Client Manager
£Competitive | Full-time | Permanent
NEWcaSTLE | BGC1016
The Firm:
Our client is an established and progressive accountancy and business advisory practice with a strong reputation for building lasting client relationships and investing in its people. With a down-to-earth, collaborative culture, the firm encourages its people to take ownership, develop their skills and play a meaningful role in the continued growth of the business. Supporting a diverse portfolio of ambitious SMEs and owner-managed businesses, the focus goes well beyond traditional compliance, combining technical expertise with practical, commercial advice. With continued growth and a genuine commitment to career development, this is an excellent environment for someone looking to progress and make their mark.
The Role:
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced accountant who is ready to take the next step in their career and move into a Client Manager role with genuine responsibility for both clients and people.
Reporting into a senior member of the leadership team, you will take ownership of a varied portfolio while managing and developing a small team of accounting professionals.
This is much more than a compliance-focused position. You will be encouraged to build strong client relationships, understand what makes their businesses tick, identify opportunities to add value and help drive the continued growth of the portfolio.
Your responsibilities will include:
Managing a portfolio of clients and developing strong, long-term relationships.
Overseeing the delivery of accounts, tax and associated compliance work, ensuring deadlines and quality standards are maintained.
Working closely with clients to understand their needs and identify opportunities where additional advice or services could add value.
Supporting business development through referrals, networking and developing existing relationships.
Taking responsibility for the commercial performance of your portfolio, including WIP, billing and recoverability.
Working closely with senior management to monitor performance, identify challenges and agree solutions.
Supporting improvements in systems, technology and processes, including the use of cloud accounting.
Leading, coaching and developing a small team, helping individuals to progress and reach their potential.
Setting objectives and providing regular feedback, support and development to your direct reports.
The role offers a good balance of client management, technical accounting, commercial responsibility and people leadership, making it particularly attractive to someone who wants their next move to have real substance.
Experience Required:
We are looking for an ACA or ACCA qualified accountant with a strong background in practice and a good understanding of UK accounts and tax compliance. You will be commercial and personable with ambition to progress the team.
You are likely to have:
At least 3 years' post-qualification experience within an accountancy practice.
Experience managing a varied SME client portfolio.
Strong knowledge of accounts and tax compliance.
Previous experience of supervising or managing junior members of a team, or the ambition and capability to take that step.
A good understanding of cloud accounting platforms, with Xero experience advantageous.
Excellent client communication and relationship-building skills.
A commercial approach, with the ability to recognise opportunities to grow client relationships.
Strong organisation and ownership, with the confidence to manage deadlines, workloads and competing priorities.
A genuine interest in coaching and developing others.
Benefits:
A varied benefits package which extends to extends to healthcare, pension, 25 days holiday, additional holiday purchase scheme, reduced hours, volunteer days and much more.
If you can’t quite see what you are looking for, please get in touch so we can understand more about the best way to help you.