Client Manager

Location: Bolton area
Salary: £45,000 to £50,000, depending on experience
Job Type: Permanent, full-time
Sector: UK Accountancy Practice

The Opportunity

An established and growing North West Accountancy Practice is seeking an experienced Client Manager to take responsibility for a varied portfolio of SME and owner-managed business clients.

You will oversee recurring client work across statutory accounts, management accounts, Corporation Tax and Personal Tax, while acting as a trusted point of contact for business owners.

The position also offers exposure to forecasting, cash-flow planning and financial or tax due-diligence projects.

This opportunity would suit an ACA or ACCA-qualified Practice professional who enjoys managing client relationships, reviewing work and supporting the development of junior colleagues.

Key Responsibilities

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing a portfolio of clients across monthly, quarterly and annual reporting cycles
• Acting as the principal contact for day-to-day client queries
• Planning and overseeing accounts and tax assignments
• Preparing and reviewing statutory accounts under FRS 102 Section 1A
• Producing and reviewing management accounts
• Preparing and reviewing Corporation Tax computations and returns
• Supporting the preparation and delivery of Personal Tax returns
• Providing basic tax-planning guidance
• Reviewing work completed by junior colleagues
• Providing technical feedback and training
• Monitoring client deadlines and outstanding information
• Liaising with clients regarding draft accounts, tax liabilities and reporting requirements
• Preparing forecasts and cash-flow projections
• Supporting financial and tax due-diligence assignments
• Identifying opportunities for clients to access additional services
• Working closely with Managers, Directors and specialist teams

About You

To be considered, you should ideally have:

• ACA or ACCA qualification
• Approximately three to five years’ post-qualification experience
• Recent experience working within a UK Accountancy Practice
• Experience managing a portfolio of SME or owner-managed business clients
• Strong statutory accounts experience under FRS 102 Section 1A
• Experience preparing or reviewing management accounts
• Good Corporation Tax and Personal Tax knowledge
• A practical understanding of VAT
• Experience reviewing work and supporting junior colleagues
• Strong client-management and communication skills
• The ability to explain financial information clearly to business owners
• Excellent organisation and deadline-management skills
• Strong Microsoft Excel capability
• Experience using Xero, Sage or comparable accounting platforms
• A proactive, dependable and commercially aware approach

Applications may also be considered from candidates with slightly less post-qualification experience who can demonstrate strong portfolio-management, accounts, tax and review capability.

Experience of forecasting, cash-flow modelling or due-diligence assignments would be advantageous but is not essential.

Client Portfolio

You will manage a varied portfolio of SME and owner-managed business clients.

The position involves more than completing year-end accounts. You will be expected to understand each client’s business, provide practical guidance and help clients make appropriate use of their financial information.

This may include:

• Discussing business performance and management information
• Identifying cash-flow or profitability trends
• Supporting remuneration and basic tax-planning discussions
• Preparing information for lenders and external stakeholders
• Advising on accounting records and financial controls
• Recognising when specialist Tax, Corporate Finance or advisory support is required

Team Development

You will review work and support colleagues at different stages of their Accountancy Practice careers.

This may include:

• Reviewing accounts, tax computations and management information
• Clearing technical review points
• Providing constructive feedback
• Helping colleagues resolve accounts and tax queries
• Supporting training and professional development
• Monitoring workflow and assignment deadlines
• Maintaining consistent technical and client-service standards

Formal line-management experience would be beneficial but is not essential where strong review, training or mentoring experience can be demonstrated.

Salary and Benefits

The practice is offering:

• A salary of £45,000 to £50,000, depending on experience
• An established and varied client portfolio
• Responsibility for accounts, tax and management information
• Exposure to forecasting, cash-flow and due-diligence projects
• Opportunities to review and develop junior colleagues
• Direct access to Managers, Directors and specialist teams
• Professional and personal-development support
• Clear longer-term progression opportunities
• A collaborative and inclusive working environment
• The resources and expertise of a substantial Accountancy Practice group

Candidates offering strong independent portfolio-management experience, broad accounts and tax capability, junior-review experience and advisory exposure are likely to be considered towards the upper end of the salary range.

The complete benefits package and working arrangements will be discussed during the recruitment process.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This position may appeal if you are looking to:

• Take ownership of an established client portfolio
• Develop broader client-management responsibilities
• Combine accounts and tax work with commercial conversations
• Support and develop junior colleagues
• Gain exposure to forecasting, cash-flow and due diligence
• Work with specialist teams across a wider Accountancy Practice
• Progress towards a more senior management position

Equal Opportunities

The practice is committed to a fair and inclusive recruitment process. Applications are welcomed from candidates of all backgrounds, and reasonable adjustments can be provided throughout the hiring process.

Apply in Confidence

To discuss this Client Manager opportunity confidentially, contact:

David Hawthorne-Finch
Managing Director
Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions
Email: d.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions is acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy.

All applications and enquiries will be treated confidentially. No CV or identifying information will be shared with the hiring practice without informed written consent for this specific opportunity.