At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a committed team and manage high-level accounting operations.
- Company: Established independent firm undergoing exciting changes.
- Benefits: Path to Directorship, influence culture, and competitive salary.
- Other info: Opportunity for long-term ownership and career progression.
- Why this job: Shape the future of the firm and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified ACA/ACCA accountant with strong leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Location: Wiltshire / Salisbury (office-based majority of the week)
Contract: Permanent
Practice: Established independent firm undergoing a major step‑change
This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced practice accountant who is ready to step beyond delivery and take real operational control. The firm is going through a period of change. The foundations are there — a loyal client base and a committed team — but it now needs a strong, credible leader to bring structure, raise standards and align people around a clear direction.
You’ll work directly with the owner to take ownership of the day to day running of the practice. That means leading the team properly, addressing performance issues, tightening processes and ensuring clients receive a consistent, high quality service.
This role will suit someone who is already operating at a senior level within practice — not just managing juniors, but influencing people, making decisions and holding others to account. You’ll need to be confident handling people challenges, comfortable having difficult conversations and capable of earning the respect of both clients and colleagues.
In return, there is a clear route to Directorship within the next 3–5 years, with genuine scope for future ownership. This is not a stepping stone role — it’s a long term opportunity for someone who wants to shape and lead a practice.
What You’ll Lead
- A committed team needing clarity, structure and consistent leadership
- A portfolio of loyal clients who expect high‑quality senior support
- Day‑to‑day operational decisions, workflow and standards
- Cultural upgrades: from “surviving change” to “future‑ready and high‑performing”
- The firm’s move toward a more modern, scalable, disciplined way of working
You’ll be the stabilising force — the person who brings direction, calm and momentum.
Manage and deliver high‑level technical work across accounts, advisory and review
- Lead, support and develop the team — and hold people to the standards the firm needs
- Sort issues early and stop them becoming bigger problems
- Oversee workflow, deadlines, output quality and client experience
- Improve processes, culture and operational discipline
- Partner with the owner on long‑term strategy, growth and succession planning
- Drive the operational maturity of the firm and prepare it for the next phase
Who This Role Is For
You are:
- A fully qualified ACA/ACCA accountant with strong post‑qualification practice experience
- A confident people manager who’s led teams properly (not just mentored juniors)
- Someone who can have tough conversations and reset expectations without drama
- Trusted by clients and respected by peers
- Calm, credible and structured — especially when things are changing
- Motivated by leadership, progression and actual influence, not just technical delivery
- Interested in becoming a Director within 3–5 years, with genuine ownership potential
This role will not suit:
- Someone with only junior‑level management exposure
- Someone who wants mostly technical work and no real leadership
- Someone who wants remote‑first working
- Someone who struggles with change, challenge or higher expectations
Why This Role?
It’s rare to find a practice where you can:
- Step into senior leadership immediately
- Fix what needs fixing
- Build something better
- Influence culture, operations and client experience
- Work directly with the owner on strategy
- Position yourself as the future of the firm
- Gain a real path to Directorship and long‑term ownership
The foundations are solid — they just need the right leader to bring them to life.
If you’re a seasoned Senior Accountant who wants leadership, influence and a future in practice ownership, this is worth a confidential conversation.
Senior Accountant employer: Hermitage Consultancy
Contact Detail:
Hermitage Consultancy Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Accountant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend local accounting events or join online forums. 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 researching the firm thoroughly. Understand their values, culture, and recent changes. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in leading their team through this transition.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed teams and navigated challenges. Highlight your ability to influence and inspire others, as this is key for the Senior Accountant role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Accountant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Senior Accountant role. Highlight your leadership experience and any operational improvements you've implemented in previous roles.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this position. Share specific examples of how you've led teams, managed client relationships, and navigated change in a practice environment.
Showcase Your People Skills: Since this role involves managing a team and having tough conversations, make sure to emphasise your people management skills. We want to see how you’ve influenced others and handled challenges in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves and allows us to connect with you more easily!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hermitage Consultancy
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Accountant, you’ll need to demonstrate your technical expertise. Brush up on key financial principles and be ready to discuss how you've applied them in previous roles. Prepare examples of how you've improved processes or resolved complex issues.
✨Show Leadership Skills
This role is all about leadership, so be prepared to share specific instances where you've led a team or influenced change. Think about how you’ve handled difficult conversations and what strategies you used to motivate your team during challenging times.
✨Understand the Firm's Vision
Research the firm’s current position and their future goals. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their vision of becoming a high-performing practice. Show that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you want to be part of their journey.
✨Prepare for Cultural Fit Questions
Given the firm's focus on culture and operational discipline, expect questions about how you would handle team dynamics and client relationships. Think about your approach to fostering a positive work environment and how you can help the firm transition into a more modern way of working.