BUSINESS SERVICES MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION

Accounting practice firms operate under the dual pressure of regulatory compliance and client portfolio growth; when neither receives disciplined oversight, advisory relationships erode and VAT or PAYE exposures go unmanaged. The Business Services Manager is the answer to that problem: a qualified practitioner who owns a portfolio spanning sole traders, limited companies, LLPs, and trusts while simultaneously leading the staff responsible for delivering that work. This role requires hands-on technical depth in areas such as ACCA/ACA/CPA-level reporting and insolvency-adjacent restructuring advisory. Results show in retention numbers and audit-ready accounts.

Business Services Managers in professional services/accounting and advisory are accountable for the delivery of compliant, client-ready accounting and advisory services across a managed portfolio, while maintaining the technical standards and team development that sustain practice growth. They operate within a department structure, supervising staff directly, and carry responsibility for the financial and regulatory accuracy of output delivered to a diverse client base that typically includes SMEs, high-net-worth individuals, and trusts.

Career Impact: Ownership of a fee-generating portfolio of SME, HNWI, and trust clients gives you the kind of advisory breadth, from restructuring analysis to VAT compliance, that moves a qualified accountant into senior practice leadership.

Business Impact: Clients depend on this role to keep management accounts accurate, VAT and PAYE submissions defensible, and business plans financially sound; gaps in oversight translate directly into regulatory exposure for real businesses.

Growth Opportunity: The path from Business Services Manager typically leads to Senior Manager or Director within a practice, and the cross-sector exposure, from sole traders through charities and corporate restructuring, accelerates the commercial judgment that makes that step possible.

• Review management accounts, annual accounts, and VAT returns for a diverse client portfolio spanning sole traders, partnerships, companies, and trusts.
• Advise clients on VAT, PAYE, and tax-effective strategies, translating compliance obligations into actionable recommendations.
• Lead staff within the department through day-to-day direction, bi-annual appraisals, and structured technical development programs.
• Prepare and review business plans, budgets, and cash flow forecasts for SME and start-up clients requiring financial planning support.
• Manage client relationships on an ongoing basis, handling general business advisory queries and escalations with appropriate professional judgment.
• Conduct financial analysis of client forecasts and business plans to identify performance improvement opportunities and restructuring options.
• Support business development activities by identifying opportunities within existing client relationships and contributing to proposals for new engagements.
• Implement and review accounting and computerized financial systems on behalf of clients transitioning to new platforms or structures.

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related discipline, or equivalent work experience.
• 5 or more years of experience in an accounting or professional services practice environment, with demonstrated client portfolio responsibility.
• Professional accounting qualification (ACCA, ACA, CIMA, CA, or CPA) completed or substantially progressed.
• Proven ability to review and sign off on VAT returns, management accounts, and annual statutory accounts across multiple entity types.
• Experience supervising and developing junior staff, including performance management and technical coaching.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present financial information clearly to non-specialist clients.
• Demonstrated competency in financial analysis, including variance analysis, cash flow modeling, and budget preparation.

• Experience with business restructuring, turnaround analysis, or insolvency-adjacent advisory engagements.
• Background advising high-net-worth individuals, trusts, or superannuation/pension fund structures on compliance and tax planning matters.
• Experience contributing to business development activity, including proposal writing and client presentations at Director or Head-of-level.
• Familiarity with accounting workflow systems and document management platforms used in multi-client practice environments.

• Client portfolio retention rate, reflecting the proportion of fee relationships renewed year over year.
• VAT and PAYE submission accuracy rate, measured by the volume of filed returns requiring post-submission amendment.
• Staff appraisal completion rate, tracking whether structured development reviews are delivered on schedule for all direct reports.
• Accounts turnaround time, measuring average days from client data receipt to reviewed and issued financial statements.
• Business development contribution, tracked as the number of proposals prepared or new engagements converted per quarter.
• Typical tools: accounting and compliance platforms (commonly cloud-based bookkeeping and tax filing systems); financial modeling (commonly spreadsheet tools for forecasting and variance analysis).

