Accounts & Business Services - Associate Director

Accounts & Business Services - Associate Director

Job Title: Associate Director Location: Hybrid Working – London N3 / Remote

Salary Range: £85,000 - £100,000

BKL is a Top 40 accountancy and advisory business supporting a diverse client base, from entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals to ambitious owner-managed businesses and multinational groups. With a legacy spanning over 130 years, we’ve evolved into a modern, purpose-driven business that balances profit with impact.

We are proud to be a certified B Corp, reflecting our commitment to sustainability, transparency, and responsible governance. As a member of DFK International, we support clients locally and internationally with cutting-edge expertise and a personal touch.

We believe all clients deserve the same level of care, innovation, and excellence.

You’ll be joining our Accounts & Business Services (ABS) team, the largest department in our growing business, made up of 139 talented and passionate people.

In this role, you’ll work closely with our Partners and teams (pods), who focus on the Property, SME, and Entertainment markets. Together, you’ll provide compliance and advisory support, helping clients navigate challenges and make confident decisions.

We’re proud to be the trusted advisor for our owner-managed business (OMB) clients. They rely on us to solve complex problems and see us as their first point of contact for anything related to their business.

This is an exciting opportunity to step into an Early Director role and grow with us. You’ll have a clear progression path, with the potential to advance all the way to Partner.

Hi, I’m Jake, and in this role, you’ll manage client relationships across the Real Estate and OMB sectors, supporting them with compliance, advisory, and tax services. You’ll get exposure to a wide range of clients and have the chance to add real value to their businesses. We take a hands‑on approach, so you’ll be closely involved in shaping solutions and building trust.

If you’re curious, proactive, and ready to grow, we’d love to hear from you.

When I’m not working hard, you’ll probably find me on the padel court or out on the golf course. So if you ever fancy a more active 1:1, we can catch up over a game, on the court or on the course!

As an Associate Director within the ABS team, you lead on the strategic and operational aspects, aligning with the broader business objectives. You oversee your pods’ financial performance, managing client portfolios to expand and optimise service delivery. A key responsibility is people management, fostering development, growth, and high performance. You implement and adapt business strategies to meet market demands, driving the firm's long‑term success.

Transitioning from a manager to a portfolio owner, you ensure strategic alignment, promoting innovation and excellence within the organisation.

• Make sure the work we deliver meets the highest technical standards and stays in line with changing regulations.
• Be the go‑to person for complex technical questions, offering clear, practical advice to colleagues and clients.
• Use data to make smart decisions about resources, pricing, and how we deliver our services.
• Work closely with finance and leadership to keep budgets and forecasts on track.
• Drive improvements in how we work, simplifying processes, fixing recurring issues, and making things more efficient.
• Delegate effectively, giving managers ownership while staying accountable for overall results.
• Communicate big‑picture goals and changes in a way that people understand and buy into.
• Build strong relationships across teams and with clients, representing the firm confidently at events and meetings.
• Take the lead on key client relationships, including high‑level discussions and negotiations.
• Spot opportunities for new business and help turn them into real wins.
• Keep the client experience consistent and aligned with what we stand for as a firm.
• Keep learning and developing yourself, while helping others grow and preparing future leaders.
• Play an active role in hiring and shaping the team for the…