Cloud Accounting Manager – London

We are seeking a Cloud Accounting Manager to working for our London office within the Cloud Accounting team.

This is a newly created team, designed to leas and define the firm’s cloud accounting strategy and provide support across the firm to partners and staff in the digitalization of clients accounting records and wider processes. This in turn is intended to support a move towards using cloud products to enhance our advisory services to clients and ensure we move forward as a progressive firm which meets and exceeds our clients’ expectations.

The role is permanent and would suit an experience, ACCA qualifies accountant, who is seeking to build on their digital and client management skills and apply these to a new challenge. It is intended that the role will have impact and influence in guiding the firm’s strategy, including the software providers we select and the roll out of these firmwide.

The role

The candidate would be responsible for a small team of cloud accountants in providing services across the firm.

The team would work closely with our existing Outsourcing teams. The role would include (but is not limited to) the following:

Client work

• Support partners to deliver cloud accounting services to their clients:
• Advise on cloud software tailored to clients’ needs
• Set up software and providing training as required
• Migrate data from old to new systems and ensuring all balances reconcile
• Liaise with partners and other managers regarding new systems and outsourcing / advisory opportunities
• Provide support on delivery of advisory service lines utilising cloud accounting software such as forecasting and cash flow modelling
• Oversee seamless handover to outsourcing teams where appropriate
• Provide quotes for new cloud accounting service packages and assist with billing as required
• Oversee the onboarding process for the firm’s clients affected by MTD ITSA

Training and development

• Research and review new software and apps on the market by attending conferences, roadshows, and other events, both online and in person
• Provide recommendations for the firm’s app stack, pilot and roll out new products
• Produce and deliver training and promotional content for both internal and external audiences
• Review existing systems being used across firm to ensure these are fit for purpose and are being used at full efficiency
• Provide feedback to partners and managers regarding effectiveness of systems and procedures with suggestions for improvements where applicable
• Liaise with the firm’s network of cloud champions and ambassadors to deepen awareness of cloud products and services
• Manage cloud software supplier relationships

Supervision of staff and staff development

• Provide training to team members for new products, ensuring they are able to support the roll out of these firmwide
• Conduct regular review meetings with staff to appraise their performance and development requirements, and provide feedback
• Give feedback to other managers regarding staff matters
• Delegate work to team members, ensuring this is done appropriately
• Supervise work being undertaken by team members
• Involvement in recruitment of staff

The candidate would be managing a team, typically consisting of a semi-senior and a junior both of whom you will be responsible for bringing onboard yourself.

The role report into the Outsourcing and Accounts Director.

You

The candidate will have detailed understanding of cloud accounting systems, including Xero, QuickBooks Online and Sage 50cloud, alongside thorough knowledge of apps such as Hubdoc, Dext and Futrli. A good knowledge of Excel will also be essential. The candidate would need to demonstrate strong numeracy and accuracy skills, along with the ability to learn quickly.

The ideal candidate should be hard working, show initiative and be self-motivated, with the ability to organise their own workload and that of team members. They should also demonstrate the ability to cope with a number of competing deadlines. They will display a flexible, professional approach and have the confidence and ability to communicate effectively with other managers, partners, and clients. They will also be a natural team player with a positive and enthusiastic attitude and excellent eye for detail. This role will require the candidate to travel to different Saffery offices as well as client premises and a regular basis and so the successful candidate will be comfortable to travel when needed.

The candidate should be qualified to an ACCA/ACA level. We expect that the candidate will have a significant experience within a similar role. They should have experience of working within a team and supervising junior staff and delegating work to them.

Salary/benefits

• A 35-hour working week with flexibility around the core hours of 10am-4pm
• Agile working policy giving you the option to work from home for up to 3 days per week.
• 25 days annual leave. After 5 years’ service, the entitlement will be increased by 1 day.
• In addition, employees are entitled to buy or sell up to 5 days holiday a year
• Eligibility for the discretionary bonus scheme. This is based on both individual performance and firm performance.
• Contributory pension scheme (The firm will contribute 5% of salary on a matched basis with employee from their date of joining)
• Life assurance cover of 4 x annual salary,
• Working from home allowance of £25 a month.
• Company car as per Managers’ Car Scheme. May opt for a company car to the value to £15,100 by sacrificing £3,611 per annum of salary. (Pro-rata for lower vehicle cost).
• Eligibility for the firm’s Profit-Sharing Plan that runs from October to September each year. The scheme enables staff to share in the profits of the firm. Payment is usually c£1,000. Paid in December.
• Employee referral scheme. Assistant Manager level and below, including support staff, will attract a referral reward of £5,000, Manager level or above, will attract a referral reward of £10,000.
• New client referral scheme. Members of staff introducing a new client to the firm, have the potential to receive a referral payment of up to 10% of the first year’s total fees.
• Eligibility for the discretionary bonus scheme. This is based on both individual performance and firm performance.
• Private Medical – entitled to join on successful completion of probationary period
• Access to a number of additional benefits with preferential rates under the flexible benefit programme, health cash plans, health screening/GP support, critical illness cover, dental and travel insurance, Techscheme, Cyclescheme, Gymflex and a Workplace ISA.
• Paid travel expenses when working at offices other than your contracted office.
• Saffery Champness is committed to being a fully inclusive employer and have a huge focus on ED&I. Upon joining the firm, you will have the opportunity to join a number of people network groups as well as be a part of the growing ED&I network.