Senior Accountant

Knights Lowe Limited; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK accountancy firm in Ipswich is looking for an AAT qualified professional to manage a portfolio of clients, preparing accounts and supporting tax compliance. This role involves direct client contact and mentoring of team members. Key qualifications include experience in UK practice and skills in communication and organisation. We offer competitive salary packages, hybrid working, and various employee benefits including pension schemes and development opportunities.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Hybrid working

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to work scheme

Electric car salary sacrifice scheme

Holiday purchase

Medical cash plan

Enhanced pension scheme

Group life assurance

Charity events and paid volunteering day

Qualifications

• Experience in preparing statutory accounts and working papers.
• Ability to build relationships with clients and explain financial information.
• Experience in tax computations and identifying basic tax issues.

Responsibilities

• Prepare statutory accounts and work papers.
• Act as a point of contact for day-to-day client queries.
• Assist with corporation tax computations and personal tax information.

Skills

AAT qualified

Experience working in UK accountancy practice

Confident preparing accounts for a range of business types

Comfortable communicating directly with clients

Organised

Reliable

Able to manage multiple deadlines

Keen to continue developing technically and professionally

Education

ACA/ACCA part-qualified or qualified by experience

Job description

The Role

You will work on a portfolio of clients including limited companies, partnerships and sole traders, preparing and finalising accounts, supporting tax compliance and acting as a day‑to‑day contact for clients.

You will also play an important part in supporting and guiding Assistants and trainees within the team.

Key Responsibilities

Accounts & Compliance

• Preparing statutory accounts and working papers for a range of clients
• Leading assignments from initial records through to draft accounts stage
• Ensuring files are complete, well‑organised and ready for Manager review
• Completing and reviewing VAT returns and bookkeeping where required
• Assisting with management accounts and financial reporting for clients

Client Contact

• Acting as a regular point of contact for clients on day‑to‑day queries
• Building strong working relationships with business owners and finance teams
• Explaining accounts and financial information in a clear, practical way
• Escalating technical or complex matters to Managers or Directors where appropriate

Tax Support

• Assisting with corporation tax computations and personal tax information
• Identifying basic tax issues and involving specialists where needed
• Supporting the wider team during busy tax periods

Team Contribution

• Supporting and mentoring Assistants and trainees on assignments
• Reviewing basic work and providing constructive feedback
• Working collaboratively with Managers to ensure workflow is managed effectively

Key Skills and Qualifications

• AAT qualified, ACA/ACCA part‑qualified or qualified by experience
• Experience working in UK accountancy practice
• Confident preparing accounts for a range of business types
• Comfortable communicating directly with clients
• Organised, reliable and able to manage multiple deadlines
• Keen to continue developing technically and professionally

What We Offer

• Exposure to a wide variety of clients and sectors
• A supportive team environment with clear progression
• Opportunities to build advisory and client‑facing skills
• A role with real responsibility and ownership of work

The salary package will be competitive, depending upon the level of qualification and experience. You will have an opportunity to progress and develop where applicable.

Hybrid working with fully hosted systems

Progression opportunities

Employee Assistant Programme

Cycle to work scheme

Electric car salary sacrifice scheme

Holiday purchase

Varied and successful clients, client and interaction

Modern offices and working practices

Social events

Medical cash plan

Enhanced pension scheme

Group life assurance

Charity events and paid volunteering day