At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead cloud accounting migrations and mentor a dynamic Digital Services team.
- Company: Join Westcotts, a top accountancy practice that values innovation and its people.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 25 days leave, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Hybrid working with excellent career growth opportunities and a vibrant team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in digital transformation while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in cloud accounting with Xero/QuickBooks experience required.
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 firmwide 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.
Responsibilities
- 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
- 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 Exeter 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 Top 50+50 Accountancy Practice, we offer a flexible hybrid working environment across the beautiful South West, along with generous benefits such as 25 days annual leave, enhanced parental pay, and a commitment to employee growth through mentoring and professional development. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team that values your expertise and encourages you to lead in the digital transformation of our clients' accounting solutions.
Contact Details:
Westcotts Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Digital Services Lead – Southwest in Exeter
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend local meetups, and engage with professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. We recommend practising common interview questions and tailoring your answers to highlight how your skills align with their needs. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but the perfect fit for their team!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role. We love a proactive approach!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance at landing the job! We make it easy for you to showcase your skills and experience directly to us. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at Westcotts!
We think you need these skills to ace Digital Services Lead – Southwest in Exeter
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 don’t forget to mention any relevant certifications. We want to see how your skills match 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 our team. Talk about your experience leading client-facing projects and how you can contribute to our digital transformation agenda. Let your personality come through!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves explaining technical concepts to clients and colleagues, make sure to demonstrate your communication skills in your application. Use clear and concise language, and avoid jargon unless necessary. We appreciate clarity and straightforwardness!
Be Honest About Your Expectations:When stating your salary expectations, be honest and realistic. We value transparency and want to ensure that both parties are on the same page. Also, let us know your available start date so we can plan accordingly. Apply through our website to get started!
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 Xero and QuickBooks Online, as well as the specifics of cloud accounting migrations. Be ready to discuss your past experiences with these platforms and how you've successfully led client-facing projects.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves mentoring and supporting junior team members, prepare examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past. Highlight your coaching style and how you ensure quality assurance in your work.
✨Understand Client Needs
Be prepared to talk about how you run discovery workshops and gather client requirements. Think of specific instances where you mapped processes and designed workflows that improved efficiency for clients.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Excellent communication is key in this role. Practice explaining technical concepts in simple terms, as you'll need to convey complex information to both clients and colleagues. Consider doing mock interviews to refine your delivery.
