Senior Accounts Manager - Associate Director

Butler Rose Ltd; Burnley; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A mid-sized accountancy firm in Burnley seeks a Senior Accounts Manager or Associate Director to lead a developing team and influence the practice's growth. Responsibilities include managing a diverse client portfolio while fostering a high-performance culture. The role requires ACA or ACCA qualification with strong experience in UK practice and team leadership. The firm offers structured growth opportunities, a collaborative culture, and benefits such as a pension scheme, private healthcare, and generous leave policies.

Benefits

Clear pathway to Directorship

Collaborative working culture

25 days annual leave and bank holidays

Hybrid working arrangements

Private healthcare

Qualifications

• 5+ years of post-qualification experience in UK practice.
• Experience managing teams and developing junior staff.
• Background in accounts and advisory work; audit experience beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team, setting high standards.
• Manage a client portfolio delivering high-quality service.
• Collaborate on firm-wide strategy and operational improvements.

Skills

Team leadership

Digital tools adoption

Client relationship management

Strategic mindset

Business development

Education

ACA or ACCA qualified

Job description

Senior Accounts Manager / Associate Director

Burnley

£60,000 - £80,000

Butler Rose are pleased to be recruiting for a progressive, medium‑sized accountancy firm based in Burnley, a practice with a strong reputation for supporting owner‑managed businesses and SMEs.

This role offers the chance to lead a developing team and play a central part in shaping and growing the practice. You will manage a varied client portfolio and work closely with the senior leadership to drive the next stage of the firm’s development.

Duties

• Lead, support and develop a team, setting high standards and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Modernise internal processes and champion adoption of digital tools, automation, and efficient ways of working.
• Manage a broad client portfolio covering accounts, audit and advisory services to SMEs/OMBs, delivering high‑quality service and building lasting relationships.
• Identify opportunities to add value for clients, contribute to business development and support profitable growth of the practice.
• Collaborate with senior leadership on firm‑wide strategy, operational improvements and development of new service lines.
• Lead and manage change initiatives, helping the team adapt to improved systems, technology, and ways of working.

What we’re looking for

• ACA or ACCA qualified (or equivalent), with strong post‑qualification experience in UK practice.
• Demonstrable experience managing people and developing junior staff.
• Solid background across accounts and advisory work; audit exposure would be beneficial.
• Strong commercial awareness, with the ability to identify growth opportunities and understand what contributes to a practice’s profitability.
• Strategic mindset with ability to balance day‑to‑day client needs against long‑term business objectives.
• Comfortable embracing and driving the adoption of digital tools, automation or emerging tech in practice workflows.
• Ideally, familiarity with North West SMEs or OMB clients, though not essential.

Benefits

• Clear, structured pathway to Directorship – with mentoring and genuine opportunity for growth.
• A real chance to influence how the firm evolves, shaping its future direction and service offering.
• Collaborative, supportive working culture that values teamwork, innovation and development.
• Pension scheme, private healthcare (or similar) and other standard employee benefit offerings.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and hybrid/flexible working arrangements.

If you’re an experienced Senior Accounts Manager or Associate Director looking for a role where you can make a real impact, lead a growing team and help drive a practice forward, we’d love to hear from you.

Butler Rose is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.

Butler Rose Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.