Why choose MHA Moore and Smalley? – MHA Moore and Smalley is part of the 14th largest accountancy network in the UK and a leading independent provider of accounting, business advisory and wealth management services with offices across the Northwest.

In addition, MHA is a member of the ninth largest global accounting network Bakertilly International – with offices in 145 territories across the globe.

Working for MHA Moore and Smalley is anything but predictable, with no two days ever the same. We work with a wide range of clients from start-ups to multinational groups and household brands.

We have a clear commitment to do everything within our power to become a net zero organisation by 2030 and to build a positive climate balanced contribution thereafter.

We are also Investors in People and truly value that our employees are our greatest asset.

Some of the benefits available to our staff include:

• Clear career opportunities and progression paths
• Pay progression linked to role development.
• A proactive, supportive approach and an excellent reputation for encouraging development and training opportunities for staff at every stage of their career.
• Agile working is at our core, including flexible working patterns and hybrid working.
• Investors in People accredited.
• A variety of rewards and benefits including pension scheme, life assurance, flexible benefits (such as options to buy/sell annual leave, cycle to work scheme and private medical cover)
• Health and wellbeing is a priority across the network
• Great social life and involvement in community and charitable initiatives

 The Role

Key responsibilities:

Management of Clients

·          To look after a range of clients, preparing assignments for partner/director review (accounts, tax, briefing notes etc).

·          To co-ordinate compliance service delivery to clients and ensure that information is collected in the most efficient manner, timetabling work wherever possible to suit the needs of the client.

·          To ensure that compliance deadlines are met and to liaise with tax staff to ensure work is appropriately planned.

·          To ensure that jobs are adequately resourced, giving due regard to staff continuity where possible.

·          To identify opportunities for providing other relevant services.

·          To highlight issues which the partner needs to discuss with the client.

·          To consult with partner/director on contentious issues

·          To plan the approach to assignments following partner briefing, having agreed fee budget and completion deadline with partner.

·          To collate raw data for projects and summarise into a format suitable for review and amendment e.g. first draft projections, first draft reports.

·          To maintain accurate and up to date client records on CCH.

·          To produce file notes of any client meetings attended and circulate as appropriate to other service team members.

·          To maintain regular contact with client and client service team.

·          To report any client dissatisfaction immediately via the complaints database.

·          To look for opportunities to mitigate tax liabilities

·          To ensure clients receive notice of future tax liabilities in a timely fashion

Management of Work Flow

·          To plan own time and that of others to maximise staff utilisation and deliver a timely and efficient service to clients.

·          To work flexibly, where required to accommodate the needs of the whole department

·          To arrange pre-completion meetings with partners/directors and completion meetings with clients on a timely basis.

·          To review work in progress, debtors and fee budgets on a monthly basis, reporting any variances from target to the relevant partner/director/senior manager.

·          To identify any underutilisation of staff to the relevant person.

·          To flag up potential bottle necks in good time to the relevant person.

·          Assists in managing the workflow of the department.

Management of Team Members

·          To give clear and unambiguous instructions to staff on assignments.

·          To provide feedback to staff at the end of assignments, using the appropriate documentation.

·          To encourage all team members to make useful contributions.

·          To identify when staff members need support, and provide it, referring issues where appropriate to the relevant director/partner.

·          To ensure staff feel supported, valued and appreciated.

·          Line manager responsibility. Ability to use coaching

Communication

·          To communicate the firm’s values and objectives both externally and internally in a positive and motivational manner.

·          To ensure partners/director/senior manager is fully briefed well in advance of key meetings and presentations.

·          To liaise with staff in other departments where applicable to provide holistic solutions-based client service.

·          Contributes as a team player.

·          Builds relationships with intermediaries and looks for business development opportunities.

Self-Management

·          To take an active role in own personal development.

·          To manage personal time and working practices to maximise profitability and protect the good reputation of the firm.

·          To maintain the highest standards of personal organisation, setting an example to more junior members of staff.  

Key performance indicators

·          Annual chargeable hours target.

·          Annual budgeted and unbudgeted fee target.

·          Maintenance of work in progress and debtor levels.

·          Achievement of quarterly job completion deadlines and monitoring of budget vs actual performance.

·          All compliance deadlines are met.

·          Continuous review and improvement of service provision.

·          Referral targets.

·          Retention of motivated staff.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications required

Essential Skills:

·          Up to date technical knowledge of Auditing and Financial Reporting Standards.

·          Is technically competent and compliant and gives due consideration to risk.

·          Awareness of departmental objectives and key performance indicators.

·          Good knowledge of the firm’s services and product offering.

·          Knowledge of student competencies framework and CPD programme.

·          Builds effective relationships internally across departments and externally.

·          Demonstrates attention to detail.

·          Appropriate computer software skills.

·          Appropriate written and oral communication skills both internally and externally.

·          Is able to produce realistic projections and comment on draft projections versus historic accounts.

·          Works as a team and considers the needs of the whole department.

·          Is a positive influence within the team and deals with problems/issues constructively.

·          Asks for feedback on own performance and seeks out opportunities for development.

·          Develops others via motivational feedback.

·          Plans to makes effective use of time and consistently meets deadlines.

·          Generates ideas for clients and for the firm.

·          Sets SMART objectives.

·          Able to research and present findings.  

Qualifications: ACA/ACCA Qualified or qualified by experience.