Associate Director - Accounting and Financial Reporting

Preston, England, United Kingdom

12/7/2024

As one of the world's largest networks of audit, tax and consulting firms, RSM delivers big ideas and premium service to help middle-market businesses thrive. We are a fast-growing firm with big ambitions -- we have a clear goal to become the premium adviser to the middle market, globally. This vision touches everything we do, motivating and inspiring us to become better every day. If you are looking for a firm where you can build a future and make an impact, then RSM is the place for you.

Overall Job Purpose

This exciting role is to join the largest Accounting and Business Advisory (ABA) team in the North West, based across Greater Manchester from our Manchester city centre office. The ABA team is split into two sub-teams - Accounting, Insight and Advisory (AIA) and Accounting and Financial Reporting (AFR).

The role is Associate Director in the AFR team. This is a fantastic opportunity for the right individual to help build, develop and lead a team, grow the AFR and advisory offering in Manchester, and instil and reinforce best practice and processes in all that we do.

The NW client base is a mixture of entities including large corporate, owner managed businesses. Client size varies from corporates on 24-month runway towards audit to large international groups, including some listed clients. AFR projects include.

• The preparation of year-end statutory accounts;
• Pre-audit readiness reviews and support;
• Financial reporting advisory and consultancy projects;
• Ad-hoc secondment work to support gaps in client teams;
  
  
  

An Associate Director acts as the Accounting and Financial Reporting lead across portfolio of clients with responsibility for client service and quality of work. The Associate Director is expected to act as the key client contact and delegate work into the team. The portfolio will be tailored around the individual’s skill-set and interests. The role is a senior position within the leadership team, contributing to the smooth running of the department. A fundamental element of the role is the active coaching and development of the more junior members of the team,

A significant part of the role is contributing towards business development. An Associate Director will be given the time, coaching and support to grow the firm through identifying opportunities, introducing new clients and participating in broader multi-service line pitches.

The development of our people is a fundamental part of RSM. The opportunity for further progression within the firm exists if a successful candidate can demonstrate their talent, potential and a desire to participate in RSM’s leadership development programmes.

Responsibilities

• To lead the delivery of accounting and financial reporting services on a portfolio of clients. To work alongside other service lines such as Audit and Tax and report into the client relationship Partner on matters of additional advisory and client care. Expected to practice the principles of excellent client service at all times.
• To manage the working capital of the above projects including budgeting, cost management, billing and debt recoverability. To ensure resource is planned effectively and team members are briefed appropriately to deliver projects to clients inline with RSM’s quality guidelines and procedures.
• To act as a senior team-member and leader in the team. An Associate Director is a senior member of the management team and is expected to act as a role-model in their approach and actions for more junior managers.
• To actively coach and develop our team. This includes acting as a line manager, mentor and performing job appraisals.
• To actively participate in business development. The Partner and Director group will work with you to develop a coordinated business development plan. An Associate Director is expected to contribute to growing the department and the firm by participating in targeting and lead generation, supporting proposals to new clients and agreeing projects with the firm’s existing clients.
• To develop and maintain an advanced level of technical knowledge through appropriate reading and courses, and to fulfil the Institute’s CPD requirements.
• To oversee and review work completed by managers, supervisors and assistants. To ensure firm policy and procedures are followed.
• Maintain an awareness and observation of Health & Safety issues within the Firm and report any concerns to the Health and Safety Representative.
• Carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job, the title of the role and its grading, as requested by the Office Managing Partner.
  
  
  

Personal and professional qualities

The role requires:

• Candidates should be either ACA or ACCA qualified or equivalent. Candidates should have a minimum of three years of experience at a manager level.
• Experience of managing a portfolio of client work within professional practice. It is expected that candidates may be transitioning from an audit role, which has many complementary skills.
• A strong accounting and financial reporting skillset is fundamental. A specialism in one or more of the following areas are highly desirable:
• IFIFRS;
• Complex UK GAAP reporting including group reorganisations and consolidations;
• Sector specialism, for example Consumer Markets, Technology, Manufacturing, Property etc
• Excellent communication skills with proven experience of building lasting client relationships.
• An adaptable and collaborative team player able to work at all levels from trainee to Partner. Advanced coaching and development skills. Experience as a line manager.
• The ability and talent to make a positive contribution through business development. Candidates presenting themselves for interview are expected to discuss their initial thoughts about how they might approach this area in their role at RSM.
• Excellent proficiency in MS Office products including MS Word and MS Excel.
• Ability to deliver results autonomously – a “self-starter”
  
  

Diversity and Inclusion at RSM

At RSM, we want to create a strong sense of belonging so that people of all identities, backgrounds, and cultures feel they can bring their true self to work. Our clients come from all walks of life. We aim to achieve that same diversity of background, experience and perspective in our own teams, so that we can genuinely understand our client's needs. Diverse teams bring a broader range of ideas and insights to work. That's why we're working together to ensure our firm's principles and processes support a firm culture that embraces difference and strengthens inclusion.