Job Description
Client Manager – Accountancy Practice
Salary: £44,000–£50,000 per annum + discretionary bonus
Location: Hamble-le-Rice, Southampton
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent Hours – Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm with the flexibility for a 4 day week pro rata if needed. Working Pattern: Office-based initially, with hybrid working available (2 days at home and 3 days in office after probation period)
About the Role
Are you an experienced Client Manager looking for a role where you can take ownership of your own client portfolio, build long-term relationships and make a real contribution within a friendly, established accountancy practice? We are looking for an experienced accounting professional to join a settled and supportive team, managing a varied portfolio of small and medium-sized business clients. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys combining technical accounting and tax work with client relationship management. You will take responsibility for accounts, corporation tax, personal tax, VAT and wider compliance requirements, ensuring work is completed accurately, efficiently and within deadlines. You will have the autonomy to manage your own portfolio, with direct access to the director for support with complex technical matters.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage an established portfolio of clients, acting as their main point of contact.
- Prepare statutory accounts, corporation tax computations and personal tax returns.
- Prepare VAT returns, including complex partial exemption calculations.
- Manage CIS returns, offsets, repayments and related administration.
- Review accounting records, identify discrepancies and investigate potential issues.
- Identify tax-planning opportunities and matters requiring further advice.
- Monitor deadlines, request outstanding information and ensure work progresses efficiently.
- Communicate accounting and tax matters clearly to clients, both verbally and in writing.
- Coordinate with bookkeeping and payroll colleagues and occasionally review junior team members’ work.
- Maintain high standards of accuracy, quality and client service.
- Recognise when complex matters require escalation or specialist input.
About You
We are looking for someone who is technically capable, organised and confident managing client relationships independently.
Essential requirements:
- ACA, ACCA, AAT Level 4/MAAT, or equivalent recognised accountancy qualification.
- Recent, substantial experience working within a UK accountancy practice.
- Experience managing or taking significant responsibility for a varied client portfolio.
- Strong knowledge of statutory accounts, corporation tax, personal tax and VAT.
- Strong practical experience of partial exemption VAT is essential.
- Good working knowledge of Xero and QuickBooks Online.
- Experience preparing and submitting CIS returns.
- The ability to manage competing deadlines and take ownership of your workload.
- Excellent communication skills and a proactive, client-focused approach.
Salary and Benefits
- Competitive salary of £44,000–£50,000, depending on experience.
- Discretionary bonus equivalent to one month’s salary, paid in two instalments and not linked to individual targets.
- 20 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays.
- Workplace pension scheme.
- Professional body membership fees paid.
- CPD and relevant professional training provided.
- Annual salary review.
- Optional additional paid hours at your normal hourly rate during the busy December and January period.
- Free office parking.
- Free flu jabs.
- Private medical insurance.
- Health and wellbeing programme.
- Hybrid working, with the option of up to two agreed home-working days per week following successful completion of probation.
