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: Dynamic team environment with exposure to diverse clients and assignments.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Qualified accountant job in Saxmundham. 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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 on your career.
Locations
Accountant in Saxmundham, Suffolk employer: Hays
Contact Detail:
Hays Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Accountant in Saxmundham, Suffolk
✨Tip Number 1
Networking is key! Get out there and connect with professionals in the accounting field. Attend industry events, join online forums, or even reach out to alumni from your university. You never know who might have a lead on your next opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Don’t underestimate the power of social media. Use platforms like LinkedIn to showcase your skills and experience. Engage with posts related to accounting and connect with potential employers. It’s a great way to get noticed!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios specific to accounting roles. Think about how you can demonstrate your technical knowledge and leadership skills. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to build confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that could be perfect for you. Keep an eye on our listings and make sure your application stands out by tailoring it to each role.
We think you need these skills to ace Accountant in Saxmundham, Suffolk
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Assistant Accountant. Highlight your relevant experience, especially in client delivery and technical excellence, to show us you’re the right fit for our team.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how your skills align with the job description. We want to see your proactive mindset and attention to detail shining through in your application.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our team. Share specific examples of your past experiences that relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates regarding your application status.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨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 this knowledge in 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 played a role in recruitment—these are key aspects of the Assistant Accountant role.
✨Build Client Relationships
Demonstrate your ability to build trusted relationships with clients. Have a few anecdotes ready that highlight how you've understood client needs and delivered high-quality work, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Be Proactive and Detail-Oriented
Exhibit your proactive mindset by discussing how you manage workflow and deadlines. Highlight your attention to detail by sharing examples of how you've ensured compliance with statutory requirements and maintained accuracy in your work.