Job Title: Senior Manager

Location: Inverness

Salary: Based on Experience

Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Manager to join their Inverness office. The successful candidate will lead a portfolio of clients, provide high-level oversight of accounts, tax computations, statutory reporting, and strategic advisory services while ensuring full compliance with UK accounting and regulatory standards. The role requires advanced technical expertise in financial reporting, tax planning, management accounts, and business performance analysis, alongside strong proficiency in cloud accounting systems, IRIS, Excel, and digital workflow tools. The Senior Manager will play a key leadership role in mentoring and developing teams, driving operational efficiency, supporting business growth initiatives, and maintaining strong client relationships as a trusted advisor. The position also involves contributing to strategic decision-making, overseeing profitability and resource planning, and championing continuous improvement and digital transformation across the firm.

Technical Expertise (Advanced):

• High-level review of accounts, tax computations, and financial statements
• Advising clients on complex technical matters including tax planning and structuring
• Oversight of preparation and filing of statutory accounts under FRS 102 and FRS 105
• Providing insight into management accounts, KPIs, and business performance
• Ensuring technical accuracy and regulatory compliance across all work
• Keeping up to date with changes in accounting and tax legislation and ensuring team compliance
• Supporting implementation of new accounting standards and regulatory updates across the firm

Software Skills: 

• Proficient in accounting software, including: 
  • Xero 
  • QuickBooks Online 
  • Freeagent
  • Sage 50 / Sage Business Cloud 
• Experience using tax and accounts production software IRIS
• Skilled in Microsoft Excel
• Comfortable working with digital document and workflow systems (e.g., Dext, Hubdoc) 
• Familiar with practice management systems- Iris and SPS

Organisational & Analytical Skills: 

•  Strong attention to detail and high accuracy standards
• Capable of analysing financial data to identify trends or discrepancies
• Well-organised and efficient under pressure
• Effective multitasking and time management skills
• Proactive and solution-oriented with continuous improvement mindset
• Able to manage competing demands and tight deadlines across clients

Leadership & Team Development:

• Managing and mentoring managers, seniors, and trainees across departments
• Leading recruitment, appraisals, and performance reviews
• Setting training objectives and supporting team CPD and exam progression
• Encouraging a culture of continuous improvement and accountability
• Driving staff engagement and contributing to a positive workplace culture
• Leading internal training sessions and sharing technical knowledge firmwide

Strategic & Management Skills:

• Leading a portfolio of clients, ensuring high-quality service and client satisfaction
• Strategic planning and oversight of practice-wide workflows and resource allocation
• Monitoring profitability and performance of client engagements
• Developing and implementing internal processes to improve efficiency and compliance
• Supporting business development through networking, referrals, and client retention
• Identifying opportunities for advisory services and cross-selling firm offerings
• Preparing internal management reports for partners/directors
• Contributing to strategic decision-making and growth initiatives within the firm
• Ensuring compliance with ISQM (UK) 1 and other relevant quality standards
• Managing billing, WIP recovery, and debtor management for assigned portfolio

 Client Relationship Management:

• Acting as the primary point of contact for key clients
• Advising on business strategy, growth, tax efficiency, and risk management
• Leading client meetings and presenting financial insights at board level
• Building long-term client relationships based on trust, responsiveness, and value
• Managing client expectations and resolving escalated issues professionally

Software & Digital Competence:

• Advanced user of cloud accounting software (Xero, QuickBooks, Sage Business Cloud)
• Oversight of firm-wide adoption of practice management systems (e.g., Karbon, Accountancy Manager)
• Proficient in accounts/tax production software (e.g., IRIS, CCH, TaxCalc, VT Final Accounts)
• Strong Excel skills for financial modelling, budgeting, and analysis
• Championing digital transformation and workflow automation across the firm