Hays
Accounts & Business Advisory Manager or Senior Manager

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Hays are working with a Top 10 firm in Ipswich to source an Accounting and Business Advisory Manager or Senior Manager for their fast-growing team.
You will take ownership of a client portfolio, leading the preparation and review of accounts while ensuring compliance with relevant standards and deadlines. You will manage and develop a team, oversee workflow planning, and act as a trusted advisor to clients on a range of financial and business matters.
This is a key role within the team, focused on delivering high-quality client service while contributing to the ongoing growth and development of the practice and can be appointed at Manager or Senior Manager level.
Key Responsibilities
Client & Portfolio Management
- Manage a portfolio of clients, acting as the main point of contact
- Build strong relationships, understanding clients' businesses, objectives, and challenges
- Lead year-end accounts discussions and identify opportunities to provide additional advisory services
- Respond to client queries independently and proactively
Team Leadership & Development
- Manage and support a team, ensuring effective workflow planning and delivery
- Review work produced by junior team members, providing constructive feedback and coaching
- Allocate work effectively, encouraging development through challenging assignments
- Support recruitment, interviews, and development of junior staff
Service Delivery & Compliance
- Oversee the preparation and review of statutory accounts and financial reporting
- Ensure all work is completed in line with accounting standards and internal procedures
- Manage deadlines across the portfolio to ensure timely delivery
- Maintain high levels of accuracy and attention to detail
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Commercial & Operational Management
- Monitor WIP and ensure timely billing, addressing any recoverability concerns
- Challenge fee levels in line with job recovery and commercial performance
- Contribute to proposals, tenders, and fee quotes to support new business generation
- Drive efficiency improvements and adopt new technologies where appropriate
Core Competencies
Client Focus
- Strong understanding of client needs, markets, and business environments
- Ability to identify opportunities to add value and support business growth
- Confident in managing client relationships independently
Technical Excellence
- Maintains strong technical knowledge of accounts and business advisory services
- Able to interpret financial results and provide meaningful commercial insight
- Shares knowledge with the wider team and contributes to training initiatives
Leadership & Commitment
- Takes ownership of team performance and workflow planning
- Identifies skills gaps and supports ongoing development initiatives
- Demonstrates enthusiasm and actively contributes to team and firm-wide activities
Technical Skills
- Preparation and review of statutory and consolidated accounts
- Ability to interpret financial data, including working capital and cash flow
- Experience preparing and reviewing forecasts and projections
- Strong understanding of VAT, including partial exemption and reverse-charge
- Ability to identify and explain prior period adjustments
- Experience advising on financial performance and business planning
- Exposure to group structures, consolidations, and reliefs are desirable.


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Key Behaviours
- Strong decision-making skills and confidence in managing responsibility
- Ability to challenge existing processes and drive continuous improvement
- Encourages independent thinking within the team
- Demonstrates integrity and alignment with firm values
Qualifications & Experience
- ACA, ACCA or equivalent qualified (or qualified by experience)
- Proven experience within an accountancy practice environment
- Demonstrable experience managing client portfolios and leading teams
- Strong technical accounts and advisory background
What's on Offer
- Opportunity to lead a portfolio and play a key role in team development
- Exposure to a broad range of clients and advisory work
- Clear progression pathway within a growing practice
- Supportive and collaborative working environment
- Highly competitive salary along with extensive benefits
- New, modern offices
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, please contact Cara Whyte at Hays or click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Hays EA is a trading division of Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited and acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location