Senior Accountant/Practice Manager in Clitheroe

RCM Associates Ltd is an established ICAEW-regulated accountancy practice, based in Settle, North Yorkshire. The firm is led by a sole director and advises a portfolio of owner-managed businesses, sole traders, partnerships, and limited companies. The practice has a strong recurring fee base and long-standing client relationships, with a focus on technical quality, continuity, and trusted adviser relationships rather than volume or sales-driven work.

Following the planned retirement of a long-standing senior team member, we are seeking an experienced accountant to join the practice in a key senior role, providing continuity across the client base.

This is a senior, hands-on role suited to an experienced accountant who is comfortable taking responsibility for client work from start to finish. The successful candidate will effectively step into a role similar to that currently undertaken by the retiring senior team member, supporting a varied client portfolio and working closely with the director.

The role may be structured flexibly as:

• Employee (full-time or part-time); or
• Contractor, for an appropriately qualified and experienced individual

Part-time arrangements of 2–3 days per week are considered, alongside full-time roles.

Core responsibilities include:

• Accounts preparation from prime records for limited companies, sole traders, and partnerships
• Corporation tax and personal tax compliance
• Preparation of monthly and quarterly management accounts for selected clients
• Use of IRIS Professional Accountancy Suite to produce accounts and tax returns
• Working with bookkeeping records maintained primarily on Xero (the majority of the client base)
• Direct client liaison and technical problem-solving
• Working with the director to ensure continuity and consistent service delivery

Future Opportunity (Optional)

While the primary focus of this role is to provide senior technical support and continuity, for the right candidate there is clear scope over time to take on greater involvement in the practice. This may include, if mutually desired, discussions around:

• Profit-sharing; and/or
• Longer-term succession or future ownership of the practice.

This is not an expectation or requirement of the role, but a genuine option for someone who may wish to progress in that direction.

About You

• ICAEW or ACCA qualified (preferred)
• Candidates who are qualified by experience and/or AAT qualified will also be considered where they can demonstrate substantial senior practice experience
• Extensive experience in UK accountancy practice
• Strong practical experience using IRIS Professional Accountancy Suite (essential)
• Strong experience working with Xero-based client records (essential)
• Confident preparing accounts from prime records
• Experience working with owner-managed businesses, sole traders, and partnerships
• Professional, reliable, and comfortable working with minimal supervision

Working Arrangements

• Hybrid working model
• Some office-based working required in Settle, North Yorkshire
• Applicants should be locally based or within reasonable commuting distance
• Flexible arrangements available for the right individual

Remuneration

£50,000 – £70,000 FTE (pro rata for part-time), depending on experience. Contractor rates negotiable. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.