Accounts & Business Advisory Associate

Recruiter
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
Location
Suffolk
Contract
Permanent
Work pattern
Not Specified
First listed by Ontap
8 October 2026
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Job description

Your new company

Hays are delighted to be partnering with a highly respected and forward-thinking accountancy firm in Suffolk to recruit an Accounts & Business Advisory Associate for their Saxmundham office. This is an exciting opportunity to join a collaborative and supportive team that works with a diverse portfolio of owner-managed businesses, SMEs and private clients across the region. The firm is renowned for investing in its people, providing excellent career development opportunities, professional study support and exposure to a broad range of accounting, tax and advisory work. With a strong focus on client relationships, technical excellence and career progression, this is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious accountancy practice professional looking to continue developing their skills and build a long-term career within a leading regional firm.

Your new role

As an Accounts & Business Advisory Associate, you will play a key role in supporting a diverse portfolio of clients, helping to deliver high-quality accounting, compliance and advisory services. Working closely with senior team members, you will gain exposure to a broad range of accounting and tax matters while continuing to develop your technical expertise within a collaborative and supportive environment.

Your responsibilities will include:

Preparing statutory accounts for a varied client base
Assisting with bookkeeping, VAT returns and management accounts
Supporting the preparation of corporation tax computations
Performing account reconciliations and resolving discrepancies
Liaising directly with clients to obtain information and respond to queries
Working with cloud-based accounting software, including Xero and other digital tools
Assisting with payroll reconciliations and compliance work
Supporting senior colleagues with advisory and compliance assignments
Ensuring work is completed accurately and within agreed deadlines
Building and maintaining strong client relationships through excellent service delivery

What you'll need to succeed

To be successful in this role, you'll be studying towards a relevant accountancy qualification (AAT, ACA, ACCA or equivalent) or be qualified by experience, with previous accountancy practice experience and a strong technical foundation.

You will ideally have experience in:

Preparing VAT returns and VAT reconciliations
Working with a variety of VAT schemes, including Cash Accounting, Flat Rate and Partial Exemption
Reconciling payroll control accounts, wages and turnover figures
Assisting with bookkeeping and accounts preparation assignments
Preparing and reviewing client records using cloud accounting software, including Xero
Managing bank feeds and bank rules within accounting systems
Understanding the distinction between accounting profit and taxable profit
Supporting personal tax compliance work, including awareness of income tax bands and available allowances
Assisting with P11 D information gathering and submissions
Communicating directly with HMRC and clients in a professional manner
Identifying unusual or high-risk items and escalating where appropriate

You'll be highly organised, possess excellent attention to detail and be comfortable managing multiple client deadlines, whilst delivering an outstanding level of service and building strong client relationships.

What you'll get in return

You would be joining a highly regarded and people-focused accountancy practice that is committed to supporting your professional and personal development.

You'll benefit from:

Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package
Full ACA/ACCA study support
Clear career progression opportunities within a growing firm
Exposure to a varied portfolio of SME, owner-managed business and private clients
Ongoing training and development from experienced professionals
A collaborative and supportive team environment
Modern systems and cloud-based accounting technology
The opportunity to broaden your accounts, tax and advisory experience
Long-term career prospects within a respected regional practice

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious accountancy practice professional looking to build a successful career within a firm that genuinely invests in its people and provides a clear pathway for progression.

What you need to do now If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. 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

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