Part-Qualified Accountant (Practice Experience Essential)
Newtownards, Co. Down
Full-Time or Part-Time | Flexible Working Considered
Salary Negotiable Depending on Experience
Overview
We are looking for a part-qualified accountant for a senior client-facing role. The postholder will prepare and analyse management accounts, present financial information and insight to clients, and carry out hands‑on preparation of statutory accounts, tax returns and VAT returns. Support the management team to deliver an excellent client experience and develop technical capability of the onshore team and offshore colleagues.
Key Responsibilities
* Prepare accurate and timely monthly and quarterly management accounts for a varied portfolio of clients, with clear working papers and reconciliations.
* Produce management information packs and concise narrative commentaries explaining performance, variances, cashflow and key ratios, enabling clients to make informed decisions.
* Develop and maintain reporting templates, KPI trackers and dashboards to standardise insight across the client base.
* Assist with budgeting, forecasting and cashflow modelling, and support re‑forecasting as required.
* Prepare statutory accounts for sole traders, partnerships and limited companies, including associated tax computations.
* Prepare and submit VAT returns, corporation and personal tax returns and payroll‑related submissions, ensuring deadlines and regulatory requirements are met.
* Carry out regular bookkeeping reviews and remedial work where necessary to ensure financial records are reliable for reporting and compliance.
* Present management accounts and financial analysis to clients in a clear, practical manner, translating technical information into actionable recommendations.
* Identify trends, risks and opportunities, and advise clients on measures to improve profitability, cashflow and internal controls.
* Build and maintain trusted relationships, acting as a principal point of contact for allocated clients and escalating complex issues to the management team.
* Provide coaching, technical guidance and quality review for work prepared by junior colleagues, and support the professional development of team members onshore and in the Philippines.
* Liaise regularly with the Philippines team to ensure consistent application of firm processes, deliver training sessions and coordinate cross‑border workflows.
* Oversee preparation of year‑end packs and liaise with auditors or tax advisers as required.
* Ensure compliance with VAT, payroll and other statutory obligations, and handle correspondence with HMRC or other authorities when necessary.
* Keep up to date with UK accounting standards, tax changes and regulatory developments, and share relevant updates with colleagues and clients.
* Help identify and implement process improvements, automation and best practice workflows, and support the adoption of cloud accounting tools across the practice.
Essential Skills and Experience
* Part-qualified with a recognised professional body, e.g. ACCA, CIMA or ACA, actively progressing towards full qualification.
* At least four years’ experience in practice, with demonstrable responsibility for preparing and analysing management accounts and for preparing statutory accounts and tax returns.
* Proven ability to present financial information to clients and add practical business insight.
* Strong technical knowledge of accounting, VAT and basic corporate and personal tax matters.
* Excellent MS Excel skills and experience of cloud accounting systems such as Xero, QuickBooks Online or Sage.
* Confident communicator, able to liaise with clients, senior colleagues and offshore team members.
Desirable
* Experience providing technical oversight, mentoring or training to junior staff, including remote or offshore teams.
* Experience of budgeting, forecasting and cashflow modelling.
* Familiarity with reporting tools or data visualisation platforms.
* Commercial approach with the ability to identify advisory opportunities within client portfolios.
Personal Attributes
* Professional, client-focused and reliable, with meticulous attention to detail.
* Organised and able to prioritise a varied workload to meet deadlines.
* Proactive, curious and willing to take responsibility for client outcomes.
* Collaborative team player who enjoys supporting others and contributing to a positive working culture.
Remuneration and Benefits
* Competitive remuneration, commensurate with experience and stage of qualification.
* Structured training and development plan, including study support and exam leave where applicable.
* Private medical insurance, provided lunches and free on‑street parking.
* Flexible working, with consideration given to part‑time and job‑share arrangements.
* Clear career progression routes within a growing practice.
Location: Newtownards | Job type: Permanent | Posted: 01/06/2026
Contact Aideen Duggan for a confidential chat – T: 02890021616 or perm@keenanrecruitment.co.uk
Keenan Recruitment is an equal opportunity employer. We are a corporate member of REC (10638) adhering to all current employment legislation.
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