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 professional 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 new 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 recent 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
#J-*****-Ljbffr

📌 Accounting Manager - Ipswich (Queensland)
🏢 Ambition
📍 Queensland