Associate Director - Accounts

Affinia is a UK Top 35 Accounting firm, where we support our clients with everything from day-to-day Accounting, Audit and Tax planning, to strategic business advice, compliance and specialist services such as Cloud Accounting, Payroll and Mergers & Acquisitions across a wide range of sectors. We are committed to delivering excellence in every aspect of our work, adapting to the evolving regulatory landscape while consistently exceeding client expectations.

We focus on building authentic connections, collaboration and growth, both with our clients and colleagues with over 300 years’ experience, bringing together financial experts from across London, East Anglia & Southeast England. We have more than 500 accountancy professionals across our 15 offices and 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.

We can offer flexible and hybrid working and provide access to training providers such as Croner-i, Tolley’s, Mercia and Linked In Learning to meet the needs of our people from both a hard and soft skills perspective. We also work with an Apprenticeship provider to offer the combination of paid work and access to professional qualifications.

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 Linked In 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.

• 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.

• 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 time frames.
• Contribute to fee discussions, service scoping, and pricing strategy in collaboration with Directors and Partners.

• 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,…