Job title: Senior Accountant / Client Manager
Job type: Permanent
Industry: Accountancy & Finance
Sub-Functional Expertise: Accounting Manager Accounts Senior / Senior Accountant
Salary type: Annual
Salary: GBP £48,000.00
Location: Wilmslow, UK
Job published: 2026-04-24
Job ID: 59949
Contact name: Diane Shaw
Contact email: d.shaw@h-fts.com

Job Description

Senior Accountant / Client Manager 
Salary: £38,000–£48,000 + bonus 
Location: South Manchester
 
Hybrid + flexi-time
 
If you’re an experienced UK practice accountant who enjoys owning client relationships (not just ticking compliance boxes), this is a brilliant opportunity to step into a senior, client-facing role with real variety: year-end, tax, management accounts and advisory, plus the chance to coach others and help shape how the portfolio is delivered.
 
Our client is a well-established, growing accountancy practice in South Manchester, investing in cloud systems and proactive advisory. You’ll manage your own portfolio end-to-end, supported by a wider team, with hybrid working and flexible start/finish times to suit your life outside work.
 

The Role: What you’ll be doing

Client portfolio ownership (compliance + delivery)

  • Preparation and filing of year-end accounts and corporation tax computations/returns for limited companies, LLPs, partnerships and sole traders
  • Preparation and filing of Self Assessment and personal tax computations/returns
  • Preparation and filing of Capital Gains Tax computations
  • Support with R&D tax claims within accounts and tax returns (where applicable)
  • Completing compliance work within 8–10 weeks after the period end, in line with internal target dates
  • Providing practical tax planning to reduce the burden of taxation for businesses and owners
  • Completing the initial review of year-end assignments and tax work prior to manager/Director review

Outsourcing & advisory (value-add work)

  • Managing a portfolio for bookkeeping, VAT and management accounts
  • Reviewing bookkeeping, VAT returns and management accounts for accuracy prior to manager review
  • Ensuring client records are received on time and returned promptly once work is completed
  • Supporting payroll services across the wider client base (as needed)
  • Preparation, review and filing of P11D returns
  • Producing management information and performance analysis within 10–20 working days after period end
  • Supporting clients to improve profitability and efficiency through better controls and systems
  • Assisting with cashflow management and use of appropriate cloud software/apps
  • Preparing budgets, forecasts and integrated projections (P&L, balance sheet, cashflow)
  • Preparing break-even analysis, business plans, and supporting finance-raising discussions
  • Conducting business valuations (where required)

People, process and practice development

  • Supporting Directors/Associate Directors/Senior Client Managers with portfolio delivery
  • Coaching and developing junior team members (Client Accountants/Senior Client Accountants/trainees)
  • Training colleagues and clients on cloud accounting systems and apps
  • Helping drive the practice’s adoption and development of cloud accounting and supporting applications
  • Supporting billing processes and keeping portfolio admin accurate and up to date

What we’re looking for (requirements)

Essential

  • 5+ years’ UK accountancy practice experience (this role is not suited to industry-only backgrounds)
  • Strong hands-on experience preparing year-end accounts and UK tax returns across a mixed client base
  • Confident managing deadlines and client communication across your own portfolio
  • Working knowledge of Xero and cloud accounting workflows
  • Experience using UK compliance software such as TaxCalc (or similar)

Ideal

  • AAT and/or ACCA qualified, part-qualified, or QBE
  • Experience reviewing work prepared by others and supporting junior staff development
  • Comfortable producing and explaining management accounts and performance insights to clients

 

Salary, benefits and working arrangements

  • Salary: £38,000–£48,000 (dependent on experience and portfolio responsibility)
  • Rewards incentive scheme: % bonus linked to your involvement in sourcing/signing new business (based on a percentage of first-year fees)
  • Hybrid working
  • Flexi-time working
  • 25 days’ holiday (includes 3 days at Christmas/New Year when the office is closed)
  • Extra day’s leave for your birthday
  • Additional annual leave after 3 years’ service (up to 30 days maximum)
  • Dress Down Friday + smart business casual dress code
  • Regular team socials
  • Private medical insurance after 2 years’ service
  • Clear scope to grow into broader advisory, portfolio leadership and mentoring responsibility as the client base expands

Interested? Apply confidentially

To apply or have a confidential chat first, contact:
Diane Shaw
Email: d.shaw@h-fts.com
Apply with indeed
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