Job Title: Senior Accountant / Head of Technical Accounting
Location: Remote first role with roughly 2 days per month in our North-East based office
Salary: Up to £65,000 plus bonus
About the Business
J W Jefferson & Co is a boutique accountancy and advisory practice supporting mainly small and medium-sized UK limited companies and ambitious owner-managed businesses. Our approach combines senior expertise, personal service and clear, practical advice informed by an understanding of each client’s business.
Founded by Jamie Jefferson FCCA, a Chartered Certified Accountant with more than 15 years of accounting, financial and commercial experience, the firm supports clients across sectors including manufacturing, digital technology, construction, healthcare and energy. Jamie brings both technical expertise and first-hand experience of leading and growing businesses.
Unlike traditional practices with multiple layers of account management, we have deliberately built a more direct and personal model. Clients value our accessibility, responsiveness and ability to make complex matters simple, giving them clarity, confidence and the freedom to focus on running and growing their business.
As the practice moves into its next phase of growth, we are looking to strengthen our senior technical capability while retaining the personal, high-quality service on which the firm has been built. The person in this role will work closely with Jamie and will have the opportunity to become a trusted senior member of the practice, leading the technical side of the firm, and along with Jamie, growing and driving the firm forward to become one of the North East’s leading accounting firms.
About the Role
As Head of Technical Accounting, you will lead our internal technical accounting function, promoting high standards and a consistent approach to financial reporting across the practice. Working closely with our Founder and Head of Tax, you will support colleagues, strengthen the quality of statutory accounts and help develop and build our technical capability as the business grows.
This is an internal leadership role with no audit technical responsibilities or client business development targets.
- Working closely alongside our founder to shape and grow the firm through its next phase of growth, particularly in shaping the firm’s technical function, workflows and systems.
- Huge progression opportunities and earnings potential, given the current size of the business and our substantial ongoing growth.
- Exposure to complex statutory reporting across a diverse portfolio of owner-managed businesses, SMEs and groups, working with colleagues on related accounting and tax matters.
- Up to £65,000 base salary dependent on experience.
- Competitive bonus structure, with potential total annual earnings of £100,000+, subject to the terms and achievement criteria of the bonus scheme. Full details are available on request.
- Company pension scheme with employer contributions above statutory minimums.
- Fully remote role, with occasional in-office days to work alongside our Founder, Head of Tax and Head of Client Engagement.
- We’re happy to offer flexible working arrangements/working hours.
About the Person
- ACA/ACCA-qualified accountant with strong technical financial reporting knowledge and experience preparing and reviewing statutory accounts within UK professional practice.
- It is essential for this individual to have previous practice-based experience.
- Strong technical knowledge of statutory accounts preparation and financial reporting requirements as well as disclosure requirements within the accounts.
- A proven ability to research complex accounting matters, exercise judgement and translate technical requirements into clear, practical guidance.
- Experience reviewing statutory financial statements and resolving accounting issues relevant to owner-managed businesses, SMEs and groups.
- Ability to manage multiple assignments and deliver within deadlines.
- Strong communication skills with the confidence and personality to engage with both internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience implementing practice management software, improving workflows or leading technology-enabled change within an accountancy firm would be particularly valuable.
- Experience using Xero is desirable but not essential.
Your principal responsibilities will include:
- Acting as the firm’s lead internal adviser on FRS 102 and related statutory financial reporting requirements, providing timely, practical guidance to our clients.
- Leading the resolution of complex accounting queries, ensuring that significant judgements and conclusions are appropriately researched, documented and communicated.
- Developing and maintaining the firm’s accounting guidance, model accounts, disclosure checklists and technical resources, working with relevant colleagues and external providers where appropriate.
- Monitoring changes to financial reporting standards and related reporting requirements, assessing their impact on the firm’s client base and coordinating implementation
- Keeping the firm’s leadership informed of significant technical developments, emerging reporting risks and priorities for improving accounting quality.
Practice Management System Development
- Working alongside the founder, to lead the development and implementation of the firm’s own Practice Management System, bringing together client engagement, onboarding, document sharing and all client communication.
- Define requirements and priorities, work closely with developers, and coordinate testing, rollout and training.
- Ensure the platform supports efficient workflows, secure information handling and a positive user experience, using feedback from colleagues and clients to guide ongoing improvements.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
