Junior Accountant

Reports to: Senior Tax Manager for Tax work

Location: London or Manchester / Hybrid

Salary: £26,500–£33,000, DOE and Qualifications

Study support: Professional study support and paid exam leave provided

Summary:

To provide accurate, timely support across both Tax compliance and SB&Co client work, while building a strong technical foundation across bookkeeping, accounts and Tax.

This is a genuine development role for someone at the start of their accountancy career who wants broad exposure rather than being placed into a single fixed lane.

The role will combine hands-on responsibility for bookkeeping and core compliance across a portfolio of small business clients with increasing exposure to year-end accounts and Tax work.

As your experience develops, we'll progressively broaden the work you take ownership of and give you greater exposure to clients, accounts and Tax.

Responsibilities:

SB&Co – Small Business

• Process client bookkeeping accurately and on time, maintaining clean and reconciled ledgers.
• Prepare and submit VAT returns, ensuring the correct scheme and treatment for each client.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly management accounts with clear, useful commentary.
• Run client payrolls end to end, including RTI submissions, auto-enrolment pension filings and year-end payroll reporting.
• Reconcile bank accounts, control accounts and supplier and customer ledgers.
• Ensure bookkeeping is reconciled and the year is closed in Xero, ready for year-end accounts.
• Respond to day-to-day client bookkeeping queries and keep clients on track for their deadlines.
• Flag issues, unusual transactions or potential planning points early.
• Build towards preparing statutory accounts and Personal Tax returns for SB&Co clients as capability develops.

Tax & Accounts

• Prepare Personal Tax returns for individuals, sole traders and partnerships under supervision.
• Prepare straightforward Corporation Tax computations and returns.
• Assist with preparing year-end accounts for sole traders, partnerships and small companies.
• Support the review of year-end management accounts and learn to identify points requiring further investigation or feedback.
• Gather and organise client records and information, chasing outstanding items where needed.
• Maintain accurate records on Tax software and deadline trackers.
• Deal with straightforward HMRC correspondence and client queries with guidance.
• Support more experienced team members on Tax compliance and advisory work.
• Gain exposure to more technical areas of Tax as your knowledge and capability develop.

Client responsibility

• As your experience develops, you'll progressively become a trusted day-to-day contact for clients rather than simply completing tasks behind the scenes.
• You'll learn to:
• Understand the business behind the numbers.
• Communicate confidently and professionally with clients.
• Identify issues early and escalate them appropriately.
• Explain straightforward accounting and Tax matters clearly.
• Take increasing ownership of client work and deadlines.

Qualifications and experience

• We're deliberately open on the exact level of experience for this role.
• You may be:
• AAT Level 2 or Level 3 completed or in progress.
• AAT qualified or part-qualified up to Level 4.
• Looking to begin AAT with a clear commitment to building a career in accountancy.
• An existing bookkeeper looking for broader exposure to accounts and Tax.
• No previous accountancy practice experience is essential for the right person, although experience in bookkeeping, Tax, payroll or accounts would be beneficial.
• You'll ideally have:
• Good numeracy and confidence using Excel.
• An interest in cloud accounting technology.
• Some familiarity with Xero, QuickBooks, Sage or payroll software would be helpful, although training will be provided.
• A genuine desire to build a career in accountancy and Tax.

Skills and attributes

• We're looking for someone who is:
• Eager to learn, asks good questions and takes feedback on board.
• Accurate and methodical, with pride in producing clean, reliable work.
• Well organised and reliable, able to manage several clients and competing deadlines alongside study.
• Professional and personable in day-to-day client contact.
• Curious about the businesses they work with rather than simply processing transactions.
• Comfortable working across different areas of the business.
• Keen to take increasing responsibility as their capability develops.

Development and progression

• We don't see this as a role where someone remains purely a bookkeeper or junior processor indefinitely.
• You'll work alongside experienced colleagues across SB&Co, Accounts and Tax, with your exposure increasing as your capability develops.
• A typical development journey could include:
• Bookkeeping → Management Accounts → Year-end Accounts → Tax → greater client ownership
• From there, your progression could take you further towards Client Management, Tax, or a combination of the two, depending on your strengths, interests and qualifications.
• We'll support relevant professional study and give you opportunities to learn directly from experienced members of the team.