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⚡ Source: ReedRef: 56825636

Practise Accountant

Dickson O'Brien Associates·Manchester·Posted 1 week ago
💰 £50-60k/year
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Job description

Original text imported from Reed


Practice Accountant

A well-established and forward-thinking accountancy practice is looking to recruit a Practice Accountant to join their expanding team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with practice experience who is looking to take the next step in their career within a supportive and progressive environment.

The Opportunity

You will manage your own portfolio of clients across a range of industries, working closely with business owners and providing a high level of service. The role offers a great mix of accounts, tax, and client interaction, with genuine scope for progression.

Key Responsibilities

  • Preparation of year-end accounts for limited companies, sole traders and partnerships
  • Preparation and submission of VAT returns
  • Personal and corporate tax returns
  • Managing client relationships and acting as a key point of contact
  • Assisting clients with queries and providing practical advice
  • Supporting junior team members where appropriate

About You

  • Previous experience working within an accountancy practice is essential
  • AAT / ACCA / ACA qualified, part-qualified, or qualified by experience
  • Strong technical knowledge across accounts and tax
  • Experience with cloud-based software such as Xero, QuickBooks, or Sage
  • Confident communicator with a client-focused approach

What’s on Offer

  • Competitive salary with regular reviews
  • Flexible / hybrid working options
  • Friendly, collaborative team environment
  • Clear progression opportunities
  • Exposure to a varied and interesting client base


SpeedCV AI

Key skills

AI-extracted from the job advert

Must-have skills
Practice accountancy experienceAAT qualificationACCA qualificationACA qualificationVAT return preparationYear-end accounts preparationCloud-based accounting softwareXeroQuickBooksSage
Nice-to-have
Client relationship managementTeam mentoringMulti-industry experiencePersonal tax returnsCorporate tax returns
Soft skills
Client-focused approachCommunicationTeamworkMentoringProblem solvingRelationship building
SpeedCV AI

Application advice

5 AI-generated recommendations to maximise your chances.

1

⭐ Highlight your practice accountancy experience prominently as this is explicitly stated as essential

2

📊 Quantify your client portfolio: 'Managed 45+ clients across retail and manufacturing sectors'

3

🌐 Emphasise your cloud software expertise with Xero, QuickBooks or Sage as these are specifically mentioned

4

🎯 Showcase your qualification status (AAT/ACCA/ACA) early in your CV as this is a key requirement

5

🤝 Demonstrate client relationship management skills as you'll be the key point of contact for business owners

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Suggested CV bullets

3 bullets our AI drafted for this specific advert, mirroring its ATS keywords.

How to tailor your CV

Add these 3 bullets under your most recent experience:

  • Managed portfolio of 42 clients across retail and manufacturing sectors, preparing year-end accounts and achieving 98% on-time delivery
  • Prepared and submitted 180+ VAT returns annually using Xero and QuickBooks, maintaining 100% compliance record
  • Mentored 3 junior accountants in accounts preparation techniques, reducing their review time by 35%

Free to copy — tailoring requires a 30-sec CV upload.

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Letter preview — tailored to Dickson O'Brien Associates

Dear Hiring Manager,

Dickson O'Brien Associates' reputation for progressive client service and team development makes this Practice Accountant role particularly appealing. My ACCA qualification and cloud-based software expertise with Xero and Sage align perfectly with your requirements for managing diverse client portfolios.

My background in practice accountancy has equipped me with comprehensive experience in year-end accounts preparation, VAT returns, and direct client relationship management across multiple sectors. I have successfully managed portfolios of 40+ clients while mentoring junior staff members.

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SpeedCV AI

Interview questions

10 questions generated from this advert.

Technical

  • How would you approach preparing year-end accounts for a partnership versus a limited company?
  • Walk me through your process for preparing and submitting VAT returns
  • What cloud-based accounting software have you used and what are the key differences between them?
  • How do you stay current with changes in tax legislation and accounting standards?
  • Describe your experience with corporate tax return preparation

Behavioural

  • Tell me about a time you had to explain complex accounting concepts to a client
  • Describe a situation where you had to manage competing priorities with multiple clients
  • Give an example of how you've supported or mentored a junior colleague
  • Tell me about a challenging client relationship and how you managed it
  • Describe a time when you identified an error in accounts and how you handled it
SpeedCV AINEW

STAR answer examples

Model answers using the Situation-Task-Action-Result framework. Adapt to your own experience.

1Question

Tell me about a time you had to explain complex accounting concepts to a client

A manufacturing client was confused about the VAT implications of their new EU sales arrangements post-Brexit. I scheduled a 45-minute meeting to walk through the specific VAT registration requirements and distance selling thresholds. I created a simple flowchart showing their obligations for sales to Germany and France, highlighting the £8,818 threshold. The client implemented the new processes immediately, avoiding potential £12,000 in penalties, and referred two similar businesses to our practice within 3 months.
2Question

Describe a situation where you had to manage competing priorities with multiple clients

During January filing season, I had 15 clients requiring year-end accounts by 31st January, while 8 others needed urgent VAT returns. I created a priority matrix based on filing deadlines and penalty risks, then communicated revised timelines to all clients within 24 hours. I completed the most critical 12 accounts first, delegated 3 straightforward cases to junior staff with my review, and delivered all work on time. This approach prevented £4,200 in late filing penalties across the client base.

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