Job Description
Personal Tax Manager - Clear Partnership Pathway
Salary: £55,000-£70,000 + Bonus
Location: Manchester City Centre
Your Opportunity to Lead, Grow, and Shape the Future
Are you a strategic tax professional ready to step into a role where you'll not only manage a prestigious portfolio of high-net-worth clients but also drive practice development and shape your own career trajectory?
This is your chance to join a Top 40 accountancy practice where your technical expertise, leadership skills, and commercial acumen will be recognised, rewarded, and developed with a clear pathway to Senior Manager and partnership.
Based in a modern Manchester city centre office, you'll take full ownership of complex personal tax matters, lead a talented team, and work directly with partners on sophisticated tax planning strategies. This isn't just another tax manager role—it's a genuine opportunity to make your mark in a practice that invests in its people and offers the resources, support, and progression you deserve.
About Our Client
Our client is a prestigious Top 40 national accountancy practice serving over 100,000 clients across the UK. With a reputation for technical excellence and innovation, they specialise in personal tax, corporate tax, and sophisticated tax planning services for high-net-worth individuals, business owners, family offices, and trustees.
What sets them apart:
- National resources with local expertise – access to specialist teams and technical support across the UK
- Modern city centre location with excellent transport links
- Collaborative, supportive culture that values professional development and work-life balance
- Hybrid working arrangements offering flexibility (typically 2-3 days in office)
- Genuine progression opportunities with clear pathways to senior leadership and partnership
The Role: Strategic Leadership Meets Technical Excellence
As Personal Tax Manager, you'll be a key figure in the practice, taking full management responsibility for a substantial portfolio of high-quality personal tax clients whilst leading and developing a team of tax professionals. You'll work at a strategic level, contributing to practice development, driving business growth, and positioning yourself for senior leadership roles.
Your Key Responsibilities:
Client Portfolio Management:
- Full responsibility for high-net-worth personal tax clients including business owners, professionals, family offices, and trustees
- Leading complex tax planning projects covering income tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, trust planning, and succession planning
- Managing HMRC enquiries, disputes, and negotiations with confidence and technical authority
- Acting as trusted senior advisor and key practice representative for strategic client relationships
Team Leadership & Development:
- Managing and mentoring a team of 5-8 tax professionals (assistant managers, seniors, and junior staff)
- Providing technical leadership through training, coaching, and thought leadership
- Building a high-performing team culture focused on excellence, development, and collaboration
Business Development & Growth:
- Driving new client acquisition through networking, proposals, and market positioning
- Identifying cross-selling opportunities and growing existing client relationships
- Representing the practice at networking events, seminars, and industry forums
- Contributing to practice strategy including service innovation and market development
Practice Management:
- Managing practice profitability including budgeting, forecasting, and fee management
- Contributing to strategic planning and practice development initiatives
- Staying at the forefront of tax legislation and advising clients proactively on changes and opportunities
What You'll Need to Succeed
Essential Qualifications & Experience:
- CTA qualified with strong technical credentials and up-to-date knowledge
- Minimum 7-10 years' experience in personal tax within a UK accountancy practice
- Proven management experience with a track record of successfully leading and developing teams
- Substantial HNW client portfolio management experience, working independently with senior clients
Technical Skills & Expertise:
- Strong technical expertise in complex personal tax matters including trusts, estates, and international tax
- Proficiency with tax software (CCH, Alphatax, or similar platforms)
- Advanced Microsoft Office skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
- Deep understanding of HMRC procedures, enquiries, and dispute resolution
Leadership & Commercial Skills:
- Demonstrated business development success with ability to win new clients and grow relationships
- Excellent leadership, communication, and presentation skills
- Strong commercial acumen with understanding of practice economics and profitability
- Strategic thinking with ability to contribute to practice development and innovation
What's On Offer: A Comprehensive Rewards Package
Financial Rewards:
- Competitive salary: £55,000-£70,000 (dependent on experience and qualifications)
- Performance-related bonus scheme
- Annual salary reviews with performance-based progression
Work-Life Balance:
- Hybrid working arrangements (typically 2-3 days in office, flexibility to suit your needs)
- 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays
- Modern city centre office with excellent transport links (Metrolink, rail, and bus connections)
Career Development:
- Clear progression pathway to Senior Manager level within 2-3 years
- Potential partnership track for exceptional performers
- Continued professional development with access to technical training and leadership programmes
- Professional subscriptions paid (CTA membership and relevant professional bodies)
Health & Wellbeing:
- Private medical insurance for you and your family
- Enhanced pension scheme with employer contributions
- Employee assistance programme for wellbeing support
Additional Benefits:
- Social events and team activities throughout the year
- Access to national resources and specialist technical teams
- Supportive, collaborative culture that values your contribution
Location & Working Arrangements
Transport Links:
- Walking distance from Manchester Piccadilly and Victoria stations
- Direct Metrolink access (St Peter's Square)
- Excellent bus connections across Greater Manchester
- City centre parking available nearby
Working Pattern: Hybrid working with typically 2-3 days per week in the office, offering flexibility to balance collaboration with focused work time.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you're an ambitious personal tax manager ready to elevate your career with a Top 40 practice that offers genuine progression, strategic responsibility, and the opportunity to shape practice development, we'd love to hear from you.
This is more than just a job move—it's your opportunity to join a practice that will invest in your growth, recognise your contributions, and support your journey to senior leadership and beyond.
For a confidential discussion about this exceptional opportunity, please contact:
Jake Harris
Senior Recruitment Consultant
Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions
Senior Recruitment Consultant
Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions
All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions is committed to ethical recruitment practices and will only submit your details to our client with your express written consent.