Assistant Manager Accounts
2 days ago
Harlow
Job title: Accounts: Assistant Manager Reporting to: Accounts Director Hours: Full time Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm (37.5 hours per week) Location: Harlow Affinia is a UK Top 50 Accountancy firm and growing. Through successful acquisitions and organic growth, we have seen significant development within the last 18 months. We focus on building authentic connections, collaboration and growth both with our clients and colleagues. Affinia is a challenger accounting, tax and business advisory firm with over 300 years’ experience, bringing together financial experts from across London, East Anglia & Southeast England. We have more than 500 accountancy professionals across all our offices and advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across seven principal practice groups: Accountancy & Advisory, Tax and Planning, Audit Services, Corporate Finance, Digital Solutions, Payroll and Financial Planning We have invested continuously in technology and gained in-depth knowledge across a broad range of markets, growing through acquisitions and private investment. We offer an exceptional service to our clients, with access to our sector experts to develop the strategy that will help them reach their goals. We keep a finger on the industry pulse, so our clients receive the best short to medium and long-term advice. We offer flexible and hybrid working – your line manager will work with you to agree the pattern that works best for you and Affinia. We provide access to training providers such as Croner-i, Tolley’s, Mercia, and LinkedIn Learning to meet the needs of our people from both a hard and soft skills perspective. We also work with an Apprenticeship provider to offer the combination of paid work and access to professional qualifications. Purpose of the role: As an Assistant Manager within Accounts, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality accounting services to a varied portfolio of clients as part of a collaborative and high performing team. Positioned between Accounts Senior and Manager level, you will use your technical expertise and hands-on experience to date to deliver a high level of client service and a smooth workflow. You’ll be able to manage non-routine issues independently. You’ll be able to delegate effectively and mentor junior team members in the team – consistently role-modelling best practice. At this level you’ll be able to identify opportunities to add value, with senior support and guidance. We provide all our staff with access to formal training, such as Tolley’s, Mercia, Croner-i, and LinkedIn Learning. Together with your line manager you will create a career development plan to help you succeed in your role and look ahead to the next step should you wish to. Accountabilities: • Manage a small non-complex portfolio of clients, ensuring timely delivery of statutory accounts, management accounts, VAT returns, and other deliverables in line with agreed deadlines and budgets., • Review work prepared by Seniors, Semi-Seniors, and Trainees, providing structured feedback and coaching to support development and ensure quality control., • Act as the main point of contact for day-to-day client queries, building trusted relationships and resolving issues independently where possible., • Assist the Manager with WIP (work in progress) management, billing, and recovery analysis, identifying opportunities for additional billing where work exceeds scope., • Ensure the team adheres to internal processes, including workflow management, file completion standards, and up-to-date time recording., • Contribute to internal team development by delivering training sessions, supporting onboarding of new team members, and acting as a Mentor., • Keep up to date with changes in UK GAAP, tax legislation, and regulatory frameworks, applying this knowledge to client work and team guidance., • Support the Manager and Directors with the planning and resourcing of jobs, ensuring effective delegation and utilisation across the team., • Participate in business development activities, including supporting proposal preparation and attending networking or marketing events as required. Promote Affinia’s values and contribute to a positive, collaborative team culture. Skills/Qualifications: • ACA, ACCA, or equivalent qualification (fully qualified)., • Ideally 3+ years' experience in a UK accountancy practice., • Strong technical knowledge of UK GAAP (FRS 105 and FRS 102 specifically. Where relevant IFRS) and relevant tax principles., • Demonstrable experience of reviewing and supervising work within a practice environment., • Proficiency in accounting software such as CCH, Xero, Sage, or QuickBooks., • High level of attention to detail, accuracy, and the ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines., • Strong interpersonal skills, with the confidence to communicate directly with clients and lead internal discussions., • Ability to mentor and support junior team members and contribute to team performance., • Commercial awareness and understanding of how accountancy services add value to clients., • Organised, self-motivated, and proactive in managing workload and priorities. Core Benefits: At Affinia, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth. Alongside a flexible and inclusive work environment, we offer the following core benefits: • 23 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays (Sept-Aug), rising with service., • Opportunity to purchase 3 extra days holiday per year., • Auto enrolment Pension Scheme with True Potential., • Death in Service., • Professional membership support., • Paycare – claim money back for Dental / Optical / Professional Therapies, • Dress for your Diary Policy. Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested. Affinia is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion, or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy, or maternity, or sexual orientation. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.
