Associate Director - Accounts

Overview

Group Head of Talent Acquisition at Affinia

Job title: Associate Director: Accounts

Reporting to: Director/ Regional Head

Hours: Full time Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm (37.5 hours per week)

Location: Orpington / Sidcup / Sutton office

Affinia is a leading, UK Top 50 Accountancy firm. Through successful acquisitions and organic growth, the firm has seen significant development within the last 18 months. Last October we launched our new brand ‘Affinia’ (www.affinia.co.uk) which brought LB Group and six other likeminded firms across the East & South East of England to form a combined challenger accounting, tax and business advisory firm. With a combined heritage spanning over 300 years, we have more than 400 accountancy professionals based in Stratford, Colchester, Chelmsford, Ipswich, Halstead, Harlow, Leigh on Sea, Orpington, Sidcup, and Sutton. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across seven principal practice groups: Accountancy & Advisory, Tax and Planning, Audit Services, Corporate Finance, Digital Solutions, Payroll and Financial Planning.

We have invested continuously in technology and gained in-depth knowledge across a broad range of markets, growing through acquisitions and private investment. We offer an exceptional service to our clients, with access to our sector experts to develop the strategy that will help them reach their goals. We keep a finger on the industry pulse, so our clients receive the best short to medium and long-term advice.

Purpose of the role

As an Associate Director within our expanding Accounts service line you will lead a high-value client portfolio, delivering strategic, compliant, and commercially successful services. You will act as a key advisor to clients, supporting business development efforts and identifying opportunities to add value. Internally, you will oversee and mentor Managers and Senior Managers, role model the firm’s values, and contribute to service line strategy, operational projects, and change initiatives. You’ll take ownership of process improvements, risk management, and cross-location collaboration, while supporting the Director or Service Line Head in achieving team and firm-wide objectives.

You will be supported in your role with line management and leadership training as well as CPD access via Tolley’s, Croner-i, Mercia and LinkedIn Learning as required. Together with your line manager you will craft a development plan that sees you succeed in your role and plan for the next step should you wish to take it.

Accountabilities

Client and Portfolio Leadership

• Lead service delivery for a portfolio of high-value or technically complex clients, ensuring timely, high-quality, and compliant output.
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients, providing strategic, commercially sound advice and proactively identifying opportunities to add value.
• Maintain strong client relationships through regular contact, effective communication, and a deep understanding of client needs.

Commercial and Financial Management

• Monitor WIP, billing, and recovery rates across your portfolio, taking proactive action to maximise profitability and manage overruns or scope creep.
• Meet targets for billable hours, utilisation, and portfolio profitability, ensuring jobs are delivered within agreed budgets and timeframes.
• Contribute to fee discussions, service scoping, and pricing strategy in collaboration with Directors and Partners.

Strategic and Operational Contribution

• Contribute insights to the development of service line and group strategy, particularly in any areas of specialism or market knowledge.
• Support Directors and Service Line Leaders (SLLs) on strategic initiatives and internal planning projects.
• Take ownership of service line projects, driving outcomes that support operational efficiency, quality, or growth.
• Stay informed on market trends, competitor activity, and emerging client needs to inform service line positioning.

People Leadership and Culture

• Provide ongoing guidance and structured development opportunities to junior team members, particularly Managers and Senior Managers.
• Act as a role model for firm values and behaviours, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct or support performance appraisals, 1:1s, and feedback processes to drive individual and team growth.
• Champion diversity and inclusion within the team, promoting open, honest, and two-way communication across locations.

Process Improvement and Change

• Identify and lead process improvements that enhance service efficiency, quality, or client experience.
• Support the adoption and implementation of new technology or systems, advocating for smarter ways of working.
• Embrace and help deliver change projects within the service line or wider group.

Risk Management and Compliance

• Ensure all services are delivered in line with firm quality standards, ethical policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Manage risks associated with client engagements, including reputational, legal, and compliance risks.
• Proactively identify and escalate internal risk incidents or concerns in line with firm protocols.

Business Development and External Profile

• Support Directors and SLLs with business development activities including proposals, pitches, and client onboarding.
• Identify and act on cross-selling or upselling opportunities within your client portfolio.
• Represent the firm at industry events, networking opportunities, and speaking engagements, contributing to the firm\'s public profile.

Professional skills/qualifications

• ACA, ACCA or equivalent qualification (fully qualified with significant post-qualification experience)
• Typically 10+ years in practice with demonstrable experience managing large or complex clients
• Expert technical knowledge of UK GAAP (FRS 102), Companies Act, and tax principles
• Track record in commercial portfolio management, WIP/billing oversight, and client retention
• Strong leadership and coaching skills, including mentoring Managers and future leaders
• Strategic thinker with the ability to contribute to business planning and change initiatives
• High-level communication and interpersonal skills, with credibility to represent the firm.

Core Benefits

At Affinia, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth. Alongside a flexible and inclusive work environment, we offer the following core benefits:

• Auto enrolment Pension Scheme with True Potential
• Death in Service
• Professional membership support
• Paycare – claim money back for Dental / Optical / Professional Therapies
• Agile/Hybrid Working Policy
• Dress for your Diary Policy

Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.

Affinia is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion, or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy, or maternity, or sexual orientation. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.

For applicants: this role is based in the Orpington/Sidcup/Sutton area and may require travel to other locations as needed.

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