Assistant Accountant / Client Manager

FinPath Recruitment is pleased to be supporting a growing North East accountancy practice with the appointment of an experienced Assistant Accountant / Client Manager.

This is a newly created opportunity for someone with strong accounts experience who is looking for a genuinely flexible, fully remote part-time role within a small, friendly team.

The Opportunity

• ~ 3 days per week spread over 4/5 days p.w (negotiable)
• Fully remote with equipment provided
• £30,000–£40,000 FTE (£18,000-£24,000 pro rata) depending on experience
• Flexible working hours, with arrangements to be discussed at interview
• Core communication hours of 9am–5pm
• Applicants must be based in Gateshead or the surrounding areas — this is required for logistical reasons, including equipment provision, IT support and occasional in-person meetings if required
• Permanent position
• ASAP start
• 20 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
• Office closed for 2 weeks over Christmas
• Pension
• Potential for study support, if required

The business understands that life and personal commitments need to be balanced with work, and is happy to accommodate responsibilities such as family and childcare wherever possible. In return, the successful candidate will need to complete their agreed working hours and be willing to show some flexibility when deadlines or business needs require it.

The Role

You’ll sit between the bookkeeping function and the director, initially working across a portfolio of approximately 20 clients, including sole traders, limited companies and individuals, while also supporting a couple of larger clients.

This is a broad role with plenty of scope to develop and progress. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to build their responsibilities over time, take on more ownership across the client portfolio and develop alongside the business.

The role will include:

• Preparing statutory year-end accounts under FRS 102 Section 1A
• Preparing VAT returns
• Supporting tax work and returns
• Bank reconciliations
• Bookkeeping oversight along with the bookkeeper
• Overseeing payroll
• Managing a portfolio of approximately 20 clients
• Working closely with the director on two larger clients
• Communicating with clients by phone and email
• Providing regular and rapid updates where required
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships

What We’re Looking For

The key requirement is practical experience preparing year-end/statutory accounts, including FRS 102 Section 1A. You’ll ideally have experience using both Xero and QuickBooks, with experience in at least one being essential.

Ideally, you’ll have:

• Experience preparing a full set of accounts
• Xero experience
• QuickBooks experience
• Previous accountancy practice or client-facing experience
• Good understanding of VAT and tax
• Good understanding of payroll processes
• Strong IT literacy
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Experience using bookkeeping/accounting packages
• TaxCalc experience would be advantageous
• Experience working on Windows-based systems

You don’t need to be a payroll specialist. The role involves overseeing payroll rather than processing it, so a good understanding of payroll is important, but you’ll be able to ask for support where required.

Most importantly, we’re looking for someone who is trustworthy, reliable, detailed orientated and takes pride in their work.

The Team and Culture

You’ll be joining a small team of four, so personality and team fit are important.

The business is looking for someone who is enthusiastic, approachable and enjoyable to work with. Someone who communicates well, enjoys building relationships and wants to become a valued part of the team.

They’re also keen to find someone who wants to progress within the role, continue learning and develop their responsibilities over time.

Development and Progression

This is a role with genuine scope to develop.

Initially, the successful candidate will take on statutory accounts work and responsibility across the client portfolio. Over the first three months, they’ll gradually be handed more responsibility, with the quality and turnaround time of their accounts work helping to establish the appropriate workload and expectations.

As the successful candidate develops, there will be opportunities to take on more responsibility within the business.

Interested?

If you’re an experienced finance/accounting professional looking for a part-time ro…