Accounts Director

Location: Hybrid / Orpington, UK
job type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector: Accounting & Finance | Qualified
Salary: Negotiable salary

Affinia is the UK’s largest purpose‑led, purpose‑built Accountancy firm, focused on building stronger, more valuable relationships. With over 1,000 colleagues across the East, South East, London and the Midlands, we are dedicated to supporting our clients, colleagues and communities.

We advise businesses, public sector organisations, charities and individuals throughout the UK and internationally across six Service Lines - Accountancy & Advisory, Tax and Planning, Audit & Assurance, Corporate Finance, Payroll and Corporate Recovery. Our team also offer in-depth sector expertise across a number of sectors, ensuring our clients receive the best short to medium and long‑term advice, tailored to them. We are committed to delivering excellence in every aspect of our work, adapting to the evolving technology and regulatory landscape while consistently exceeding client expectations.

Our people are our most valuable asset. We are therefore committed to supporting our colleagues throughout their professional development, providing guidance and training at whatever stage of their career they join us.

As a Director within the Accounts team, you will lead a high‑performing client portfolio, acting as a strategic advisor and ensuring the delivery of accurate, timely, and commercially effective services. Supporting teams to create capacity and support growth in our Sidcup, Orpington and Crawley offices. You will oversee multiple teams across complex engagements, maintaining quality control, managing risk, and driving efficiency.

A key part of the role is to develop and retain strong client relationships, proactively identifying opportunities for additional support and working closely with Partners on business development initiatives. Internally, you will play a pivotal role in mentoring and developing Managers, contributing to succession planning, and leading service line or firm‑wide projects that enhance operational excellence.

This role balances strong technical leadership with people management, commercial awareness, and strategic contribution, forming a critical step towards future progression to Director or Partner level.

• Lead the delivery of services across a portfolio of complex or high‑value clients, ensuring deadlines, budgets, and quality standards are consistently met.
• Act as a strategic advisor to clients, offering proactive guidance on financial, regulatory, and operational matters.
• Identify client risks and emerging needs, proposing appropriate additional services in collaboration with Partners.
• Manage and develop Managers, Assistant Managers, and Senior Accountants, ensuring strong team engagement, performance, and succession planning.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and development conversations, setting clear expectations and providing targeted feedback.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and training initiatives to strengthen the capability and culture of the Accounts service line.
• Review and sign off on complex accounting work, ensuring compliance with UK GAAP (FRS 102), tax legislation, and internal quality standards.
• Serve as a technical escalation point for Managers and Partners, offering expert guidance on complex or judgemental issues.
• Monitor WIP, recovery rates, and fee arrangements across your portfolio, working with the Partner to maximise commercial performance.
• Oversee billing processes and ensure timely invoicing and resolution of fee queries or scope changes.]Participate in pricing discussions and proposal preparation for new or existing clients.
• Support the development of service line strategy by contributing sector knowledge, client insights, and operational improvements.
• Participate in client pitches, tenders, and networking events, collaborating with Partners on growth opportunities.
• Drive internal projects to improve processes, technology use, and client experience.
• Ensure adherence to internal compliance standards, ethical guidelines, and external…