Accounts Manager (Practice)

Affinia is a leading, UK Top 50 Accountancy firm. Through successful acquisitions and organic growth, the firm has seen significant development within the last 18 months. Last October we launched our new brand ‘Affinia’ which saw the coming together of Richard Edwards Group and six other likeminded firms across the East & South East of England to form a combined challenger accounting, tax and business advisory firm. With a combined heritage spanning over 300 years, we have more than 400 accountancy professionals based in Stratford, Colchester, Chelmsford, Ipswich, Halstead, Harlow, Orpington, Sidcup and Sutton. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across seven principal practice groups: Accountancy & Advisory, Tax and Planning, Audit Services, Corporate Finance, Digital Solutions, Payroll and Financial Planning.

Purpose of the Role:

Affinia is recruiting for an Accounts Manager to come and join the Accounts department in our Ipswich office. Working with the senior management team, you will manage a client portfolio of c60 clients – diverse, different entity types and sizes with full support from the Associate Director and the senior management team. Reporting into our Director, you will be working as part of a team for clients such as high net worth individuals, trusts, estates and companies, to name a few.

Accountabilities:

• Overseeing and taking responsibility of a portfolio of clients to ensure compliance for tax and accounting purposes with support from the senior management team.
• Be the first point of contact for your clients, working closely with the designated Director and senior management team.
• Assisting and taking the lead in the supervision of team members and the management of workflow through the office immediately.
• Collaboratively work with other departments within our group.
• Undertake the review of compliance work including year-end statutory accounts, VAT returns, management accounts and personal/company tax returns.
• Assisting clients with queries and advising clients where necessary.
• Assisting Directors with ad hoc projects.
• Begin to proactively build a network of professional contacts for the firm with a view to drive growth on both compliance and advisory work.
• Own and manage Work in progress and billing requirements on their portfolio.
• Take a lead role in supporting and training staff to ensure continued excellence and development of individuals.
• Additional responsibilities as and when identified in association with expectations of the role.

Skills/Qualifications:

• Ideally you will have a minimum of 5 years+ practice experience working for a leading Accountancy Practice.
• Previous experience as a high-level senior or assistant manager essential.
• Previous experience with assisting the management of a client portfolio and delivering a suite of services or substantial client contact and interaction desired.
• Previous experience in dealing with clients and managing a small portfolio is an advantage.
• Previous experience at a firm similar in size to Affinia or larger, ideally with multiple offices/departments.

We are seeking a candidate that has:

• A qualified Accountant (ACA/ACCA).
• The ability to convey and explain ideas.
• Strong IT/Microsoft abilities.
• Exceptional communication skills.
• Ideally hands-on experience with some client facing in a previous role.
• Previous experience of CCH desirable.

Culture / Benefits:

At Affinia, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth. Alongside a flexible and inclusive work environment, we offer the following core benefits:

• 25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays.
• Professional membership support.
• Auto enrolment Pension Scheme.
• Agile/Hybrid Working Policy.
• Dress for your Diary Policy.
• Free parking.

Affinia is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. We welcome applications from people looking for flexible and agile roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.

Affinia is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.