Business Solutions Manager

Overview of Firm PKF Littlejohn is one of the leading challenger firms in the UK with offices in London, Leeds and Manchester. We are also an active member of PKF Global, an international network of legally independent accounting firms that gives us an on the ground presence in 150 countries around the world with access to more than 20,000 people across 440 offices globally.

We provide a full range of audit, accountancy, tax and advisory services, and are experts at simplifying complexity. We are particularly well-known for working with complex clients with challenging issues in fast-moving and highly technical areas, such as the insurance industry, the global capital markets and the not for profit sector. Our aim is to understand people, the organisations they run, and what matters to them, so we can simplify complexity and help them achieve their ambitions.

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Introduction to the Division The Business Solutions team provides a range of accounting, advisory and compliance services. We will support businesses with their day to day finance functions and provide a scalable and flexible solutions to fit their needs, create clarity in complex situations and continue to adapt so that we can progress with them.

We provide as much or as little as the client requires to complement or run a fully outsourced solution and are guided on the level of service support required.

The majority of our solutions are cloud-based, enabling real time information and allowing our clients to have remote access and visibility of data. Our team recognises the importance of careful coordination to ensure an efficient, quality service.

The team works with a variety of clients across many sectors with varying regulatory and reporting requirements, and we have specialist knowledge of a range of industries – from financial services, renewable energy, technology, professional practices and hospitality.

You'll gain a deeper insight into the businesses we work for, and as your experience grows, so will your opportunities.

Responsibilities This is a key Manager role within a growing division, responsible for managing a portfolio of clients, leading delivery, supporting team development, and contributing to business growth. The role requires a strong balance of technical expertise, commercial awareness, and leadership capability.

Portfolio Management

• Manage a portfolio of clients, ensuring deadlines, quality standards, and budgets are met
• Review management accounts, VAT returns, and statutory financial statements
• Act as primary client contact, addressing queries and delivering insights
• Lead client onboarding, including setting up or migrating accounting systems, advising on appropriate solutions, and ensuring a smooth transition

Technical Delivery

• Apply strong UK GAAP and IFRS knowledge to review and resolve complex issues
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of accounting, VAT and compliance developments
• Review consolidations, cashflows, and ad hoc reporting (cash-flow, budgeting, forecasting, KPI’s, group reporting etc)
• Deliver and oversee ad hoc client projects (e.g. process improvements, clean-ups, system implementations, secondments), ensuring high-quality output and commercial delivery

Client Relationships

• Build strong, trusted relationships with clients
• Lead meetings and provide clear, commercially focused advice
• Identify opportunities to enhance service delivery and add value
• Coordinate effectively with internal teams (e.g. Audit, Tax, VAT, Payroll) to deliver a seamless and joined-up service to clients

Team Leadership

• Manage, coach, and develop junior team members
• Allocate and review work effectively across the team
• Foster a collaborative and high-performing team culture
• Lead the appraisal process, including setting objectives, delivering performance reviews, and supporting ongoing development and progression of team members

Operational Management

• Manage multiple priorities and changing demands effectively
• Oversee WIP, billing, and portfolio profitability
• Proactively identify out-of-scope work and scope changes, ensuring timely agreement of additional fees
• Contribute to wider team initiatives and ad hoc projects (e.g. process improvements, system implementations, internal change programmes)
• Ensure compliance requirements are met across the portfolio, including oversight of KYC processes and periodic reviews

Business Development

• Support and lead business development activities
• Attend pitch meetings and contribute to proposals
• Scope work, prepare fee quotes, and onboard new clients efficiently
• Support targeted BD campaigns to drive growth

Person Specification Qualifications & Experience

• ACA/ACCA qualified (or equivalent), with post-qualified experience
• Proven Manager-level experience within practice
• Experience of financial services clients and FCA reporting is desirable (e.g. Insurance brokers/intermediaries and Wealth and Asset Management)
• Experience with BI/dashboarding, data analytics, AI/automation is desirable

Skills & Attributes

• Strong technical accounting knowledge (UK GAAP and IFRS)
• Highly organised with ability to manage multiple priorities
• Strong commercial awareness and problem-solving skills
• Confident communicator with strong client-facing skills
• Proactive and able to take ownership of decisions
• Collaborative leader who supports and motivates team

Systems & Software

• Strong experience with cloud accounting tools (e.g. Xero, Quickbooks, Sage)
• Experience with larger accounting systems (e.g. Iplicit, Microsoft Dynamics, Netsuite) is desirable
• Broad exposure to systems such as CaseWare cloud, and apps such as Dext