The Client Manager is responsible for managing a portfolio of small to medium-sized clients, delivering high-quality compliance and advisory services with minimal Partner supervision. The role combines technical expertise, client relationship management, and team leadership, with a strong focus on efficiency, commercial awareness, and proactive client support.
Key responsibilities
* Manage a portfolio of small to medium-sized clients with minimal Partner oversight
* Act as the primary point of contact for clients, building strong and lasting relationships
* Manage both existing and new client relationships, ensuring high levels of service delivery
* Lead client meetings, including onboarding meetings and periodic review meetings
* Handle a wide range of client queries in a timely and professional manner
Accounts & tax compliance
* Oversee and review the preparation of statutory accounts and financial statements
* Deal with all standard matters of accounts disclosure in line with relevant standards
* Process and review corporate and personal tax returns
* Support and deliver routine tax planning work for clients
* Ensure all compliance work is completed accurately, efficiently, and within deadlines
Planning, workflow & delivery
* Manage own workflow and ensure work is delivered efficiently and within budget
* Oversee workflow across the team, ensuring effective allocation of work
* Plan and prioritise jobs to meet deadlines and client expectations
* Contribute to internal processes and continuous improvement initiatives
* Undertake special assignments and ad hoc project work as required
Team leadership & development
* Supervise and review work completed by training team members
* Delegate work effectively to support team development and efficiency
* Assist with training and development of junior staff, providing ongoing coaching and support
* Communicate effectively with all colleagues
* Contribute to performance management and development reviews where required
* Identify opportunities to generate new business from existing and prospective clients
* Contribute to business development activities and broader practice growth
* Develop and maintain a strong network of professional contacts
Commercial and financial management
* Ensure work is completed within agreed budgets and timescales
* Achieve chargeability and recoverability targets
* Demonstrate strong commercial awareness in managing jobs and making decisions
* Negotiate fees with clients where appropriate and manage scope changes
* Provide commercially focused advice to clients to support their business decisions
Advisory and client support
* Work proactively with clients to identify planning opportunities and areas for improvement
* Provide practical, commercially aware advice tailored to client needs
* Promote the firm’s ethos of adding value and supporting client success
Technical and professional standards
* Maintain a high level of technical knowledge appropriate to the role
* Apply technical expertise to ensure high-quality outputs across all client work
* Stay up to date with changes in accounting standards, tax legislation, and best practice
Values and culture
* Always adhere to the Company values and professional standards
* Act as a role model to others, demonstrating integrity, accountability, and a positive approach to teamwork and client service
Person specification
* Strong experience within an accountancy practice environment
* Proven experience managing a client portfolio
* Strong knowledge of accounts preparation, tax compliance, and planning
* Experience in business development and client acquisition
* Exposure to advisory-led client work
* Sector specialism (if applicable)
Key skills and competencies
* Strong organisational and workflow management skills
* Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities
* Commercial awareness and sound decision-making
* Leadership and team development capability
* Proactive, solutions-focused approach
* Take ownership of client relationships and deliverables with minimal supervision
* Operate at a higher level of responsibility, demonstrating strong technical knowledge and initiative
* Focus predominantly on supervising, reviewing, and managing work rather than preparing it
* Drive effective delegation and support the development team members
* Consistently demonstrate professionalism, reliability, and commercial awareness
Success measures
* High levels of client satisfaction and retention
* Delivery of work within budget and deadlines
* Achievement of chargeability and recoverability targets
* Quality and accuracy of compliance and advisory work
* Contribution to overall practice efficiency and growth
What we offer
We offer a range of benefits alongside a competitive salary and holiday package which will be discussed with you at your interview.
Job type: Full-time, permanent
Work location: Daventry
* Annual discretionary bonus
* 22 +8 days annual leave (Inc. bank hols & increasing with service)
* Option to buy additional holiday days
* Birthday off
* Contributory pension
* Group Life cover (death in service)
* Subsidised gym membership
* Fully funded professional training
* Free parking at all sites
This job summary is intended as a guide to the duties of the post and is not exhaustive. All roles are subject to review and change to meet evolving business needs
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