Audit & Accounts Manager

Location: Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire

Salary: £55,000–£65,000 per annum, depending on experience

Working pattern: Full-time | Hybrid working available up to two days per week

Contract: Permanent

Knightwell Recruitment is working with an established independent firm of Chartered Accountants in Newcastle-under-Lyme to recruit an experienced Audit & Accounts Manager. This is a senior, client-facing position with a strong emphasis on leading audit assignments. You will take responsibility for audits from planning through to completion, manage a varied portfolio of owner-managed businesses and SMEs, and oversee the work and development of junior team members.

The successful candidate must be an FCA or FCCA Fellow member with substantial UK accountancy practice experience and the technical knowledge required to lead complex audit assignments confidently.

Key responsibilities

• Leading statutory audits from initial planning and risk assessment through to completion
• Managing audit fieldwork and ensuring assignments are delivered accurately and within agreed timescales
• Reviewing audit files, statutory accounts and supporting working papers
• Preparing and reviewing statutory accounts under UK GAAP, including FRS 102
• Managing a varied portfolio of audit and accounts clients
• Acting as a senior point of contact for clients and providing clear, commercially focused advice
• Identifying technical, accounting and audit issues and communicating these effectively
• Reviewing Corporation Tax computations and associated compliance work
• Supervising, supporting and developing audit seniors and junior team members
• Managing workloads, budgets, deadlines and overall assignment profitability
• Supporting the Directors with the continued development of the audit function and wider practice

About you

To be considered, you must:

• Hold FCA or FCCA Fellow status
• Have substantial recent experience within a UK accountancy practice
• Have a strong track record of leading audits from planning through to completion
• Possess strong technical knowledge of UK auditing standards, UK GAAP and FRS 102
• Be confident reviewing statutory accounts and Corporation Tax work
• Have experience managing client relationships and a portfolio of assignments
• Be comfortable supervising, reviewing and developing junior colleagues
• Communicate confidently with business owners, finance teams and senior stakeholders
• Be organised, commercially aware and capable of managing competing deadlines

What is offered

• Competitive salary of £55,000–£65,000, depending on experience
• Up to two days of hybrid working per week
• A senior position within a respected independent accountancy practice
• Responsibility for leading audits and managing established client relationships
• Genuine scope to influence the continued development of the audit department
• A stable, long-term opportunity with direct exposure to the firm’s leadership team

The selection process consists of two face-to-face interviews. Candidates should expect detailed technical questioning covering audit planning, risk assessment, audit completion, UK GAAP, FRS 102 and practical client scenarios.