Audit & Accounts Manager

An established independent accountancy practice is looking to recruit an experienced Accounts & Audit Senior or Manager to join its team in Alton. This is a key hire for the business, offering the opportunity to take on client responsibility, supervise and support junior staff, and work across a varied portfolio of accounts and audit assignments. With a diverse client base including owner-managed businesses, charities and agricultural clients, the role offers broad technical exposure and the opportunity to play an important role within the wider team.

Day-to-day of the role:
Manage a portfolio of clients, acting as the principal point of contact and developing strong, long-term client relationships. Oversee the delivery of accounts, tax, and business advisory services, ensuring work prepared by team members is reviewed and completed to the required technical and quality standards. Manage audit assignments from planning through to completion, ensuring compliance with auditing standards, firm procedures, and regulatory requirements.

Review audit files prepared by team members, identifying key audit and accounting issues and ensuring audit documentation is completed to the required standard. Supervise audit fieldwork, provide guidance to audit team members, and monitor progress against budgets and deadlines. Ensure that clients are kept informed about their obligations, deadlines, and relevant legislative changes. Lead the planning and monitoring of workflow and the effective financial management of all accounts work within the office.

Set time and fee budgets for work within the portfolio and monitor recoverability and profitability. Review accounts, tax computations, and other assignments prepared by team members, identifying technical issues and providing constructive feedback. Build rapport and maintain regular contact with clients by telephone, email, letter, and in person. Lead, manage, and develop reporting staff, overseeing workflow, reviewing performance, providing coaching and technical support, and ensuring work is completed to the required standard and within budget.

Required Skills &

Qualifications:

ACA or ACCA qualification is highly desirable, although candidates who are qualified by experience will also be considered. Strong general practice background covering accounts, tax, and client portfolio management. Experience managing client relationships, reviewing the work of others, supervising staff, and delivering assignments from planning through to completion. Good working knowledge of limited companies, sole traders, partnerships, and charities. Experience in accounts preparation, corporation tax compliance, client relationship management, and ideally, audit assignments.

Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to plan effectively, anticipate workflow bottlenecks, and manage competing priorities. Strong communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills, with a genuine interest in developing and motivating junior members of staff. We are keen to speak with candidates who are experienced and capable accountants with a strong general practice background covering accounts, tax and client portfolio management looking to utilise their technical expertise while taking on additional responsibility within a varied and client-focused environment.