• Base Salary Range: $85,000 to $115,000 annually, depending on portfolio size and seniority
• Bonus: Discretionary performance bonus, typically 5% to 15% of base
• Equity: Not commonly offered at this level in accounting practice firms
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer contribution varies by firm size
• PTO: 15 to 20 days annually, plus public holidays; larger firms often offer additional study leave
• Common Perks: CPA/ACCA exam support, CPE reimbursement, hybrid work arrangements, professional association membership

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Work authorization in the United States is required as a condition of employment. All candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process. Employment offers are contingent on the satisfactory completion of a background check, which may include verification of professional credentials.

The Business Services Manager delivers technical service excellence across a global customer portfolio, overseeing SAP Basis operations, contract renewals, and multi-account performance tracking. Reporting to upper-line organisational management, this role collaborates with internal teams and enterprise cloud consumers to drive continuous improvement, onboard new hires, and enable measurable, customer-facing outcomes at the CIO and CXO level.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee technical delivery and customer engagement, including contract renewals.
• Coordinate, drive, track, and report on progress across multiple customer accounts.
• Ensure the best possible customer experience across all service interactions.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams and enterprise cloud service consumers.
• Contribute to planning and execution maturity and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support the onboarding of new hires with appropriate knowledge in SAP Basis, database administration, and hyperscaler technologies.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and team member growth.
• Monitor individual performance and development goals through close follow-up.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 12 years of experience in SAP Technical Administration, with a preference for SAP Basis expertise.
• Background in IT infrastructure and hyperscaler operations.
• Experience in customer-facing engagements at CIO, CXO, or CDO level.
• Experience reporting to upper-line organisational management.
• Demonstrated knowledge of SAP solution administration and operations.
• Strong people orientation, team focus, and communication skills.
• Customer orientation with a high standard of work and a focus on measurable, deliverable-oriented results.
• Ability to work effectively in a globally distributed organisation and engage with people of diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Fluency in business English.

Embedded within a professional services department, the Business Services Manager leads a qualified team delivering financial reporting, client advisory, and compliance services for UK and multinational companies and groups. Working closely with departmental staff and external clients, this role shapes the quality of management accounts, VAT and PAYE guidance, and accounting systems implementation to support business success across a broad client portfolio.

Core Functions

• Review management accounts for UK and multinational companies and groups prepared by departmental staff.
• Advise on VAT and PAYE matters, including the review of quarterly VAT returns, EC sales lists, and Intrastats.
• Correspond with clients on general business advice across a wide range of subjects.
• Assist start-ups across all aspects of financial support.
• Implement accounting and computerised financial systems.
• Review annual accounts for sole traders, partnerships, companies, LLPs, and charities prepared in-house.
• Prepare business plans, budgets, and cash flow forecasts.
• Review and report on financial information systems.
• Manage staff on a day-to-day basis, including conducting bi-annual appraisals.

Qualifications & Experience

• ACCA, ACA, or CIMA qualified.
• Experience managing a portfolio of clients.
• Excellent IT skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to delegate and manage staff.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

Reporting to the Chief Sales Officer, the Business Services Manager leads a team of Sales Engineers and Technical Account Managers who implement integration solutions and drive success for the company's most valued ecommerce shipping customers. Partnering with product management, engineering, field sales, and carrier partners, this role builds the operational processes, technical knowledge, and customer workflows that enable scalable shipping technology adoption across key accounts.

Primary Duties

• Manage day-to-day Business Services operations, including procedures and policies for implementations, issue escalation, and technical account management.
• Provide superior technical support to internal and external stakeholders.
• Serve as Subject Matter Expert in e-commerce, shipping carriers, and warehouse and inventory management systems, and provide technical consultation and knowledge transfer across technical support, product management, engineering, and cross-functional teams.
• Analyse technical and process-related problems and guide the team and cross-functional teams through abstract problem-solving.
• Maintain extensive knowledge of complex aspects of products and systems, and present or demonstrate solutions remotely or at client sites.
• Plan, organise, schedule, and supervise day-to-day operations, encompassing troubleshooting, service issues, escalations, and customer and partner onboarding.
• Manage the implementation process, provide weekly reporting, and develop reporting requirements for business and engineering audiences.
• Develop internal tools and processes to improve efficiency, add value to key clients, and support the sales team.
• Monitor and maintain customer satisfaction and SLAs, and provide data analysis for key accounts.
• Serve as liaison for urgent issues during and after business hours, respond to customer and partner issues in a timely and professional manner, and act as a technical resource for larger customers and partners.

