Commercial Practice Accountant | Client Advisory & Growth

THIS ISN'T YOUR TYPICAL PRACTICE ROLE. If you are an experienced practice accountant who has reached the point where you want to have an influence rather than simply process work, this could be an opportunity worth exploring.

We are working on behalf of a successful, independent accountancy practice that has built its reputation through relationships, trust and genuinely personal client service. The owner is now looking for someone to become their trusted Number 2 - someone who can bring their own ideas, challenge constructively, take ownership and help shape the next stage of the business.

What will you actually be doing? This is a deliberately broad position for someone who enjoys understanding businesses, solving problems and working with people, rather than sitting behind a desk producing accounts all day. You’ll be involved in:

• Managing and developing relationships with a portfolio of owner-managed businesses and SMEs
• Attending client, new-business and year-end meetings
• Preparing and reviewing management and year-end accounts
• Providing practical accounting advice and answering technical queries
• Identifying poor processes or accounting habits and helping clients put them right
• Supporting basic tax compliance and advisory work
• Providing elements of outsourced FD support
• Contributing to new-business strategy and the future direction of the practice
• Helping develop the firm’s processes and service offering as it grows
• Playing a key role in bringing more accounts production in-house as the business expands

You’ll have a voice. You’ll be expected to use it. This is not a role where you’ll have to work your way through several layers of management before an idea can be implemented. You’ll work directly with the owner and have genuine scope to influence how the practice develops.

THE BUSINESS BEHIND THE ROLE. This is an established independent practice with around 200 clients, predominantly owner-managed businesses and SMEs. It has recently secured an exciting new opportunity which could ultimately double the size of the practice allowing them to organically grow their team year on year. So whilst the business is deliberately retaining its personal, close-knit feel, growth is very much on the agenda. The ambition is to continue building the team steadily over the coming years, creating an environment where people can grow with the business rather than simply filling a seat.

WHO ARE THEY LOOKING FOR? Here’s the important bit. The owner isn’t looking for a particular qualification on a piece of paper. They are looking for the right person. You’ll ideally have circa 10 years accountancy practice experience and be comfortable working with owner-managed businesses. You might be ACA/ACCA qualified, AAT qualified or QBE - technical credibility and practical experience matter more than letters after your name.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, YOU'LL BE SOMEONE WHO:

• Genuinely enjoys working with clients and building relationships
• Is commercially minded and understands that a successful practice needs to make money
• Can explain financial information to business owners in a straightforward, practical way
• Is confident enough to make decisions and take ownership
• Enjoys variety rather than doing the same thing every day
• Has the maturity to become a trusted second-in-command
• Is proactive and naturally looks for ways to improve things
• Wants to make a genuine contribution to a growing business
• Is looking for a long-term home, rather than simply the next move on their CV

PERSONALITY MATTERS ENORMOUSLY HERE. You could be technically brilliant, but if you don’t enjoy people, this probably isn’t the environment for you. Equally, if you’re an excellent client-facing accountant who wants more autonomy, more variety and the opportunity to actually influence a business, this could be a very different kind of practice opportunity.

AND WHAT ABOUT THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT? The office is deliberately small and personable, and being present with the team and clients is important. That said, the business recognises that experienced professionals have lives outside work and is open to flexible working arrangements, including the potential for one day working from home and flexibility around working hours for the right person. The office is easily accessible with parking available.

The package includes: £50,000+ depending on experience, 25 days holiday + bank holidays, Flexible working available. Location: Leyland. Genuine Number 2 / long-term career opportunity.

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.