Accounts Senior

Saffery Champness; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading accounting firm in Bristol is seeking an ACA/ACCA/AAT qualified Accounts Senior to manage a broad range of clients. This permanent position offers opportunities to prepare financial statements, oversee advisory projects, and enhance client relationships. Ideal candidates will possess strong analytical skills and experience with accounting systems. The role includes a hybrid working policy and a range of excellent benefits.

Benefits

Contributory pension scheme

25 days annual leave

Life Assurance cover

Flexible benefits

Family-friendly policies

Qualifications

• Preferably ACA/ACCA or AAT qualified with some prior experience of working in practice.
• Strong numeracy and analytical skills, along with the ability to learn quickly.
• A good knowledge of Excel and Word is essential.
• Understanding of accounting systems including Xero, Quickbooks, Sage, Key Prime, Farmplan, and CCH AP would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Preparation of year‑end financial statements.
• Taking ownership of ad‑hoc advisory projects.
• Review of work prepared by other members of the team.
• Assisting managers with looking after a large portfolio of accounts and bookkeeping clients.
• Building and maintaining client relationships.

Job description

Accounts Senior – Bristol

We are seeking an ACA/ACCA/AAT qualified (or qualified by experience) Accounts Senior who will be responsible for a broad range of clients, including partnerships, trusts, sole traders and companies covering various activities, such as Landed Estates, agriculture, manufacturing, property development and rental and consultancy services, to name but a few.

The role

The work is varied and ranges from typical year‑end compliance through to ad‑hoc advisory and project work. The client base is a mix of sole traders, partnerships, limited companies, limited liability partnerships, trusts and smaller private charities.

The role is permanent and would suit an AAT, ACCA/ACA accountant who is seeking to consolidate their knowledge of accounts, compliance and trusts, and take it to the next level by building on their advisory, client management and supervisory skills.

Responsibilities

• Preparation of year‑end financial statements
• Taking ownership of ad‑hoc advisory projects
• Review of work prepared by other members of the team
• Assisting managers with looking after a large portfolio of accounts and bookkeeping clients
• Assisting clients with VAT and bookkeeping queries, including set up and support on accounting systems
• Training and supporting others in the office
• Work planning and annual timetabling
• Billing and financial management
• Cross‑departmental communication
• Building and maintaining client relationships

Experience of preparing year end accounts using accounts production software such as CCH or an equivalent is also required.

The team

You will be part of the Accounts and Trust team in our Bristol office, which is a friendly and supportive team consisting of 24 people, from trainees to Director. The team work with all partners within the office, and firmwide, on a variety of tasks including statutory accounts preparation and ad‑hoc advisory work.

There is a real focus on development within the team, with the aim being for staff to develop their careers long term within the firm. Alongside a commitment to client service, and excellence in their work, there is a willingness to help each other and succeed as a team.

The Office

Our Bristol office provides a full range of accounting, audit and assurance, business advisory, tax, and VAT services to businesses and individuals both in the UK and internationally. Our staff regularly collaborate with colleagues in our national offices to ensure seamless service delivery to clients, no matter where they are located. The Bristol office offers a small office feel within the larger Saffery family of around 1200 people. Our Bristol office is home to 8 partners and more than 125 members of staff.

You

• Preferably ACA/ACCA or AAT qualified with some prior experience of working in practice.
• Strong numeracy and analytical skills, along with the ability to learn quickly.
• A good knowledge of Excel and Word is essential.
• Understanding of accounting systems including Xero, Quickbooks, Sage, Key Prime, Farmplan as well as CCH AP would be advantageous.
• Self‑motivated and pro‑active, with the ability to organise your own workload.
• Display a flexible, professional approach and have the confidence and ability to communicate effectively with managers, partners and clients.
• Natural team player with a positive and enthusiastic attitude and excellent eye for detail.
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to work on multiple jobs at once.
• Ability to work in a pressured environment.
• Proactive nature and enjoys working as part of a team.

Reward and benefits

• A 35‑hour working week with a hybrid working policy with the flexibility to work from home for up to three days per week (our core hours are 10‑4).
• Excellent benefits including contributory pension scheme, 25 days annual leave, Life Assurance cover and great flexible benefits and family friendly policies.
• Eligibility for the firm’s Profit‑Sharing Plan. Paid in December.

About Us

Saffery LLP is an adviser to individuals and businesses across a range of sectors, providing market‑leading accountancy, audit, business advisory, tax and VAT services. Founded in 1855, we are the UK’s 15th largest accountancy firm.

When you work with us at Saffery, you work with people who know your name, not just a job title. We’re a place shaped by friendly, intelligent people who are individually excellent and collectively exceptional. We’re committed to our clients, but also to our greatest asset – our people.

As a proud member of Nexia, a leading, international network of independent accounting and consulting firms, we’ve got access to local insight on a global scale.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Equality, diversity and inclusion is a top priority for us. With our ED&I strategy, Everyone Belongs, we are building on our positive work culture and implementing initiatives to improve diversity and strengthen our equitable culture of inclusion, led from the top.

We hope you will apply to us, whatever your background, ethnicity, gender, age, sexuality, disability or neurodivergence, because individual differences equal collective strength. Built on values of excellence, integrity, enthusiasm and collegiality, Saffery is where Potential meets Personal.