You'll join our Insolvency team and support both corporate and personal insolvency appointments - learning fast with plenty of variety.  Aver is a small boutique practice specialising in Corporate Recovery, Forensic Accounting and Criminal Investigation work.  We don't offer traditional audit or tax services - this is hands-on investigative work from day one.

Why Aver?

• Work in a specialist boutique team (Corporate Recovery, Forensic Accounting & Criminal Investigation)
• Early responsibility with close support and mentoring
• Varied investigative assignments (no traditional audit or tax work)
• A clear structured route to CA qualification through ICAS

Programme Details

• Duration: 5 years (work + study)
• Location: office based (Edinburgh), with occasional off-site work
• Hours: 9am - 5.30pm (rare out-of-hours working)
• University start: September 2026 (RGU, Aberdeen)
• Preferred start date with Aver: before September 2026

We'll train you as a Chartered Accountant within our Insolvency team, building skills in:

• Data analysis and accounting
• Understanding and applying legislation, including (but not limited to) the Companies Act, Insolvency Act and Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act
• Analysing company and personal financial information
• Asset tracing
• Litigation support
• Reviewing and commentating on directors' conduct using the appropriate legislation
• Preparing reports across a range of assignments

The role would suit a school leaver (or someone entering higher education) looking to earn while they learn via a non-traditional route to a degree and professional qualification.  It may also suit someone with some insolvency experience who wants to take the next step and qualify.

Entry Requirements:

• Minimum of 4 Highers (or equivalent) at Grade B or above - preferably including Maths and English; OR
• The equivalent non-standard qualifications (including Foundation Apprenticeships, Modern Apprenticeships, SVQs/NVQ and access programmes) or relevant work experience (considered on an individual basis) AND
• The right to live and work in Scotland

What we're looking for

• Good general IT skills - especially Microsoft Word and Excel
• Clear written and verbal communication
• A collaborative, team-focused approach
• Willingness to get involved and contribute to discussions

Aver will interview and hire as soon as suitable candidates express interest, so do not hesitate to apply if this role is of interest.  It's a fantastic (and rare!) opportunity to gain a degree and professional qualification without incurring huge debts via the traditional route.

As Accounting & Business Advisory Director, you will offer leadership and guidance to the team whilst managing and developing your own portfolio of clients.  The client base is broad covering key sectors such as: Agriculture & Farming, Charities, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Property & Construction, Retail, Services plus Start-ups/entrepreneurial businesses.  Your duties as Director will include but not be limited to:

• Act as a "Client Relationship Manager" for a varied and diverse client portfolio
• Have final sign-off for statutory financial statements, corporate tax returns, VAT returns and personal tax returns
• Identify advisory opportunities and co-ordinate advisory work , initiating discussions with clients and bringing in relevant specialists as required
• Contribute to the general operational and strategic direction of the firm
• Coach, mentor and develop more junior staff members, supporting them through formal training and examinations as appropriate
• Prepare proposals, ensuring fees are set at appropriate levels
• Monitor budgets, manage Work in Progress and ensure value-based billing

To be successful in this role, it is envisaged that you will be a fully qualified accountant (CA/ACCA) with at least 10 years' PQE of demonstrable experience of working in an Accounting and/or Business Advisory capacity for a firm of accountants or similar.  You will have a proven track record of managing and developing a team of staff, whilst also possessing excellent client management skills.  It's envisaged that you will be comfortable with business development and be able to win work from new and existing clients.  Well developed IT skills, particularly around Iris, Xero and Excel are taken as a given.

This is an excellent opportunity for a Business Advisory Manager/Senior Manager to take a "step up" to the next level, or for an existing Director to join a firm offering long-term career development opportunities in a supportive, friendly and meritocratic environment.  The role can be based in either the Peebles or the Tweedbank office near Galashiels with hybrid/flexible working also available.

Gall Robertson is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation or religious beliefs. 

To find out more, do not hesitate to get in touch for a confidential, informal, non-obligatory conversation with our retained advisor Ivan McGeorge of McGeorge Appointments, who would be delighted to discuss this opportunity with you in greater detail.

• Own, manage and develop a diverse client portfolio, whilst managing and developing a small team of trainees/accounts seniors
• Develop the relationship with your client - leading client meetings (particularly at year-end), answering any queries the client may have and acting proactively on their behalf
• Oversee and review the production of management accounts, statutory accounts, VAT returns plus corporate and personal tax returns prepared by the accounts seniors in your team; advising your clients as appropriate.  This will include but not be limited to:
  • Provide meaningful interpretation of working capital ratios (for example debtor days)
  • Prepare 3-way cashflow forecasts for projection purposes
  • Explain when prior period adjustments are required and identify the appropriate course of action
  • Prepare and document supporting assumptions, and the rationale to projections and cashflows

To be successful in this role, it is envisaged that you will be a fully qualified accountant with recent experience of working in an accounting and business advisory team for another firm of chartered accountants.  You should have excellent people skills, and be comfortable liaising with senior stakeholders within and outwith the firm.  Experience of coaching/mentoring more junior staff members would be particularly attractive.  

As well as possessing a solid grounding in professional practice, it is anticipated that you will be comfortable with MS Office applications (especially Excel) as well as accounting packages such as Xero.  In addition to an excellent salary and benefits package, the firm offers a superb training facilities, an excellent office and working environment, and a proper hybrid working policy (3 days in the office, 2 days working from home).

For a confidential discussion, get in touch at your earliest convenience as the client will interview as soon as suitable candidates become available.