Senior Accountant

Headstar; Leeds; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Holiday allowance

Employee Assistance Programme

Private medical insurance

Job summary

Headstar is seeking a Senior Accountant for the Business Services team in Leeds, focusing on SME and owner-managed clients. You will own a varied portfolio and maintain relationships throughout the year, not just year-end.

You will prepare statutory and management accounts, VAT returns, and tax work, with exposure to advising on commercial issues. This role offers clear career progression in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• ACA or ACCA qualified, or an exam finalist.
• Experience in accountancy practice with SME/owner-managed clients.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Proficient with Excel and modern accounting software.

Responsibilities

• Prepare statutory accounts and management accounts.
• Prepare and review VAT returns.
• Act as key contact for clients and build long-term relationships.
• Provide ongoing accounting support and mentor junior team members.
• Visit client premises as required and assist with tax compliance and advisory work.
• Review corporation tax returns and carry out capital allowance reviews.
• Collaborate with Managers and Partners on client assignments.
• Utilise ProAudit, IRIS, Xero and Sage in daily work.

Skills

Client relationship

Communication

UK accounting knowledge

Mentoring juniors

Education

ACA/ACCA qualified or exam finalist

Tools

ProAudit

IRIS

Xero

Sage

Job description

Build genuine relationships with clients rather than simply producing accounts and moving on to the next job.

Are you a practice accountant who enjoys getting to know your clients, understanding their businesses, and becoming someone they genuinely rely on?

We're working with a respected independent firm of Chartered Accountants in Leeds that is looking to appoint a Senior Accountant within its Business Services team.

This is an opportunity to work with a high-quality portfolio of predominantly owner-managed and family businesses, taking a genuinely client-facing role while building long-term relationships and becoming a trusted advisor.

The salary range is deliberately broad and the firm is open to speaking with candidates from newly qualified level through to Junior Manager level, depending on experience.

Why Join?

This is an independent firm where you'll have the opportunity to build your own relationships and develop your career without getting lost in layers of hierarchy.

• Work with a high-quality portfolio of SME and owner-managed clients
• Genuine client exposure and relationship building
• Broad and varied Business Services work
• One-team culture with no unnecessary hierarchy
• Autonomy and trust to do your job properly
• Supportive and inclusive environment
• Excellent scope for career progression
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Competitive holiday allowance, increasing with service
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Private medical insurance at Management level

The Role

You'll take ownership of a varied portfolio of SME and owner-managed clients, working closely with them throughout the year rather than simply appearing at year-end.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Preparing statutory accounts and management accounts
• Preparing and reviewing VAT returns
• Acting as a key point of contact for clients
• Building long-term relationships and providing ongoing accounting support
• Visiting client premises where required
• Supporting with corporation tax compliance and advisory work
• Reviewing corporation tax returns
• Carrying out capital allowance reviews
• Supporting and mentoring junior members of the team
• Working closely with Managers and Partners on client assignments
• Using a range of accounting technology including ProAudit, IRIS, Xero and Sage

This is a broad Business Services role with plenty of scope to develop both technically and commercially.

What They're Looking For

The firm is looking for someone with a strong practice background and experience working with a similar client base.

You'll ideally be:

• ACA or ACCA qualified, or an exam finalist
• Experienced within accountancy practice
• Comfortable preparing statutory accounts
• Confident working directly with SME and owner-managed business clients
• A strong communicator who enjoys building relationships
• Technically capable with a good understanding of UK accounting
• Comfortable using Excel and modern accounting software

Experience is more important than job title, which is why they're open to candidates ranging from newly qualified through to Junior Manager level.