Senior Accountant - #2129958

I’m working with a highly regarded independent firm of Chartered Accountants in Leeds that is looking to recruit a Senior Accountant into its Business Services team.

Based in Leeds, the firm has an excellent reputation across Yorkshire and works with an impressive portfolio predominantly made up of owner-managed and family-owned businesses.

This is a broad, client-facing role where you will take responsibility for accounts preparation, management accounts and tax-related work, while also developing strong relationships with your clients and supporting more junior members of the team.

The firm offers the technical exposure and variety you would expect from a much larger accountancy practice, while retaining the autonomy, flexibility and personal culture of an independent business.

The role will involve working with a varied portfolio of clients and taking responsibility for assignments from start to finish.

Typical responsibilities will include:

• Preparing statutory accounts for limited companies, partnerships and sole traders
• Preparing management accounts and other periodic financial information
• Preparing and reviewing VAT returns
• Managing your own workload and ensuring client deadlines are met
• Acting as a key point of contact for clients
• Building strong, long-term relationships with business owners and management teams
• Visiting client premises where required to provide accounting and business support
• Assisting with corporation tax compliance
• Reviewing corporation tax returns where appropriate
• Getting involved with tax planning and advisory work, including areas such as capital allowances
• Identifying opportunities where clients may benefit from additional support or services
• Working closely with Managers and Partners on more complex assignments
• Supporting and mentoring junior members of the team
• Reviewing work and helping less experienced colleagues develop their technical knowledge
• Making effective use of accounting technology and cloud-based software
• The firm uses a variety of systems including Xero, Sage, IRIS and ProAudit, alongside Excel and other accounting technology.

The successful candidate will ideally be:

• ACA or ACCA qualified, although strong exam finalists will also be considered
• Experienced within an accountancy practice environment
• Ideally bringing around five years or more of accounting experience
• Experienced preparing statutory accounts from start to finish
• Experienced working with UK owner-managed and family businesses
• Confident communicating directly with clients
• Technically strong with a good understanding of UK accounting requirements
• Comfortable working independently and taking ownership of assignments
• Able to manage multiple clients and competing deadlines
• Interested in supporting and developing junior members of staff
• Confident using Excel and modern accounting software

Experience with Xero, Sage, IRIS or similar systems would be beneficial, although specific software experience is not essential.

More importantly, the firm is looking for someone who enjoys dealing with clients, takes ownership of their work and wants to develop into a broader advisory and client management role over time.

The firm offers a competitive salary and benefits package alongside a genuinely flexible and supportive working environment.

Benefits include:

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Discretionary bonus
• Flexible working patterns
• Competitive annual leave allowance
• Holiday entitlement increasing with length of service
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Private medical insurance at Management level
• Strong opportunities for career progression
• Exposure to a high-quality portfolio of owner-managed and family businesses
• Broad experience across statutory accounts, management accounts, VAT and tax
• Regular interaction with Managers and Partners
• Opportunity to build your own client relationships
• Supportive environment with a strong emphasis on professional development

This is an independent accountancy practice operating from a single Leeds office and offering a full range of accounts, audit, tax and business advisory services.

One of the firm's biggest attractions is its one-team approach. There is considerably less hierarchy than you might find within a large national or international firm, and employees have direct access to Managers and Partners without multiple layers of management.

The business has the scale and expertise to provide genuinely varied and technically interesting work, but remains small enough for individuals to be recognised and given responsibility.

There is also a strong emphasis on staff development. Employees are encouraged to build client relationships, broaden their technical knowledge and progress their careers rather than remaining restricted to one narrow area of work.

It should particularly appeal to someone who enjoys working with owner-managed businesses, wants greater autonomy and client exposure, and likes the idea of progressing within a respected independent firm rather than a heavily structured corporate environment.

Please contact Ben Copsey at BC Financial Search or apply for more details.