Chartered Accountant

Ashton Recruitment; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Ashton Recruitment is assisting a Belfast-based practice in recruiting a Chartered Accountant to join the team on a full-time, permanent basis. The role focuses on accounts preparation, tax work, and direct client communication within a varied client portfolio.

The successful candidate will be ACA-qualified with experience in an accountancy practice, handling year-end accounts, tax returns and advisory tasks, while using cloud tools like Xero, Sage and QuickBooks.

Qualifications

• ACA-qualified or equivalent
• Excellent communication and client-facing skills
• Experience in accountancy practice and client relationships
• Strong attention to detail and deadlines
• Experience preparing accounts and tax returns

Responsibilities

• Prepare year-end accounts for sole traders, partnerships and companies
• Prepare and submit corporation and personal tax returns
• Manage a portfolio of clients and be main contact
• Provide advisory support and accounting guidance to clients
• Review bookkeeping and ensure accounting standards compliance
• Prepare VAT returns and management accounts as required
• Liaise with clients to gather information and resolve queries
• Support junior staff as needed
• Work with cloud software (Xero, Sage, QuickBooks)

Skills

ACA qualification

Communication

Client management

Tax preparation

Education

ACA qualification or equivalent

Tools

Xero

Sage

QuickBooks

Job description

Chartered Accountant

Location: Belfast
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Salary: £40,000 - £50,000 per annum

Our client is a long-established and highly respected accountancy practice with a strong reputation for delivering tailored financial and advisory services to SMEs, owner-managed businesses, and growing organisations across Northern Ireland.

With a modern and client-focused approach, the firm provides a full range of services including accounts preparation, tax compliance, payroll, VAT, cloud accounting, and business advisory support.

Due to continued growth, they are now seeking an experienced Qualified Accountant to join their Belfast office.

The Role

This is an excellent opportunity for a practice-trained accountant looking to join a supportive and professional environment with exposure to a varied client portfolio.

The successful candidate will take ownership of accounts preparation, tax work, and client communication, working closely with a range of businesses across multiple sectors.

The role would suit an ACA-qualified accountant coming from an accountancy practice environment who enjoys building strong client relationships and delivering high-quality work.

Key Responsibilities

• Preparation of year-end accounts for sole traders, partnerships, and limited companies
• Preparation and submission of corporation tax and personal tax returns
• Managing a portfolio of clients and acting as a key point of contact
• Providing support and advice to clients on financial and accounting matters
• Reviewing bookkeeping records and ensuring compliance with accounting standards
• Preparing VAT returns and management accounts where required
• Liaising directly with clients to resolve queries and gather financial information
• Supporting junior team members where appropriate
• Working with cloud accounting software including Xero, Sage, and QuickBooks

Essential Criteria

• ACA qualified (or equivalent qualification considered)
• Previous experience within an accountancy practice environment
• Strong experience preparing accounts for a variety of clients
• Experience with corporation tax and personal tax preparation
• Excellent communication and client relationship skills
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage deadlines

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working with cloud accounting systems such as Xero, Sage, or QuickBooks
• Exposure to management accounts and advisory work
• Ability to manage a client portfolio independently

Why Apply?

• Join a highly reputable and established accountancy practice
• Exposure to a broad and varied client portfolio
• Supportive and collaborative working environment
• Opportunity for long-term progression and development
• Modern, cloud-focused practice with strong technical expertise