Client Lead - Outsourced Accounts

Ballards LLP; Droitwich Spa; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Ballards LLP in Droitwich/Worcester is seeking a Client Lead to join our Outsourced Accounts team. This hands-on, client-facing role manages a portfolio of owner-managed businesses, acting as day-to-day contact to keep finances accurate and moving forward.

You’ll work across management accounts, VAT, bookkeeping and cloud accounting (Xero), balancing deadlines and providing practical support. AAT level 3+ is welcome; experience in practice is essential; hybrid working with 60% office-based.

Qualifications

• Experience in an accountancy practice, ideally Outsourced Accounts or Business Services.
• Strong VAT knowledge and VAT return experience.
• Experience preparing management accounts and month-end processes.
• Good bookkeeping with double-entry and reconciliations.
• Knowledge of CIS and PAYE/payroll accounting.
• Ability to manage multiple clients and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of a varied portfolio of owner-managed clients and build strong relationships with business owners.
• Prepare management accounts, month-end journals, accruals, prepayments, reconciliations and supporting schedules.
• Prepare and submit VAT returns, using strong practical VAT knowledge to identify and resolve queries.
• Provide bookkeeping support and maintain accurate client accounting records.
• Work with CIS and PAYE/payroll-related accounting information where relevant.
• Manage multiple recurring client deadlines and priorities at the same time.
• Proactively chase information, anticipate client requirements and keep work progressing.
• Manage client expectations professionally, including changing priorities and urgent requests.
• Use Xero and other cloud accounting systems, including providing practical client support and Xero training where required.
• Collaborate with Outsourced Accounts and the wider Business Services team, supporting and reviewing junior colleagues.

Skills

Client relationships

VAT knowledge

Management accounts

Bookkeeping

CIS & PAYE

Multi-client deadlines

Organisational skills

Proactive approach

Xero (cloud accounting)

Education

AAT Level 3 or equivalent

AAT Level 4 / ACA / ACCA advantageous

Tools

Cloud accounting software (Xero)

Job description

Ballards LLP: New Vacancy

Role: Client Lead – Outsourced Accounts

Location: Droitwich / Worcester

Flexibility: Hybrid: 60% office based

Are you an experienced practice accountant who enjoys the variety of working with owner-managed businesses and wants genuine ownership of your client relationships?

We are looking for a Client Lead to join our Outsourced Accounts team at Ballards. This is a hands-on, client-facing role where you will manage a varied portfolio of owner-managed businesses, acting as a trusted day-to-day contact and helping clients keep their finances accurate, organised and moving forward.

You will work across management accounts, VAT, bookkeeping and wider outsourced finance support. The role is fast-paced and varied: you may be balancing multiple VAT deadlines, management accounts cycles and client requests at the same time, so strong organisation, confidence with clients and a proactive approach are essential.

What you’ll be doing

• Taking ownership of a varied portfolio of owner-managed business clients and building strong relationships with business owners.
• Preparing management accounts, month-end journals, accruals, prepayments, reconciliations and supporting schedules.
• Preparing and submitting VAT returns, using strong practical VAT knowledge to identify and resolve queries.
• Providing bookkeeping support and maintaining accurate client accounting records.
• Working with CIS and PAYE/payroll-related accounting information where relevant.
• Managing multiple recurring client deadlines and priorities at the same time.
• Proactively chasing information, anticipating client requirements and keeping work progressing without needing to be chased.
• Managing client expectations professionally, including changing priorities and urgent requests.
• Using Xero and other cloud accounting systems, including providing practical client support and Xero training where required.
• Working closely with colleagues across Outsourced Accounts and the wider Business Services team, supporting and reviewing junior colleagues where appropriate.

What we’re looking for

• Previous experience within an accountancy practice is essential, ideally within Outsourced Accounts, Business Services or a similar client-facing team.
• Strong practical VAT knowledge and experience preparing VAT returns.
• Experience preparing management accounts and completing month-end accounting processes.
• Good bookkeeping experience, with a sound understanding of double-entry accounting and reconciliations.
• Working knowledge of CIS and PAYE/payroll-related accounting information.
• Experience managing work across multiple clients and competing deadlines.
• Confidence dealing directly with business owners and managing client expectations.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to remain calm in periods of high-volume work.
• A proactive approach - someone who takes ownership, spots what is needed and keeps both clients and work moving.
• Confidence using cloud accounting software, particularly Xero.

Qualifications

AAT Level 3 or equivalent practical experience is expected. AAT Level 4, further accountancy study (ACA or ACCA) or qualification by experience (QBE) would be advantageous.

About Ballards

Ballards LLP is a firm of chartered accountants and business advisers, supporting owner-managed businesses and organisations across a wide range of sectors. With offices in Birmingham, Droitwich and Worcester, we provide services across accountancy, audit, tax and business advisory, combining specialist expertise with a personal, commercially focused approach.

We are continuing to grow and invest in our people, technology and client service. Our Outsourced Accounts team works closely with clients as an extension of their own business, providing timely financial information, practical support and day-to-day accounting expertise.

Build your career at Ballards

At Ballards, we want you to have the opportunity to shape a career that reflects your strengths, interests and ambitions.

Although this role sits within Outsourced Accounts, your development does not have to stop there. As part of the wider Business Services team, you will have the opportunity to gain hands-on exposure across different areas of client work, broaden your technical knowledge and develop your commercial understanding.

Whether you want to deepen your expertise in outsourced finance, strengthen your management accounts and advisory skills, take on greater client responsibility, develop others or gain wider experience across Business Services, we will encourage you to take ownership of your development.

There isn't just one route forward at Ballards - we want to give you the experience, responsibility and support to build a career that works for you.