Business Solutions Manager (Accounting) (0424)

PKF is the 12th largest accountancy brand and the 12th largest audit practice in the UK. We are also an active member of PKF Global, an international network of legally independent accounting firms that gives us an on the ground presence in 150 countries around the world with access to more than 20,000 people across 440 offices globally.

We provide a full range of audit, accountancy, tax and advisory services, and are experts at simplifying complexity. We are particularly well-known for working with complex clients with challenging issues in fast-moving and highly technical areas, such as the insurance industry, the global capital markets and the not for profit sector. Our aim is to understand people, the organisations they run, and what matters to them, so we can simplify complexity and help them achieve their ambitions.

Click here to learn more about us.

Business Services 

We are the 2nd largest auditor of AIM listed companies and the 6th largest of all LSE companies with over 130 on either the Main Market or AIM. In the last 5 years we have grown significantly in the listed audit market by focussing on delivering consistent quality and making all our clients feel valued.

The team also work with a number of large, multinational private businesses across many sectors with varying regulatory and reporting requirements, and we have specialist knowledge of a range of industries – from natural resource companies, tech companies, professional practices and retailers.

You could be involved in the audit of any organisation from a listed company to working with owner-managed businesses. With every audit, you'll gain a deeper insight into each stage of the process, and a broader view of the businesses we work for. As your experience grows, so will your opportunities.

The Business Solutions team is a growing Division, offering room for career progression.  The successful candidate will have their own portfolio of clients, covering a range of industries and service offerings, from management accounts and VAT to statutory financial statements. They will provide a key role to ensure high quality service to a wide variety of businesses.

Duties and responsibilities

Portfolio 

• Control of a portfolio of clients, ensuring all reporting & payment deadlines are met.
• Full review of management accounts, reports and VAT returns, ensuring technical accuracy and that any anomalies are resolved before submission to the client.
• Full review of statutory financial statements and supporting work paper files, ensuring technical accuracy and that any anomalies are resolved before submission to the client
• Coordination of the submission of VAT returns and any necessary payment.  Liaising with local service providers, ensuring all foreign compliance returns are filed in a timely manner, as needed.
• Liaising and responding effectively to reporting or ad hoc technical queries from clients whether by email or telephone.
• The review of payment runs and online BACs payment submissions

Staff supervision and control of work

• Regular review and scheduling of work plans for staff to ensure resources are fully and efficiently utilised. Delegate down responsibilities as much as possible. 
• Supervision of Accounts Associates and Seniors, ensuring that they are completing their work correctly, providing guidance where necessary
• Complete regular appraisal documents and attend feedback/coaching sessions for staff in order to continue developing the skillsets in the team
• Identify and, where appropriate, implement enhancements to the existing compliance/processing routines, and control systems to improve efficiencies
• Communicate proactively and effectively with clients and relevant team members 

Technical skills

• Review of specialised / ad hoc reports for clients when required. E.g. budgets, cash flow statements, FCA returns
• Thorough understanding of comprehensive VAT reporting requirements 
• Keep up to date with technical developments affecting work.  Carry out proactive research (financial reporting & tax related)
• Comprehensive understanding and experience of UK GAAP and IFRS
• Enhance and develop variety of accounting software skills to ensure knowledge with accounting packages on the market and benefits/differences of each is kept up to date

Clients and relationships 

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, supervisors, suppliers and clients.
• Organise and attend regular client meetings
• Understanding client environment, systems, business, and risk factors
• Understand the Service Level Agreement in place with client. i.e. the contracted scope of work so that fees can be agreed for any additional work requests
• Overseeing and control timetable and processes of yearend procedures and liaising with auditors
• On boarding of new clients, including preparation of proposal and KYC documents, and overseeing the accounting package and chart of accounts set up
• Liaising with other departments as needed. E.g. Payroll, VAT, Corporation tax, Audit etc
• Attend networking events to build and develop contacts

Departmental performance

• WIP & billing control; implement and monitor budgets, overseeing costings on client portfolio and reporting / explaining recovery to management on a monthly basis. Prepare and review monthly and ad hoc bills
• Take control of other administrative tasks in portfolio, such as review and updates to Service Level Agreements and Fee increases, KYC updates, and system notes available
• Assist with projects in the team, to be achieved by deadlines set. E.g. efficiency drives 
• Attend manager and director meetings and contribute ideas on projects, change implementation and review performance of portfolio (variances etc)
• Reporting on a regular basis to Management and other Heads of Department as required

• ACCA/ACA qualified – 3-4 years post qualified
• Previous leadership experience
• Ability to manage variety of tasks and deadlines, good time management and able to work under pressure 
• An analytical approach with good attention to detail
• Very strong communication skills and confident when dealing with clients
• Forward thinking, demonstrating confidence to move forward with an idea
• Demonstrate good problem solving skills
• An enthusiastic, smart-working individual with a "can do" attitude  
• A willingness to learn and grow within a commercial environment where client care is the primary focus
• Excellent Software knowledge required for Xero, Dext
• Moderate Software experience with Sage, QuickBooks, CaseWare

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