Senior Accountant / Client Manager
We are an established, small, relationship-led practice. We are a cloud-based accountancy practice working with owner-managed businesses and SMEs. We are currently a small team, so this role is hands-on from day one.
We are looking for an experienced practice accountant to join us at an important stage in our development. This is not just a production role. We are looking for someone who can take ownership of work, deal with clients properly, think commercially, and become a key part of the future of the practice.
You will work directly with the existing directors, including our Practice Director, who leads the client delivery side of the firm. For the right person, there is a genuine opportunity to grow into a senior position within the practice, with increasing autonomy, involvement in practice development and potentially a future ownership route. That opportunity would need to be earned through quality, judgement, client handling, reliability and commercial contribution.
The role will include:
- Preparing year-end accounts for limited companies, sole traders and partnerships
- Preparing corporation tax returns and self assessment tax returns
- Preparing bookkeeping and VAT work where required
- Reviewing bookkeeping, VAT and accounts work prepared by others
- Managing and developing client relationships
- Acting as a key contact for a portfolio of clients
- Helping clients with practical accounting and business queries
- Working with Xero, IRIS Elements and other cloud-based systems
- As the practice grows, helping support and develop junior/bookkeeping staff
- Helping improve internal processes, systems and workflow
- Working with an awareness of job budgets, recoverability and client profitability
- Identifying where work is drifting, under-scoped or becoming commercially inefficient
- Delivering work to a high standard, with the expectation that it is ready for final review rather than rework
The expectation is not perfection, but work should be prepared thoughtfully and to a standard where review adds value rather than becoming basic correction.
About you
Previous UK accountancy practice experience is essential. This is not a trainee role.
You may be qualified, part-qualified or qualified by experience. We are more interested in proven ability, attitude and judgement than letters after your name.
You will need:
- Strong experience preparing accounts for owner-managed businesses
- Experience with corporation tax and/or self assessment tax returns
- Bookkeeping and VAT experience
- Good client communication skills
- Good attention to detail
- Ability to manage your own workload and deadlines
- Confidence taking ownership rather than waiting to be told every step
- Commercial awareness — understanding that good practice work needs to be accurate, efficient and recoverable
- The judgement to know when to ask for input, raise issues early, or flag that a job is drifting outside scope
- A practical approach to client service, without unnecessary over-servicing
- A willingness to work as part of a small, close team
Many of our clients are long-standing relationships, so judgement, tone and practical client handling are as important as technical ability. this will suit someone who enjoys being close to the work and clients, rather than managing from a distance.
What we offer
- Salary of £40,000 – £50,000 depending on experience
- Company pension
- Flexible working approach
- Hybrid flexibility once settled
- Free on-site parking
- Direct support from the existing directors
- A genuine opportunity to become a key person in the practice
- Long-term progression for the right person
- Modern cloud-based systems
- A small-team environment where your work will be noticed
- The opportunity to help shape the future direction of the firm
This role is best suited to someone already working in practice who feels ready for more trust, more autonomy and a better long-term opportunity.
We are not looking for someone who simply wants a job title. We are looking for someone who wants to build something with us.
Pay: £40,000.00-£50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Flexitime
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Work from home
Application question(s):
- 1. What attracts you to this role specifically?
2. We are a small practice where people are expected to take ownership and solve problems rather than wait for instruction. Can you give an example of a process, system or way of working that you improved in a previous role?
Experience:
- accountancy practice: 3 years (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Tamworth B78 1SH