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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage client accounts, guide junior team members, and ensure high-quality deliverables.
- Company: Join a respected professional services organisation with a focus on collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy clear progression pathways, hybrid working, and a competitive salary package.
- Why this job: Develop leadership skills while making a real impact in accounting and advisory.
- Qualifications: ACA, ACCA, CA qualified or qualified by experience with strong technical understanding.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with exposure to diverse clients and assignments.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Hays is working in partnership with a highly respected professional services organisation to recruit an ambitious Assistant Accountant within their Business services team. This opportunity offers real scope for progression, hands-on responsibility, and the chance to play a key role in delivering exceptional client service across a varied portfolio.
Your new role
As an Assistant Manager, you'll take ownership of preparing and reviewing client accounts, managing workflow across your portfolio and guiding junior team members. You'll bridge the gap between operational delivery and managerial responsibility, ensuring technical accuracy, supporting more complex advisory work, and strengthening client relationships. This is a role that will allow you to develop your leadership skills while continuing to expand your technical expertise across accounting, tax, and advisory.
What you'll be doing
- Client Delivery & Portfolio Management
- Manage your own portfolio of clients, ensuring all work is planned, scheduled and delivered in line with agreed timescales.
- Build trusted relationships with clients, understanding their business needs, risks and challenges.
- Provide clear updates throughout the engagement and ensure high-quality deliverables.
- Support fee discussions and maintain accurate engagement terms.
- Identify opportunities for value-added services.
- Technical Excellence
- Apply strong knowledge of accounting standards and professional requirements.
- Review key areas of assignments, ensuring working papers are accurate, justified and ready for partner review.
- Assist with complex financial reporting, VAT queries and medium-risk tax returns.
- Provide high-level explanations to clients on topics such as R&D relief, group loss relief and regulatory updates.
- Ensure all technical review points are addressed prior to final sign-off.
- Leadership & People Development
- Support junior colleagues through coaching, feedback and performance reviews.
- Contribute to team planning discussions and ensure everyone understands objectives, risks and responsibilities.
- Play an active role in recruitment and onboarding of new team members.
- Demonstrate and promote company values, setting a strong example in behaviour and work ethic.
- Operational & Commercial Awareness
- Monitor WIP, prepare draft fees and deliver work efficiently to expected recovery rates.
- Communicate proactively when scope or deadlines change.
- Confidently make decisions within remit and escalate when needed.
- Ensure compliance with Companies House and statutory filing requirements.
What you'll need to succeed
- ACA, ACCA, CA qualified or qualified by experience.
- Strong experience gained within an accountancy practice.
- Excellent technical understanding of accounting standards and tax fundamentals.
- A proactive mindset with strong attention to detail and commercial awareness.
- Confidence in reviewing work, supporting junior staff and communicating with clients.
- A commitment to delivering high-quality work and continuous improvement.
What you'll get in return
At Hays, we know that the right opportunity can transform your career. In this role, you can expect:
- Clear progression pathways and professional development support.
- A collaborative, people-focused team environment.
- Exposure to a wide range of clients and assignments.
- Hybrid working arrangements and a competitive salary package.
What to do now
If you're ready to move forward in your career and take on a role where your contribution truly matters please contact Cara Whyte at Hays.
Locations
Accountant in Saxmundham, Suffolk employer: Hays Accounts and Finance
Contact Detail:
Hays Accounts and Finance Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Accountant in Saxmundham, Suffolk
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the accounting field and let them know you're on the hunt for an Assistant Accountant role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and client management skills. Be ready to discuss how you've handled complex financial reporting or supported junior colleagues in the past. Show them you’re the perfect fit for their team!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on companies that align with your values and career goals. Check out our website for opportunities at Hays and tailor your approach to highlight how you can contribute to their client delivery and portfolio management.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Use this opportunity to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and how you can add value to their team.
We think you need these skills to ace Accountant in Saxmundham, Suffolk
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Assistant Accountant role. Highlight your accounting qualifications, relevant experience, and any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how your background aligns with our needs. Be genuine and let your personality come through – we love to see enthusiasm!
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Since this role requires strong technical knowledge, make sure to mention specific accounting standards and tax fundamentals you’re familiar with. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so don’t hold back on your expertise!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Accounts and Finance
✨Know Your Numbers
Brush up on your accounting standards and tax fundamentals before the interview. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've applied these in your previous roles, especially in client delivery and portfolio management.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare to talk about your experience in coaching and supporting junior colleagues. Think of instances where you’ve contributed to team planning or recruitment, as this will demonstrate your readiness for a managerial role.
✨Build Client Relationships
Be prepared to discuss how you’ve built trusted relationships with clients in the past. Highlight your proactive communication style and how you’ve managed client expectations, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
Think about how you’ve monitored work in progress (WIP) and prepared draft fees in your previous positions. Show that you understand the importance of efficiency and compliance, and be ready to discuss how you’ve made decisions within your remit.
