credibility, trust and mutual respect.

What you'll get in return

We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, designed to support your health, wellbeing, financial security and career development.

Our benefits include (some available from day one, others after probation or length of service):

• Private Medical Insurance
• Life assurance (Death in Service)
• Group Income Protection (GIP)
• Employee Assistance Programme and 24/7 Digital GP access
• Reward Gateway (employee discounts and cashback)
• Generous holiday entitlement, with the option to buy and sell leave
• Enhanced family-friendly policies
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Fully funded training packages with a generous exam reward structure
• Recognition and long-service milestones
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Discounted wills and LPAs
• Social committee and regular social events
• Fresh fruit in the office

Just as important is the environment. We're a friendly, supportive team where people enjoy working together and take pride in what they do.

You'll have the opportunity to work with a well-known client base across a wide range of industries, gaining exposure that is genuinely unique and difficult to find elsewhere in a firm of our size.

Our commitment

Sopher + Co strongly believe in staff development and continuously encourage internal progression, supporting you to grow your career within the firm.

We are committed to equality of opportunity in employment and expect all employees to act in accordance with this principle, recognising its importance to the success of our business.