Graduate Client Advisor in Glasgow

Wbg is where ambitious careers are built to last. We’re a growing firm where your name is known, your development is taken seriously, and the work you do from day one makes a real difference and is genuinely valued by clients and colleagues alike. Combining deep expertise with insight-led, technology- enabled solutions, we work together to help our clients achieve stronger outcomes.

Our culture is straightforward. We’re open in how we communicate, supportive in how we work together and ambitious in what we’re building. Grounded, consistent, and focused on doing things well. It’s a place where standards are high, but so is the level of support around you.

JOB SPECIFICATION

Department: Accounts & Business Advisory
Job Title: Graduate Client Advisor

We are looking for a Graduate to join our Accounts & Business Advisory team, based in our Glasgow office.

About our Business Advisory team

Our Accounts & Business Advisory team is at the heart of Wbg, providing first-class advice to clients through both compliance and advisory services. This includes statutory accounts for limited companies and unincorporated businesses, alongside outsourced financial services such as bookkeeping, VAT, management accounts, budgeting, cashflow forecasting and virtual finance function support. The team works with clients of different sizes, sectors and locations, with specialisms including Healthcare, Food and Drink, Construction, Agriculture and Not for profit.

About our client pod structure

The operating model within our Business Advisory Services team is centred on a structure of dedicated client pods. Each pod has primary responsibility for a dedicated portfolio of clients, giving clients clear and consistent points of contact who understand their business, priorities, and ambitions. This structure enables the team to build deeper knowledge of each client over time, provide more proactive and commercially focused support, and work alongside clients as their businesses grow and evolve.

JOB DESCRIPTION – Graduate Client Advisor

Role Purpose

The Graduate Client Advisor supports the Accounts & Business Advisory team in delivering compliance and advisory services to a varied client base. With direction and support from senior colleagues, the role provides practical experience in accounts preparation, bookkeeping and client service, while building the skills and confidence needed to develop a career in accountancy.

The role offers the opportunity to work with clients across a range of sectors, develop strong working relationships with clients and colleagues, and balance client work with professional study towards the ACCA qualification.

Key Responsibilities

Client Work Preparation and Service Delivery

• Prepare accounts for a range of clients, working with information provided by clients, outsource bookkeeping teams and colleagues.
• Undertake bookkeeping processing for clients, including month-end, quarter-end and year-end entries as required.
• Prepare VAT returns and support the production of management accounts for a varied client base.
• Reconcile client data and ensure financial information is processed accurately and consistently.
• Develop an understanding of the financial information being prepared and the story it tells about the client’s business, rather than focusing solely on completing the processing.
• Review financial information with an increasingly commercial mindset, identifying trends, anomalies, inconsistencies or matters requiring further investigation.
• Work to agreed deadlines and budgets, managing priorities and keeping colleagues informed of progress, queries, risks and potential delays.
• Liaise with clients as necessary, responding to queries and gathering information in a professional and timely way.
• Build confidence in client interactions and develop an understanding of the client’s business, sector, priorities and wider needs.

Quality, Workflow and Operational Discipline

• Prepare work accurately and with attention to detail, applying agreed team processes and quality standards.
• Identify questions, missing information or issues arising during assignments and escalate these appropriately.
• Support effective workflow management by keeping assignments up to date and communicating clearly with Senior Client Advisors and the Pod Lead.
• Help ensure work is completed first time, on time and in line with agreed standards.
• Maintain organised records and support accurate administration of client work, deadlines and follow-up actions.
• Undertake additional appropriate tasks as directed by Senior Client Advisors, the Pod Lead or wider BAS leadership team.

Client Insight and Advisory Development

• Develop a broader understanding of each client, including their business model, objectives, challenges, financial position and priorities.
• Use financial information to identify trends, anomalies and issues that may be relevant to the client.
• Look beyond the production of accurate outputs and consider what the numbers may be telling us about the client’s business.
• Raise observations and questions proactively rather than waiting for issues to be identified by more senior colleagues.
• Work with Senior Client Advisors and the Pod Led to understand the implications of identified issues and how they should be addressed with the client.
• Develop the ability to explain financial information clearly and in a way that is relevant to the client.
• Build confidence in client conversations and take increasing responsibility for routine client interaction as experience develops.
• Develop commercial awareness by understanding the client’s objectives and considering how Wbg can provide value beyond the immediate accounting or compliance requirement.
• Identify potential opportunities where a client may benefit from additional advice or specialist support and communicate these appropriately within the pod.
• Progressively contribute to wider advisory conversations as technical knowledge, client understanding and confidence develop.

Team Support and Development

• Work collaboratively with Senior Client Advisors, the Pod Lead and wider BAS colleagues to deliver client work effectively.
• Take ownership of allocated tasks, seeking support and guidance where needed.
• Contribute to a positive, supportive and accountable working environment within the pod.
• Share knowledge and good practice with colleagues, including effective use of accounting software, cloud systems and digital tools.
• Support wider team activities where required, helping the team deliver a consistent and responsive service to clients.

Client Insight, Systems and Continuous Improvement

• Develop an understanding of the client beyond the immediate task or assignment, including their business model, objectives, challenges and financial position.
• Use financial information to identify trends, anomalies and issues that may be relevant to the client.
• Raise observations and questions proactively rather than simply producing accurate financial outputs.
• Develop the ability to explain financial information clearly and identify matters that may require further discussion with the client.
• Work with Senior Client Advisors and the Pod Lead to develop appropriate client responses and recommendations.
• Build confidence in discussing financial information and business matters with clients.
• Increase client interaction and commercial understanding as experience and capability develop.
• Contribute to the wider advisory relationship by identifying opportunities where the client may benefit from additional support or specialist input.
• Develop the skills required to progress from primarily delivering core compliance and accounting services towards contributing more broadly to client advisory conversations.

Digital Mindset, Systems and Continuous Improvement

• Use accounting software, cloud platforms, automation and digital tools effectively to deliver client work efficiently.
• Support clients with cloud bookkeeping systems, including Xero, Sage Business Cloud, QuickBooks Online and related applications.
• Provide cloud accounting software training and support where appropriate, with guidance from senior colleagues.
• Develop confidence in using new technologies and systems, with a focus on capability and outcomes rather than reliance on experience with a particular software package.
• Embrace automation and AI-enabled tools where appropriate to improve efficiency, quality and client service.
• Look for opportunities to reduce manual processing, duplication and avoidable rework.
• Challenge inefficient processes and contribute ideas for improving how work is delivered.
• Share knowledge and good practice with colleagues in relation to accounting software, cloud systems, automation and digital tools.
• Stay curious about emerging technology and consider how it can improve both the client experience and the way the team works.

Professional Development

• Work towards the ACCA qualification with full support from Wbg.
• Balance professional study with practical client experience
• Attend relevant training and development sessions.
• Receive regular coaching, mentoring and feedback from experienced colleagues.
• Develop technical knowledge, professional judgement and client-facing skills.
• Work towards achieving professional exam success alongside delivering a high-quality service to clients.
• Take increasing responsibility for client work as knowledge, skills and confidence develop.

Personal Qualities

• Working towards, or holding, a relevant honours degree, with a minimum 2:1 preferred. A degree in Finance, Accountancy, or a related discipline would be advantageous
• Strong academic background with excellent communication and analytical skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with clients and colleagues.
• Organised and able to manage time effectively across client work, professional development and other responsibilities.
• Comfortable working independently while also contributing effectively as part of a team.
• Able to demonstrate attention to detail and a commitment to producing high-quality work.
• A genuine interest in developing a career within Accounts & Business Advisory
• Previous experience within a professional office environment is beneficial but not essential.