Williams Stanley and Co
Junior Accountant
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Reports to: Senior Tax Manager for Tax work
Location: London or Manchester / Hybrid
Salary: £26,500–£33,000, DOE
Study support: Professional study support and paid exam leave provided
Summary:
To provide accurate, timely support across both Tax compliance and SB&Co client work, while building a strong technical foundation across bookkeeping, accounts and Tax.
This is a genuine development role for someone at the start of their accountancy career who wants broad exposure rather than being placed into a single fixed lane.
The role will combine hands-on responsibility for bookkeeping and core compliance across a portfolio of small business clients with increasing exposure to year-end accounts and Tax work.
As your experience develops, we'll progressively broaden the work you take ownership of and give you greater exposure to clients, accounts and Tax.
Responsibilities:
SB&Co – Small Business
- Process client bookkeeping accurately and on time, maintaining clean and reconciled ledgers.
- Prepare and submit VAT returns, ensuring the correct scheme and treatment for each client.
- Prepare monthly and quarterly management accounts with clear, useful commentary.
- Run client payrolls end to end, including RTI submissions, auto-enrolment pension filings and year-end payroll reporting.
- Reconcile bank accounts, control accounts and supplier and customer ledgers.
- Ensure bookkeeping is reconciled and the year is closed in Xero, ready for year-end accounts.
- Respond to day-to-day client bookkeeping queries and keep clients on track for their deadlines.
- Flag issues, unusual transactions or potential planning points early.
- Build towards preparing statutory accounts and Personal Tax returns for SB&Co clients as capability develops.
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Tax & Accounts
- Prepare Personal Tax returns for individuals, sole traders and partnerships under supervision.
- Prepare straightforward Corporation Tax computations and returns.
- Assist with preparing year-end accounts for sole traders, partnerships and small companies.
- Support the review of year-end management accounts and learn to identify points requiring further investigation or feedback.
- Gather and organise client records and information, chasing outstanding items where needed.
- Maintain accurate records on Tax software and deadline trackers.
- Deal with straightforward HMRC correspondence and client queries with guidance.
- Support more experienced team members on Tax compliance and advisory work.
- Gain exposure to more technical areas of Tax as your knowledge and capability develop.
Client responsibility
As your experience develops, you'll progressively become a trusted day-to-day contact for clients rather than simply completing tasks behind the scenes.
You'll learn to:
- Understand the business behind the numbers.
- Communicate confidently and professionally with clients.
- Identify issues early and escalate them appropriately.
- Explain straightforward accounting and Tax matters clearly.
- Take increasing ownership of client work and deadlines.
Qualifications and experience
We're deliberately open on the exact level of experience for this role.
You may be:
- AAT Level 2 or Level 3 completed or in progress.
- AAT qualified or part-qualified up to Level 4.
- Looking to begin AAT with a clear commitment to building a career in accountancy.
- An existing bookkeeper looking for broader exposure to accounts and Tax.
No previous accountancy practice experience is essential for the right person, although experience in bookkeeping, Tax, payroll or accounts would be beneficial.
You'll ideally have: - Good numeracy and confidence using Excel.
- An interest in cloud accounting technology.
- Some familiarity with Xero, QuickBooks, Sage or payroll software would be helpful, although training will be provided.
- A genuine desire to build a career in accountancy and Tax.
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Skills and attributes
We're looking for someone who is:
- Eager to learn, asks good questions and takes feedback on board.
- Accurate and methodical, with pride in producing clean, reliable work.
- Well organised and reliable, able to manage several clients and competing deadlines alongside study.
- Professional and personable in day-to-day client contact.
- Curious about the businesses they work with rather than simply processing transactions.
- Comfortable working across different areas of the business.
- Keen to take increasing responsibility as their capability develops.
Development and progression
We don't see this as a role where someone remains purely a bookkeeper or junior processor indefinitely.
You'll work alongside experienced colleagues across SB&Co, Accounts and Tax, with your exposure increasing as your capability develops.
A typical development journey could include:
- Bookkeeping → Management Accounts → Year-end Accounts → Tax → greater client ownership
From there, your progression could take you further towards Client Management, Tax, or a combination of the two, depending on your strengths, interests and qualifications.
We'll support relevant professional study and give you opportunities to learn directly from experienced members of the team.
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