Business Services Associate Director
Job description
Original text imported from Reed
A fantastic opportunity has arisen with a leading firm of Chartered Accountants based in Preston, and Crowe Watson Recruitment, one of the UK’s most trusted names in accountancy practice recruitment, has been exclusively appointed to assist in finding the right individual for this key role. This is a genuinely exciting position for an experienced professional looking to take the next step into senior leadership, and the firm offers flexible working arrangements, a competitive company pension, and much more to support both your professional and personal life. With a strong regional presence and a reputation for delivering exceptional client service, this is a practice where ambition is recognised and rewarded. If you are looking for a role where you can genuinely make an impact, this could be the perfect next move.
In this role, you will take a leading position in the delivery of a wide range of business services work, overseeing a portfolio of clients across a variety of sectors. You will be responsible for managing and developing a talented team, ensuring the highest standards of technical output and client care are consistently maintained. The firm places great importance on developing its people, and as an Associate Director you will play a central role in shaping the future direction of the business services function. You will work closely with partners and senior stakeholders, contributing to the strategic growth of the practice and identifying opportunities to further develop client relationships.
The successful candidate will be a technically strong and commercially minded individual with a proven track record at a senior level within accountancy practice. You will be comfortable managing multiple priorities and working to deadlines, while maintaining a collaborative and professional approach. This is a role that offers genuine progression for the right individual, and the firm is keen to meet candidates who bring both expertise and enthusiasm to the table.
You might not meet all the criteria, but if you are passionate about developing yourself and your career, we’d love to hear from you.
Crowe Watson is acting as an Employment Agency. References to pay rates are indicative and salary is dependent on experience.
Key Responsibilities- Managing a client portfolio, delivering high-quality business services advice and ensuring client satisfaction at all times
- Leading, mentoring and developing members of the team to support their professional growth
- Working closely with partners to contribute to the strategic direction and growth of the practice
- Ensuring compliance with all relevant accounting standards and regulatory requirements
- Identifying opportunities to develop existing client relationships and win new business
- Must have previous experience working within a UK Practice environment
- ACA or ACCA qualified, with significant post-qualification experience at a senior level
- Strong technical knowledge across accounts preparation, management reporting and associated business services disciplines
- Demonstrated ability to manage and develop a team, with excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- A commercial mindset with the confidence to contribute to business development activity
Key skills
AI-extracted from the job advert
Application advice
5 AI-generated recommendations to maximise your chances.
⭐ Highlight your ACA or ACCA qualification prominently as this is explicitly required for the Associate Director role
📊 Quantify your team leadership experience: 'Led 8-person team, improving client retention by 15%'
🎯 Emphasise your UK practice experience as this is a must-have requirement mentioned in the criteria
🤝 Showcase client portfolio management skills with specific metrics about client satisfaction or retention
💼 Demonstrate business development achievements with concrete examples of new client wins or relationship growth
Suggested CV bullets
3 bullets our AI drafted for this specific advert, mirroring its ATS keywords.
Add these 3 bullets under your most recent experience:
- •Led business services team of 12 professionals, achieving 94% client retention rate and £2.1M fee income growth over 18 months
- •Managed portfolio of 85 clients across manufacturing and retail sectors, delivering accounts preparation and compliance services within statutory deadlines
- •Developed 3 senior associates through ACA study support, resulting in 100% first-time pass rate and internal promotions
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Dear Hiring Manager,
The Associate Director position at your Preston practice represents exactly the senior leadership opportunity I've been seeking, particularly given your reputation for exceptional client service and commitment to developing ambitious professionals. My ACA qualification and extensive UK practice experience in business services delivery align perfectly with your requirements.
My background in managing client portfolios and leading technical teams has prepared me to contribute immediately to your practice's strategic growth while maintaining the highest standards of client care and regulatory compliance.
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Interview questions
10 questions generated from this advert.
Technical
- ›How would you approach managing compliance with current accounting standards across a diverse client portfolio?
- ›What strategies would you use to ensure high-quality accounts preparation across your team?
- ›How do you stay current with regulatory requirements affecting business services?
- ›Describe your approach to technical review and quality control processes
- ›What experience do you have with business services beyond traditional accounts preparation?
Behavioural
- ›Tell me about a time you had to develop and mentor a junior team member
- ›Describe a situation where you identified a business development opportunity with an existing client
- ›How do you manage competing priorities when working with multiple client deadlines?
- ›Give an example of how you've contributed to strategic decision-making at a senior level
- ›Tell me about a challenging client situation and how you resolved it
STAR answer examples
Model answers using the Situation-Task-Action-Result framework. Adapt to your own experience.
Tell me about a time you had to develop and mentor a junior team member
Describe a situation where you identified a business development opportunity with an existing client