Senior Accountant in Verwood

Dovetail Recruitment is working with a well-established and friendly Chartered Accountancy practice in Verwood who are looking for an experienced ACA/ACCA qualified Accounts Senior to join their team on an interim basis. This is an initial 3-month contract with the potential to extend, providing additional support to the Principal while the practice recruits for a permanent member of the compliance team. This would suit an experienced practice accountant who enjoys being hands-on, is confident working independently and is looking for an opportunity where they can make an immediate contribution.

About the role

Working closely with the Principal, you will support an established portfolio of owner-managed businesses, taking responsibility for statutory accounts and corporation tax compliance, as well as liaising directly with clients. The Principal will retain the overall client relationship, so this role is focused on providing experienced technical and compliance support and ensuring client work continues to progress smoothly.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare year-end statutory accounts for a portfolio of owner-managed limited companies
• Check and post prior-year alignment journals to client bookkeeping systems
• Work with Sage, Xero and QuickBooks
• Extract closing trial balances and prepare instruction packs for the outsourced accounts production partner
• Review outsourced draft accounts and working papers for accuracy and compliance with UK GAAP, FRS 102 and FRS 105
• Complete and finalise statutory accounts using Digita Accounts Production
• Prepare and finalise corporation tax computations using Digita Corporation Tax
• Support corporation tax compliance, including standard reliefs and claims such as capital allowances
• Prepare and maintain accurate electronic working papers
• Liaise directly with clients on accounts queries, sign-off and ad hoc compliance matters
• Work closely with the Principal to ensure client deadlines and deliverables are met
• Provide informal support and knowledge-sharing to junior team members where required

About you

We are looking for someone who can step into the practice and make an immediate contribution. You will ideally have:

• ACA or ACCA qualification, although strong finalist-level candidates may be considered
• Solid experience within a UK accountancy practice
• Strong statutory accounts production and corporation tax compliance experience
• Experience working with owner-managed businesses and SME clients
• The ability to work independently and manage your own workload
• Experience with Sage, Xero and QuickBooks
• Ideally, practical experience with Digita Accounts Production and Digita Corporation Tax
• Good knowledge of UK GAAP, particularly FRS 102 and FRS 105
• Experience working with an outsourced or offshore accounts production team would be a real advantage, although it is not essential.

What's on offer?

• Initial 3-month contract with potential extension
• Flexibility around days and hours for the right person
• Office-based in Verwood, Dorset
• A varied and hands-on role working closely with the Principal
• The opportunity to make an immediate impact during an important period for the business

This would suit an experienced Accounts Senior looking for a short-term interim opportunity, an ACA/ACCA professional available at short notice, or someone who would value some flexibility around their working days and hours.