Senior Accountant – Accountancy Department Lead

Manchester | Full-time, 37.5 hours per week | Flexible and hybrid working available

Ready to build an accountancy department, shape its future and grow a team around you?

Imperium Financial Recruitment is recruiting for an ambitious, experienced Accountant to lead the development of a newly formed firm of Chartered Accountants based in Manchester.

This is an opportunity to take ownership from the outset: building a client portfolio, establishing effective systems and delivering a high-quality accountancy service. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, you will have a hands-on role in shaping how the department operates and develops.

A steady flow of qualified client introductions will be provided through an internal lead source, with no requirement to generate new business. This will allow you to focus on delivering excellent work, building lasting relationships and developing the department as demand grows.

The opportunity

This role would suit a qualified practice accountant ready to step into a leadership position, or an experienced manager looking for greater ownership and the chance to build something from the ground up.

Initially, you will take responsibility for client delivery yourself. As the portfolio expands, you will help recruit and develop a team, establishing the standards and working practices that support its success.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the establishment and growth of the accountancy department.
• Build and manage a portfolio of clients introduced through the internal lead source.
• Prepare and deliver year-end accounts, personal and corporation tax returns, and wider accountancy services.
• Understand each client’s requirements and provide clear, practical advice.
• Build strong client relationships, becoming a trusted point of contact.
• Manage deadlines, workloads and service delivery across the portfolio.
• Establish effective processes, accounting systems and quality standards.
• Ensure work meets relevant professional and statutory requirements.
• Report to the Board of Directors on the department’s progress, workload and resourcing needs.
• Recruit, support and develop team members as the client portfolio grows.

About you

You will combine strong technical knowledge with the confidence and ambition to lead a developing department. You should bring:

• ACA, ACCA, CIMA or an equivalent professional qualification, supported by substantial accountancy practice experience.
• Confident handling of year-end accounts, personal tax and corporation tax.
• Experience managing client relationships and delivering work to agreed deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex matters clearly.
• A self-motivated, organised approach and the confidence to take ownership.
• The drive to build a department and develop a team.
• Experience using Sage, alongside familiarity with systems such as Xero and QuickBooks.
• Knowledge of HMRC Real Time Information reporting.

Why apply?

• Build and lead a new accountancy department, with the opportunity to influence its direction from the outset.
• Develop a portfolio through qualified internal client introductions.
• Focus on client service and technical delivery, without new-business targets.
• Work directly with the Board of Directors.
• Help select systems, shape processes and recruit your future team.
• Benefit from flexible working patterns, including the option of hybrid working.

Working arrangements

The role is based in Manchester, working 37.5 hours per week, with standard hours of Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm. Flexible working patterns and hybrid arrangements can be accommodated.