Business Services Manager

There is a great deal to recommend this Business Services Manager opportunity with a leading firm of Chartered Accountants in Exeter, from the quality and variety of the client base through to the strength of the team and the firm’s well-earned reputation across the South West, and we are pleased to be supporting them in finding the right individual for a role that offers real management responsibility and genuine long-term career potential, with flexible working, a company pension, and much more on offer. Crowe Watson Recruitment has spent years building a strong and trusted presence across the South West accountancy market, and Exeter is a city the team knows particularly well. Every search is approached with the same level of rigour and personal attention, with a genuine effort made to understand not just the technical fit but the cultural and longer term fit as well, and that thoroughness is something both candidates and clients consistently value when working with Crowe Watson on appointments of this nature. As Business Services Manager, you will take real ownership of a varied and interesting client portfolio, overseeing the delivery of accounts and wider business services to a broad range of clients whilst leading and developing a talented team of professionals around you. Exeter’s commercial community is growing quickly and attracting an increasingly diverse range of businesses, and the firm’s client base reflects that well, providing a genuinely stimulating environment in which an experienced manager can do their best work and build towards a senior leadership role within a well-structured and forward-thinking practice. For someone who combines strong technical ability with confident client management skills and a genuine desire to lead and inspire a team, this is a role that has a great deal to offer. You might not meet all the criteria, but if you are passionate about developing yourself and your career, we’d love to hear from you. Crowe Watson is acting as an Employment Agency. References to pay rates are indicative and salary is dependent on experience. Please note that Crowe Watson Recruitment is unable to assist with sponsorship applications; all candidates must have the right to work in the UK without restriction. Key Responsibilities • Managing a varied portfolio of clients, overseeing the delivery of accounts and business advisory services • Reviewing work prepared by junior and semi-senior staff, ensuring quality and accuracy throughout • Acting as a trusted point of contact for clients, building and maintaining strong long-term relationships • Supporting partners on complex assignments and contributing to strategic client planning • Leading, mentoring, and developing members of the business services team • Contributing to business development activity and identifying opportunities to grow the firm's client base Requirements • ACA or ACCA qualified with a strong background in business services gained within practice • At least five years' experience working within a UK Practice environment • Proven experience managing a portfolio of clients and leading a team in a practice setting • Strong technical knowledge of UK accounting standards, corporation tax, and financial reporting • Excellent leadership and communication skills with a confident and professional client-facing manner • Commercially astute with a proactive approach and a genuine ambition to contribute to the firm's continued success