Associate Director - Audit, Accounts & Tax

If you're a qualified accountant with a strong practice background and the ability to lead people as well as technical work, this is a role worth exploring.

Our client, a well-established accountancy practice, is looking for an experienced Accounts Manager to take ownership of a portfolio of clients, lead a team of accounting professionals, and deliver a high standard of year‑end and advisory services. This is a role with genuine breadth, combining hands‑on technical work with team leadership, client relationship management, and input into business development.

You'll play a central part in how the team operates, driving quality, efficiency, and career development across the department.

What You'll Be Doing

Client and Portfolio Management

- Managing a portfolio of client accounts and acting as the primary point of contact for queries, taking ownership of resolutions with minimal escalation
- Developing a thorough understanding of each client's business, objectives, and risk profile, using this knowledge to brief and direct junior team members effectively
- Leading year‑end accounts discussions with clients and identifying relevant opportunities to expand the scope of service
- Reviewing work‑in‑progress on a monthly basis to ensure fees are raised appropriately and any irrecoverable time is properly accounted for
- Contributing to the preparation of proposals and fee quotes, and attending client tender meetings as part of the firm's recent business activity

Technical Accounting

- Preparing and reviewing consolidated accounts,



including identifying consolidation adjustments
- Preparing and reviewing three‑way cashflow forecasts, applying client‑specific knowledge to identify anomalies and document supporting assumptions
- Interpreting working capital ratios (such as debtor days) and drawing commercial conclusions from financial results
- Reviewing VAT treatment, including partial exemption and reverse charge entries
- Considering group loss relief options and remuneration planning scenarios for senior review
- Identifying when prior period adjustments are required and determining the appropriate course of action

Team Leadership and Development

- Taking responsibility for workflow planning across the team, ensuring client deadlines and business priorities are met
- Reviewing team timesheets on a weekly basis to ensure time is posted correctly and non‑chargeable entries are appropriately challenged
- Supporting junior team members through meaningful delegation, constructive feedback, and targeted development opportunities
- Delivering internal training and development initiatives and sharing relevant technical updates with the wider team
- Participating in the recruitment and selection process for junior hires

Efficiency and Improvement





- Challenging existing approaches and proposing alternatives that improve efficiency without compromising quality
- Championing the adoption of new technologies and leading their implementation within the department
- Monitoring fee recovery trends and challenging client fee levels where appropriate

What We're Looking For

- A professional accountancy qualification such as ACA, ACCA, or CA, or equivalent experience gained through practice
- Solid background in an accountancy practice environment, with demonstrable experience across year‑end accounts preparation and advisory services
- Experience managing or supervising a team, with the confidence to delegate, develop, and hold people accountable
- Strong technical grounding in areas including consolidated accounts, cashflow forecasting, VAT, and commercial interpretation of financial results
- The ability to manage multiple client relationships and deadlines simultaneously
- A clear and confident communicator, able to present financial information to clients in a straightforward and accessible way
- A proactive approach to problem‑solving, with the confidence to make decisions within your remit and escalate appropriately when needed

Nice to Have

- Experience contributing to business development, including proposals, fee negotiations, or client tenders
- Familiarity with remuneration planning and group tax structures
- A track record of leading or championing technology or process improvement initiatives within a practice setting

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📌 Accounting Manager - Ipswich (City of Ipswich)
🏢 Ambition
📍 City of Ipswich