Head of Client Accounting

Galbraith is a multi-disciplinary professional services firm with offices across the UK, deeply rooted in the rural, energy, forestry, property, and commercial sectors. With a team of over 200 employees we offer an unparalleled breadth of skills in all property sectors.

Specifically, we deliver property sales & lettings, benchmarked rural and land advisory services, surveying, forestry & estate management and specialist financial, administrative, and valuation services. Our culture blends technical excellence with a strong client-focus, collaborative teamwork, and respect for the communities we serve.

We are seeking a seasoned, strategically minded accounting leader to head up our Client Accounting team, based in Stirling. This is a high-visibility role, working across our Rural Client Accounts portfolio, acting as our client’s primary strategic and technical authority as well as the leader shaping the service, systems, and compliance framework for client accounting at Galbraith.

You will report to senior management and partner with stakeholders across the business to ensure accuracy, consistency, and continuous improvement in our accounting operations.

As Head of Client Accounting you will:

• Be the main point of contact for technical accounting matters: accounting standards, VAT, payroll, and regulatory compliance (notably RICS Client Money Regulations).
• Lead, mentor and develop the Client Accounting team: conduct performance-check ins, guide on best practice, coach on soft skills/emotional intelligence alongside technical capability.
• Own and enhance client accounting systems and processes: identify opportunities for automation, efficiencies, process improvements, and ensure robust controls.
• Oversee client banking platforms: ensure correct user access, proper control around bank profile/ matrix, transaction approvals.
• Manage or approve payroll and benefits related processing (including P11D obligations).
• Promote a positive, energised, high-trust culture, maintaining strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external clients, ensuring excellent service delivery.

We are looking for someone who brings:

• A professional accounting qualification (CA / ACCA / CIMA) together with proven experience in financial reporting, client accounting or FD Services.
• Significant experience of leading teams, mentoring staff, managing performance, with an awareness of emotional intelligence and soft skills being as important as technical ability.
• Strong technical knowledge of accounting, VAT, payroll, regulation around client money (RICS standards would be beneficial).
• Excellent organisational, analytical, and communication skills; highly detail-oriented. Ability to prioritise and deliver under pressure.
• Experience of systems/process improvement, ideally with exposure to modern accounting and banking platforms.