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 client service.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and clear progression pathways.
- Why this job: Develop leadership skills while making a real impact in accounting and advisory.
- Qualifications: ACA, ACCA, CA qualified or equivalent experience with strong accounting knowledge.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment with opportunities for professional growth.
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.
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.
Accountant in Saxmundham 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
✨Tip Number 1
Networking is key! Reach out to your connections in the accounting field and let them know you're on the lookout for new opportunities. You never know who might have a lead or be able to refer you to a great role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its clients. Understand their business needs and challenges so you can demonstrate how your skills can add value. This will show you're not just another candidate, but someone who truly gets what they do.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to client management and technical expertise. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to build confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s a straightforward way to get your application noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team and ready to take on the exciting challenges ahead.
We think you need these skills to ace Accountant in Saxmundham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Assistant Accountant role. Highlight relevant experience and skills that match the job description, like your technical understanding of accounting standards and your ability to manage client portfolios.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention your proactive mindset and how you can contribute to delivering exceptional client service.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves supporting junior colleagues, don’t forget to mention any leadership or mentoring experience you have. We want to see how you can help develop others while also managing your own portfolio.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, so don’t miss out!
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 from your experience that demonstrate your technical expertise, especially in areas like financial reporting and VAT queries.
✨Build Rapport with Clients
Since client relationships are key in this role, think of ways you can showcase your ability to build trust and understand client needs. Prepare anecdotes that highlight how you've successfully managed client portfolios and delivered high-quality service.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
As an Assistant Accountant, you'll be guiding junior team members. Be prepared to talk about your experience in coaching or mentoring others. Share specific instances where you contributed to team planning or supported colleagues through feedback.
✨Be Proactive and Detail-Oriented
Demonstrate your proactive mindset by discussing how you manage workflow and ensure compliance with deadlines. Highlight your attention to detail by mentioning how you’ve addressed technical review points in past roles, ensuring accuracy before final sign-off.