Management Accountant

Job Description and Specification

Management Accountant

Location:
 Boyd Rice Solicitors, 6 Mill Street, Newtownards, BT23 4LU

Reporting to:
 Company Directors

Team:
 Accounts Department

Salary:
 Competitive, commensurate with experience

About Us:

Boyd Rice Solicitors is a progressive law firm with offices in Newtownards, Bangor and Belfast. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment where every team member is valued and empowered to achieve their best.

Context

Boyd Rice Solicitors is a growing professional services firm with an expanding team and evolving operational needs. Our accounts department currently includes a part-time bookkeeper, two full-time accounts technicians, and a full-time data entry clerk.

As our business continues to develop, we are committed to strengthening our financial management and ensuring our systems and processes are future-ready. Recent changes in team structure, increased business activity, and the upcoming implementation of the Proclaim accounts system have created exciting opportunities to enhance our financial operations, reporting capabilities, and team development.

We are now seeking a qualified and experienced accountant to join our accounts department and contribute to our leadership team. This role will be key in driving improvements and supporting our growth ambitions.

Purpose of the Role

The Management Accountant will play a key role in supporting and developing our accounts department. This is a hands-on, collaborative position focused on establishing robust financial processes, improving management reporting, and building team capability. The successful candidate will work closely with colleagues at all levels, providing guidance, training, and support.

Key Deliverables

We aim to achieve:

• Robust Financial Processes:
   Implementation and documentation of efficient, reliable accounting procedures, including monthly management accounts, VAT returns, and reconciliations.
• Enhanced Reporting:
   Delivery of clear, timely management information to support business decision-making.
• Team Development:
   Training and mentoring of accounts department colleagues, with a focus on building confidence and capability across all core tasks.
• System Implementation:
   Oversight and support for the successful bedding-in of the Proclaim accounts system, ensuring alignment with new processes.
• Resource & Skills Assessment:
   Completion of a skills matrix and gap analysis, with recommendations for future resource needs and team structure.
• Continuous Improvement:
   Identification of opportunities for ongoing process improvement and best practice adoption.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and deliver monthly management accounts and financial statements.
• Ensure accurate and timely submission of quarterly VAT returns.
• Develop and document streamlined financial processes and controls.
• Analyse financial data to identify trends and support business decisions.
• Coordinate and support the accounts team, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment.
• Oversee the implementation of the Proclaim accounts system within the department.
• Provide training and mentoring to team members, supporting their professional development.
• Assess current resource requirements and produce a skills matrix with gap analysis.
• Make recommendations for future team structure and capability.
• Support preparation for audits and liaise with internal/external auditors as required.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent).
• Minimum 5 years' experience in a similar role, ideally in a leadership role within a legal or professional services environment.
• Proven experience in preparing accounts from trial balance through to balance sheet.
• Demonstrable experience of submitting quarterly VAT returns.
• Experience of coordinating or managing a busy accounts department or team of at least 3 people.
• Advanced analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Proficiency in accounting software (e.g., Sage, Xero, QuickBooks).
• Experience in process improvement and change management.

Desirable:

• Experience in a law firm or with solicitor audit.
• Proven track record of leading transformation projects, managing change, or conducting departmental reviews and making recommendations for improvement.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Commitment to continuous professional development.

Why Join Us?

• Innovative Environment: Work in a forward-thinking company that values creativity and innovation.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for growth and advancement within the company.
• Collaborative Culture: Join a supportive team that values collaboration and mutual respect.
• Competitive Benefits: Health insurance, over average annual leave and other benefits.

Working Arrangements

• Competitive salary, commensurate with experience.
• Flexible working arrangements, we will consider full time candidates or at a minimum, candidates who can commit to 3.5 days per week.
• Flexible working arrangements (hybrid available however given the leadership nature of the role the vast majority of the contracted hours will need to be spent on site in our Newtownards Office.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and a cover letter detailing their relevant experience and why they are a good fit for this position to – please include 
'Management Accountant – Application'
 in the subject line.

Boyd Rice Solicitors is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

We look forward to receiving your application and exploring the possibility of you joining our dynamic team