At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead digital transformation and cloud accounting migrations for clients.
- Company: Join Westcotts, a top accountancy practice with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 25 days leave, health schemes, and career development.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for mentorship and growth.
- Why this job: Shape meaningful digital change and enhance client experiences.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in cloud accounting, Xero/QuickBooks experience, and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 € per year.
We’re Westcotts – a Top 50+50 Accountancy Practice and Real Living Wage Employer, with over 300 team members across offices in Devon and Somerset. We’re looking for a Digital Services Lead (Client‑Facing) to join our growing Digital Services team. This is a key role supporting our firm‑wide digital transformation agenda, helping clients move confidently to cloud accounting solutions while leading, mentoring, and developing our Digital Services team. The role will be based across the South West on a hybrid working basis, with flexibility to work across Westcotts offices and closely alongside our Tax, Accounts, Payroll and Bookkeeping teams.
Why Westcotts? At Westcotts, Our People Are At The Heart Of Everything We Do. When You Join Us, You’ll Be Part Of a Supportive, Forward‑thinking Firm Where Innovation Is Encouraged And Your Expertise Is Genuinely Valued. You’ll Benefit From:
- A collaborative and down‑to‑earth culture
- The opportunity to shape and lead meaningful digital change across the firm
- Hybrid and flexible working to support work/life balance
- A strong focus on wellbeing, development, and continuous improvement
- The chance to work closely with Partners and senior leaders on strategic initiatives
Main Duties: This role plays a central part in delivering client‑facing digital change across the firm. You’ll lead cloud accounting migrations, improve onboarding and automation, and help raise data quality and integration across our core systems — including Practice Engine, Filestore and Summa Tech. Your work will directly enhance client experience, efficiency, and compliance across the firm. The main duties (but not limited to) are the following:
- Leading and delivering cloud accounting migrations to Xero and QuickBooks, including full ledger transfers, opening balance reconciliations, bank feed setup, app integrations, and go‑live support
- Running discovery workshops to understand client needs, map current processes, and design future‑state workflows that reduce manual input and duplication
- Managing client onboarding journeys (including Summa Tech) to improve turnaround times and create a strong first impression
- Supporting junior members of the Digital Services team, allocating work and coaching best practice where applicable, and overseeing quality assurance
- Setting standards for documentation, workflows, checklists, and effective handovers to Accounts, Tax, Payroll and Bookkeeping teams
- Championing high standards of data hygiene across Practice Engine and Filestore, ensuring records are complete, consistent, and audit‑ready
- Embedding compliant onboarding processes, including CDD/AML through Summa Tech, and supporting annual review cycles
- Working closely with Partners and Managers to scope proposals, build business cases, and present solutions to clients and internal stakeholders
- Tracking outcomes, identifying risks, and driving continuous improvement across digital services
Attributes, Skills, Experience And Qualifications: Ideally the successful candidate will have the following attributes, skills, experience, and qualifications:
- At least 5 years’ experience delivering cloud accounting solutions using Xero and QuickBooks Online
- Proven experience leading client‑facing projects from discovery through to migration, cut‑over and post‑go‑live support
- Relevant practical experience is essential
- Xero and/or QuickBooks Online certifications (Advanced preferred)
- Strong practical knowledge of ledger migrations, bank feeds, chart of accounts design, VAT setup, and the wider app ecosystem (data capture, expenses, payments)
- Confidence working with systems such as Practice Engine, Filestore and project management tools (e.g. Trello or similar)
- Experience using onboarding and automation platforms such as Summa Tech
- Knowledge of KYC/AML workflows
- Experience working in a professional services environment
- Familiarity with Digita and/or Sage tax suites
- Advanced Excel skills, including Power Query, for data transformation and validation
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly to both clients and colleagues
Terms / Benefits: Up to 36.25 hours / 5 days per week (part time, flexible and hybrid working is available). 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays. Annual salary review. Death in service 3 x annual salary. Access to Westfield Rewards and Health scheme. 24‑hour external Employee Assistance Programme helpline. Flexible benefits including Buy and Sell holiday, Cycle to Work, Payroll Charity Giving and Private Medical Insurance. Introducing clients and team member commission schemes. Pension 3% rising to 4% (but matched up to 6% after 4 years’ service). Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay after one years’ service.
How To Apply: To apply for this position, please upload your CV along with a covering letter providing information on why you feel you would be suitable for the role in particular in regards to the desired attributes, skills, experience and qualifications. Please also state your current salary (if applicable), salary expectations and available start date.
Digital Services Lead – Southwest in Devon employer: Westcotts Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers
At Westcotts, we pride ourselves on being a supportive and innovative employer where our people are at the heart of everything we do. As a Digital Services Lead in the South West, you'll enjoy a collaborative work culture that values your expertise, offers hybrid working options for a healthy work/life balance, and provides ample opportunities for professional growth and development. Join us to lead meaningful digital transformation initiatives while working closely with senior leaders and contributing to a firm-wide commitment to client success and employee wellbeing.
Contact Detail:
Westcotts Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Digital Services Lead – Southwest in Devon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend local meetups, and engage with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their digital transformation goals and think about how your experience with cloud accounting solutions can help them achieve those. Tailor your responses to show you're the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online platforms to get comfortable with common questions. Focus on articulating your experience with Xero and QuickBooks, as well as your leadership skills in client-facing projects.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our supportive and innovative team at Westcotts.
We think you need these skills to ace Digital Services Lead – Southwest in Devon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Digital Services Lead role. Highlight your experience with cloud accounting solutions like Xero and QuickBooks, and showcase any relevant projects you've led. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to lead client-facing projects and improve digital services. Let us know why you’re excited about joining Westcotts!
Showcase Your Soft Skills:While technical skills are crucial, don’t forget to highlight your communication and mentoring abilities. We value a collaborative culture, so share examples of how you've supported team members or communicated complex ideas to clients in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. Make sure to include all requested information, like your current salary and availability, so we can get to know you better right from the start!
How to prepare for a job interview at Westcotts Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers
✨Know Your Cloud Accounting Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of cloud accounting solutions, especially Xero and QuickBooks. Be ready to discuss your experience with ledger migrations and bank feeds, as well as any relevant certifications you hold. This will show that you're not just familiar with the tools, but that you can lead projects effectively.
✨Showcase Your Client-Facing Skills
Since this role is client-facing, prepare examples of how you've successfully managed client relationships in the past. Think about specific projects where you led clients through digital transformations and how you ensured their needs were met. This will demonstrate your ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and build trust.
✨Prepare for Discovery Workshops
Be ready to talk about how you would run discovery workshops to understand client needs. Think about how you would map current processes and design future workflows. Having a clear strategy for these workshops will highlight your proactive approach and problem-solving skills.
✨Emphasise Team Leadership and Mentoring
This role involves supporting and mentoring junior team members, so be prepared to discuss your leadership style. Share examples of how you've allocated work, coached best practices, and ensured quality assurance in previous roles. This will show that you can not only lead projects but also develop others in the team.