We are looking for an Application Analyst to join our growing IT team. You will be a key team member for both IT and business led projects, as well as maintaining, supporting and being the firm’s internal expert on systems and application suites.

The role

To maintain, support and be the Firm's internal expert on client-driven application suites and service line applications/systems. To grow awareness and understanding of how the applications, systems and application suites are used to deliver services to our internal and external clients. Ensuring availability and performance of systems and services through a process of continual improvement.

The Applications team are responsible for the day-to-day administration, support, implementation and development of all the Firm’s applications and systems. In addition, this role will require the individual to work with project teams to ensure the effective delivery of business-led initiatives.

The priority for all IT activity is to maintain the highest levels of stability and reliability in the services delivered.

The role also requires you to grow awareness and a better understanding of how the application suite is used to deliver services to our clients. Ensuring availability and performance of systems and services through a process of continual improvement.

The responsibilities 

• Be the 'owner' of the Firm's systems and applications suite. The main contact for deploying, developing, maintaining the system whilst providing support and operating business continuity, change management and release management processes.
• Maintain the Firm's systems and applications in line with our Information Security policy and Cyber Essentials Plus requirements.
• Manage and deliver projects in respect of upgrades, maintenance, system performance and measurement, in conjunction with relevant vendors and consultants where appropriate.
• Be the technical lead in respect of upgrades to systems, including access via remote desktop and mobile applications, including as part of office expansion or office move projects, in conjunction with relevant vendors and consultants where appropriate.
• Developing and undertaking regular pro-active (BAU) activities to ensure the availability, integrity and performance of systems and services to the standard defined for each system or service.
• Acting as an escalation point of internal support for colleagues as subject matter expert; incorporating remedies to reported issues and improvements to the systems and services and sharing solutions with colleagues.

Maintenance and support responsibilities

• Responding to escalated calls from colleagues or direct enquiries from users. Logging and updating calls in a timely manner as per the agreed processes. Communicating solutions to colleagues and end users; providing timely communication to all involved parties.
• Participating in planned maintenance and disaster recovery activities, including out of hours works.
• To maintain the catalogue and configuration management process for the systems.
• Contribute to operational handover / service introduction documentation and training material, in conjunction with the IT Training team, to the IT team as deployments and upgrades dictate.
• To contribute to guidance for the IT Team and the Firm on best practice for administration and use of the systems. 

The team

The Applications team are responsible for the implementation, development, day-to-day administration and support of all the Firm’s applications and systems.

The IT department is made up of 23 IT professionals in addition to the IT service desk.  The team is based in London and Bristol, and responsible for the provision of IT services and support to 10 offices across the UK & Ireland.

You

Systems and Application Portfolios

·         MS Office Suite

·         M365 Platform including SharePoint, Power Platform, Azure Logic Apps

·         DMS (NetDocuments)

·         Wolters Kluwer suite (CCH AA, CCH AP, CCH PT and CCH TA)

·         Alphatax and Alphabridge

·         Various Accounts applications eg Sage, Quickbooks, KeyPrime, Farmplan, etc.

·         Payroll applications eg Paycirle, SmarterPay

Education and Experience Required

·         Good working knowledge of T-SQL and PowerShell scripting.

·         Understanding of Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)

·         Experience with the M365 platform and SharePoint administration.

·         Knowledge and support of Windows Server operating systems, core services and Active Directory.

·         Knowledge of, and experience working with, ITIL processes, procedures and toolsets.

• Ideally working knowledge of Microsoft Power Platform, Azure Logic Apps, or similar automation/integration tools.

Attributes / skills required

• Service focused attitude and professional manner.
• Confident communicating with individuals at all levels of the business, understanding working practices and requirements.
• Able to respond quickly to requests, manage time effectively, and work under pressure.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability
• Proactive nature, hardworking, organised, able to structure own work and work solo when required.
• Able to use initiative and make suggestions to change processes where required.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to provide appropriate documentation to target audiences. This may be technical documentation but will also include communications/working practices targeted for specific end-user groups.

Reward and benefits

• A 35-hour working week and a hybrid working policy with a minimum of 2 days in the office (our core hours are 10-4)
• Excellent benefits including contributory pension scheme, 25 days annual leave, Life Assurance cover and great flexible benefits and family friendly policies,
• Eligibility for the firm’s Profit-Sharing Plan. Paid in December.
• Paid overtime or time off in lieu.

About us

Saffery LLP is an adviser to individuals and businesses across a range of sectors, providing market-leading accountancy, audit, business advisory, tax and VAT services. Founded in 1855, we are the UK’s 15th largest accountancy firm.

When you work with us at Saffery, you work with people who know your name, not just a job title.   We’re a place shaped by friendly, intelligent people who are individually excellent and collectively exceptional. We’re committed to our clients, but also to our greatest asset – our people.

As a proud member of Nexia, a leading, international network of independent accounting and consulting firms, we’ve got access to local insight on a global scale.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion  

Equality, diversity and inclusion is a top priority for us. With our ED&I strategy, Everyone Belongs, we are building on our positive work culture and implementing initiatives to improve diversity and strengthen our equitable culture of inclusion, led from the top.

We hope you will apply to us, whatever your background, ethnicity, gender, age, sexuality, disability or neurodivergence, because individual differences equal collective strength. Built on values of excellence, integrity, enthusiasm and collegiality, Saffery is where Potential meets Personal.