Assistant Manager, Finance & Client Services in Inverness

Our client is seeking an experienced Assistant Manager to join their Inverness office. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing a diverse client portfolio, preparing year-end accounts and financial statements, reviewing management accounts, and ensuring compliance with HMRC and Companies House regulations. The role requires strong technical accounting knowledge across UK GAAP frameworks, corporation tax, VAT, and balance sheet reconciliations, alongside proficiency in software including Xero, QuickBooks, Sage, IRIS, and Excel. The candidate will also supervise and mentor junior staff, oversee workflow planning, support process improvements, and maintain strong client relationships while delivering a high standard of service and accuracy.

Technical Skills:

• Extensive experience preparing year-end accounts for sole traders, partnerships, and limited companies.
• Preparation of financial statements and working papers.
• Knowledge of FRS 105, FRS 102 (1A), and other UK GAAP frameworks.
• Adjusting journal entries, accruals, and prepayments.
• Reconciling balance sheet accounts including bank, control, and suspense accounts.
• Good working knowledge of directors' loans, dividends, and S455 tax.
• Familiarity with trial balance reviews and correcting entries.
• Preparing corporation tax computations and basic personal tax returns.
• Sound understanding of VAT and VAT return preparation.
• Review and preparation of management accounts and relevant reports for clients.
• Ensuring all financial records are compliant with HMRC and Companies House regulations.
• Reviewing work prepared by junior team members for quality and accuracy.

Software Skills:

• Proficient in accounting software, including Xero, QuickBooks Online, Freeagent, and Sage 50 / Sage Business Cloud.
• Experience using tax and accounts production software IRIS.
• Skilled in Microsoft Excel.
• Comfortable working with digital document and workflow systems (e.g., Dext, Hubdoc).
• Familiar with practice management systems - Iris and SPS.

Interpersonal & Communication Skills:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to present financial information clearly to non-finance individuals.
• Skilled at handling client queries, meetings, and correspondence.
• Builds strong, long-term relationships with clients and internal teams.
• Diplomatic and professional when managing sensitive client or staff issues.

Organisational & Analytical Skills:

• Strong attention to detail and high accuracy standards.
• Capable of analysing financial data to identify trends or discrepancies.
• Well-organised and efficient under pressure.
• Effective multitasking and time management skills.
• Proactive and solution-oriented with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Able to manage competing demands and tight deadlines across clients.

Supervisory & Leadership Skills:

• Supervising and mentoring junior team members and trainees.
• Reviewing and providing feedback on work prepared by junior staff.
• Leading by example in quality of work and client service.
• Supporting professional development and training plans.
• Conducting or contributing to performance reviews.
• Encouraging adherence to internal processes and best practices.

Management Skills:

• Managing a portfolio of clients across different sectors.
• Planning and monitoring workflow to ensure deadlines are met.
• Overseeing job allocation and team capacity planning.
• Reviewing client profitability and identifying efficiency improvements.
• Developing and maintaining strong client relationships.
• Liaising with partners to provide updates on client work and issues.
• Assisting with practice development initiatives and internal improvements.
• Supporting the implementation of new systems and processes.
• Ensuring compliance with internal controls and quality assurance standards (e.g. ISQM 1).