Skills & Qualifications

• BA or BS in MIS, CIS, engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum five years of experience implementing software integration solutions or working in technical sales or service roles, and two or more years of experience managing others.
• Experience driving process improvements and problem-solving for customers and partners.
• Experience working with web services, XML, ODBC, and basic database queries, including manipulation of data in common formats such as XML, CSV, and tab-delimited files.
• Experience with programming and building solutions, as well as e-commerce, warehouse, or transportation management, is an advantage.
• Proficiency in a range of operating systems, primarily Microsoft and Macintosh.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel, including macros and advanced functions.
• Working knowledge of Salesforce.com or an equivalent CRM tool.
• Advanced knowledge of networking, printer drivers, proxies, and firewalls.
• Strong ability to lead technical and service teams and pre-sales discussions, set expectations, overcome technical objections, and meet deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, presentation, and conflict management skills, with strong ability to communicate with C-level executives and operational personnel.

Sitting at the intersection of corporate sustainability consulting and low-carbon business development, the Business Services Manager leads client-facing work across South East Asia, building a pipeline of contracted sales and delivering the full range of the Carbon Trust's energy and climate services to private sector businesses. Operating across consortium partners including EY and the FCO, as well as internal marketing and communications teams, this role shapes market development strategy and supports companies in achieving measurable energy efficiency outcomes.

Duties

• Develop and deliver a pipeline of prospects, opportunities, and contracted sales to achieve agreed revenue targets across the region.
• Write high-quality proposals that reflect the needs of prospective clients and clearly describe the methodology and credentials on offer.
• Design, agree on, and execute market development strategies, working closely with the marketing and communications team.
• Ensure integrated sales, marketing, and PR activities, including attending and presenting at events, contributing to marketing campaigns, and quality-assuring content translations.
• Act as an ambassador and spokesperson for the organisation.
• Develop and maintain long-term client relationships with energy-intensive private sector businesses across South East Asia.
• Support companies in improving energy management within their operations, including capacity building and the development of training materials.
• Assist companies to set public energy efficiency targets and develop the business case for specific energy efficiency projects.
• Identify partners and secure financing for pilot energy efficiency projects, including developing project concepts, business cases, bankable proposals, and project finance, verifying energy savings, and disseminating project lessons.

Experience & Qualifications

• Degree in a numerate discipline such as engineering or economics, or equivalent.
• Extensive experience in a relevant role for a corporate or as a sustainability consultant working across energy, climate change, or resource management sectors.
• Experience selling assurance and technical consulting services at key global and national account level.
• Demonstrated knowledge of energy efficiency and energy management is desirable.
• Demonstrable track record of sales delivery and growth in early-stage and technical B2B markets.
• Exceptional relationship-building, influencing, and presentation skills, with credibility in managing senior corporate relationships at Head of and Director level.
• Strong skills in strategic and tactical proposal development and presentation for business projects.
• Ability to grasp and apply technical information across a broad spectrum of markets, industries, and organisations.
• Ability to develop business with multiple customers at various stages of commitment concurrently while working independently within a matrix management structure with minimal administrative support.

A key member of the Complex management structure, the Business Services Manager oversees daily branch operations, including staff supervision, compliance, expense management, and client service resolution within a financial services complex. Collaborating across complex risk officers, human resources, and various firm departments, this role delivers the operational infrastructure and policy adherence that enables financial advisors and support teams to serve clients effectively.

