Accounts and Business Manager

Hays are working with a Top 10 firm in Ipswich to source an Accounting and Business Manager for their growing team. As a Manager, you will take ownership of a client portfolio, leading the preparation and review of accounts while ensuring compliance with relevant standards and deadlines. You will manage and develop a team, oversee workflow planning, and act as a trusted advisor to clients on a range of financial and business matters. This is a key role within the team, focused on delivering high-quality client service while contributing to the ongoing growth and development of the practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Client & Portfolio Management
  • Manage a portfolio of clients, acting as the main point of contact
  • Build strong relationships, understanding clients’ businesses, objectives, and challenges
  • Lead year-end accounts discussions and identify opportunities to provide additional advisory services
  • Respond to client queries independently and proactively
• Team Leadership & Development
  • Manage and support a team, ensuring effective workflow planning and delivery
  • Review work produced by junior team members, providing constructive feedback and coaching
  • Allocate work effectively, encouraging development through challenging assignments
  • Support recruitment, interviews, and development of junior staff
• Service Delivery & Compliance
  • Oversee the preparation and review of statutory accounts and financial reporting
  • Ensure all work is completed in line with accounting standards and internal procedures
  • Manage deadlines across the portfolio to ensure timely delivery
  • Maintain high levels of accuracy and attention to detail
• Commercial & Operational Management
  • Monitor WIP and ensure timely billing, addressing any recoverability concerns
  • Challenge fee levels in line with job recovery and commercial performance
  • Contribute to proposals, tenders, and fee quotes to support new business generation
  • Drive efficiency improvements and adopt new technologies where appropriate

Core Competencies

• Client Focus
  • Strong understanding of client needs, markets, and business environments
  • Ability to identify opportunities to add value and support business growth
  • Confident in managing client relationships independently
• Technical Excellence
  • Maintains strong technical knowledge of accounts and business advisory services
  • Able to interpret financial results and provide meaningful commercial insight
  • Shares knowledge with the wider team and contributes to training initiatives
• Leadership & Commitment
  • Takes ownership of team performance and workflow planning
  • Identifies skills gaps and supports ongoing development initiatives
  • Demonstrates enthusiasm and actively contributes to team and firm-wide activities
• Technical Skills
  • Preparation and review of statutory and consolidated accounts
  • Ability to interpret financial data, including working capital and cash flow
  • Experience preparing and reviewing forecasts and projections
  • Strong understanding of VAT, including partial exemption and reverse-charge
  • Ability to identify and explain prior period adjustments
  • Experience advising on financial performance and business planning
  • Exposure to group structures, consolidations, and reliefs desirable.

Key Behaviours

• Strong decision-making skills and confidence in managing responsibility
• Ability to challenge existing processes and drive continuous improvement
• Encourages independent thinking within the team
• Demonstrates integrity and alignment with firm values

Qualifications & Experience

• ACA, ACCA or equivalent qualified (or qualified by experience)
• Proven experience within an accountancy practice environment
• Demonstrable experience managing client portfolios and leading teams
• Strong technical accounts and advisory background

What’s on Offer

• Opportunity to lead a portfolio and play a key role in team development
• Exposure to a broad range of clients and advisory work
• Clear progression pathway within a growing practice
• Supportive and collaborative working environment

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.