Associate Director - Accounts in London

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 brought LB 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 various locations. 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.

As an Associate Director within our expanding Accounts service line you will lead a high-value client portfolio, delivering strategic, compliant, and commercially successful services. You will act as a key advisor to clients, supporting business development efforts and identifying opportunities to add value. Internally, you will oversee and mentor Managers and Senior Managers, role model the firm’s values, and contribute to service line strategy, operational projects, and change initiatives. You’ll take ownership of process improvements, risk management, and cross-location collaboration, while supporting the Director or Service Line Head in achieving team and firm-wide objectives.

You will be supported in your role with line management and leadership training as well as CPD access via various platforms. Together with your line manager you will craft a development plan that sees you succeed in your role and plan for the next step should you wish to take it.

• Lead service delivery for a portfolio of high-value or technically complex clients, ensuring timely, high-quality, and compliant output.
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients, providing strategic, commercially sound advice and proactively identifying opportunities to add value.
• Maintain strong client relationships through regular contact, effective communication, and a deep understanding of client needs.
• Monitor WIP, billing, and recovery rates across your portfolio, taking proactive action to maximise profitability and manage overruns or scope creep.
• Meet targets for billable hours, utilisation, and portfolio profitability, ensuring jobs are delivered within agreed budgets and timeframes.
• Contribute to fee discussions, service scoping, and pricing strategy in collaboration with Directors and Partners.
• Contribute insights to the development of service line and group strategy, particularly in any areas of specialism or market knowledge.
• Support Directors and Service Line Leaders on strategic initiatives and internal planning projects.
• Take ownership of service line projects, driving outcomes that support operational efficiency, quality, or growth.
• Stay informed on market trends, competitor activity, and emerging client needs to inform service line positioning.
• Provide ongoing guidance and structured development opportunities to junior team members.
• Act as a role model for firm values and behaviours, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct or support performance appraisals, 1:1s, and feedback processes to drive individual and team growth.
• Champion diversity and inclusion within the team, promoting open, honest, and two-way communication across locations.
• Identify and lead process improvements that enhance service efficiency, quality, or client experience.
• Support the adoption and implementation of new technology or systems, advocating for smarter ways of working.
• Ensure all services are delivered in line with firm quality standards, ethical policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Manage risks associated with client engagements, including reputational, legal, and compliance risks.
• Support Directors with business development activities including proposals, pitches, and client onboarding.
• Identify and act on cross-selling or upselling opportunities within your client portfolio.
• Represent the firm at industry events, networking opportunities, and speaking engagements.

• ACA, ACCA or equivalent qualification (fully qualified with significant post-qualification experience).
• Typically 10+ years in practice with demonstrable experience managing large or complex clients.
• Expert technical knowledge of UK GAAP (FRS 102), Companies Act, and tax principles.
• Track record in commercial portfolio management, WIP/billing oversight, and client retention.
• Strong leadership and coaching skills, including mentoring Managers and future leaders.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to contribute to business planning and change initiatives.
• High-level communication and interpersonal skills, with credibility to represent the firm.

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:

• Auto enrolment Pension Scheme with True Potential
• Death in Service
• Professional membership support
• Paycare – claim money back for Dental / Optical / Professional Therapies
• Agile/Hybrid Working Policy
• Dress for your Diary Policy

Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.

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.

For applicants: this role is based in the Orpington/Sidcup/Sutton area and may require travel to other locations as needed.