Accountabilities

• Supervise support staff, including managing their training and development.
• Manage expenses, including budget tracking, headcount ratios, travel and expense reports, and other programmes with a focus on adherence to firm policies.
• Manage and promote firm initiatives, projects, and remediations.
• Collaborate with the team on the new hire process and training orientation, including coordinating operational and client service support for newly recruited financial advisors and their support staff.
• Partner with complex risk officers on branch exams and corrective action plan implementation.
• Manage service transaction approvals, including escalations from the service review unit, branch workflow, and branch transfer portal.
• Act as liaison between the complex and various departments within the firm as necessary.
• Manage day-to-day resolution of client service inquiries and concerns.
• Conduct regular support staff meetings to communicate policies and procedures, share best practices, and promote teamwork.
• Work with human resources on employee-related issues.
• Ensure compliance with firm policies and procedures from an operations and service perspective, including labour and wage laws, FMLA, STD, LTD, and OSHA requirements.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree required, or equivalent education or experience.
• Active Series 7, Series 8 (or Series 9 and 10), and Series 63 and 65 (or Series 66) licences.
• Evidence of strong leadership capabilities or previous supervisory experience.
• Strong attention to detail with effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritise and resolve complex problems and escalate as necessary.
• Ability to identify issues and trends to anticipate change and provide comprehensive solutions.
• Exceptional organisational and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to manage relationships, motivate, and lead groups of people at various levels.

Operational efficiency and stakeholder confidence at Harrison.ai depend on the Business Services Manager, who owns the planning, direction, and coordination of administrative, financial, and operational procedures across both entities of the organisation. Based within an agile, high-growth medical technology environment and reporting to senior management, this role shapes process improvement, strategic planning support, and go-to-market logistics to sustain the organisation's standard of excellence.

Key Deliverables

• Collaborate closely with the executive team to deliver excellent operational service in an agile and timely manner.
• Drive continuous business improvement by removing obstacles, identifying areas of improvement, and developing processes to enhance delivery.
• Provide high-level administrative, strategic planning, and operational support, as well as research and advice to senior management on matters including staff management, financial planning, and facility management.
• Develop and implement administrative and operational procedural statements and guidelines for use by staff.
• Provide logistical support for sales, marketing, and go-to-market activities.
• Provide PR support, including website and social media platform management.
• Analyse complex resource management issues and initiatives, and prepare associated reports and correspondence.

Background & Experience

• At least five years of experience providing high-level administrative, strategic planning, and operational support across areas including staff management, facility management, and complex resource management, including developing and implementing administrative and operational procedural statements and guidelines.
• Advanced experience using the full Microsoft suite and the Atlassian stack.
• Experience working with medical professionals is an advantage.
• Previous experience in a start-up or high-growth environment is desirable.
• Senior stakeholder management experience with a proven track record of managing relationships effectively to meet business needs.
• Detail-oriented self-starter with close attention to detail, the ability to suggest improvements, and strong organisation and time management skills suited to a fast-paced, agile, and collaborative environment.

As the Business Services Manager at PwC, this role leads complex financial analysis of client forecasts and business plans, project-manages solutions across advisory and insolvency appointments, and drives business development activities within the Midlands mid-market restructuring practice. The Business Restructuring Services team relies on this work to deliver well-rounded client outcomes, develop junior staff capabilities, and sustain the firm's competitive positioning across diverse industries and restructuring situations.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct critical financial analysis of client forecasts and business plans to underpin improvements in forecast performance.
• Assess and develop options based on financial analysis, and project-manage these to deliver solutions for clients.
• Engage in complex stakeholder discussions and negotiations to support client strategic objectives.
• Produce reports and presentations for a range of clients and stakeholders across both advisory and executory appointments, including insolvency.
• Participate actively in business development activities to identify and research opportunities with new and existing clients, and network with potential clients, lawyers, and lenders.
• Contribute to the development of technical acumen within the team.
• Develop strategies to solve complex technical challenges in innovative ways, bringing new technology to client situations.
• Assist in the management and delivery of larger projects in complex and bespoke client situations, working cross-functionally with other teams.
• Train, coach, and supervise staff.
• Keep up to date with local and national business and economic issues, and develop an interest in specific industries or sectors.
• Develop internal relationships and build a strong professional profile.

Qualifications & Experience

• Sound financial analytical skills, including advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Strong commercial awareness in restructuring and insolvency, and a genuine interest in how businesses operate.
• Proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint, with knowledge of SmartArt preferred but not essential.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, with comfort engaging at all levels.
• Proven project and time management skills.
• Flexibility across diverse industries, roles, and working locations.
• Willingness to participate in marketing and business development activities.