Senior Accountant / Payroll Senior – Accountancy Practice Stoke-on-Trent Up to £35,000

You might not call yourself a “Senior Accountant”.

You might just be the person everyone goes to when something needs sorting.

Payroll queries… CIS deadlines… a client who needs help… accounts that need finishing… supporting juniors… fixing things when others are stuck.

Over time you’ve become one of the most relied-upon people in the firm — but your job title and pay haven’t really caught up with the responsibility.

That’s exactly who this role is for.

I’m working with a long-established local practice looking for a hands-on senior to join their team following a planned team change. The key difference here is they’re hiring early to allow a proper handover, not rushing someone into the deep end.

The role

This is a genuinely varied position where you’ll be trusted from day one:

• Running payroll (around 70–75% of the role) • CIS returns and pension submissions • VAT returns • Preparing accounts for sole traders & limited companies • Supporting client queries directly • Becoming a key contact for long-standing local businesses

There are no corporate clients and no production-line work. Most clients have worked with the firm for years and still value speaking to the same person.

The environment

Although part of a wider group, the office operates like a small independent practice, stable team, supportive management and people who tend to stay long-term.

You won’t be micromanaged, but you will be trusted.

They understand life exists outside work. Once settled in, there is flexibility around hours and working patterns when needed - this is a team that plans around people, not just timesheets.

What they’re looking for

• Practice experience at Semi-Senior/Senior level • Strong SAGE payroll knowledge (important) • CIS and pensions experience • Someone dependable who enjoys variety and client contact

You don’t need to be qualified — QBE is absolutely fine. Industry backgrounds won’t suit; this role is very much practice-based.

This isn’t a high-pressure environment or a stepping-stone role. It’s somewhere you can become an important part of the team and stay long-term.

If you’d like to quietly understand more before deciding whether it’s right for you, I’m happy to have a confidential chat