Job Description Personal Tax Senior - Top 40 Practice with HNW Client Portfolio Salary: £38,000 - £50,000 Location: Manchester City Centre Elevate Your Personal Tax Career with a Leading National Practice Are you a talented personal tax professional seeking a role that combines technical excellence, high-quality private clients, and genuine career progression? Our client, a prestigious Top 40 accountancy practice and part of a national group serving over 100,000 clients, is expanding their Manchester personal tax team and looking for an experienced Personal Tax Senior to join them. This is more than just another tax compliance role—it's an opportunity to work with a high-calibre portfolio of high-net-worth individuals, business owners, and professionals, whilst developing your technical expertise and leadership capabilities in a supportive, forward-thinking environment. With comprehensive CTA study support, hybrid working flexibility, and a clearly defined progression pathway to Assistant Manager and Manager level, this role offers everything you need to take your personal tax career to the next level. About Our Client Our client is a leading Top 40 accountancy practice with a strong national presence and a reputation for delivering exceptional personal tax services to discerning private clients. Their Manchester office, located in the heart of the city centre, offers a modern, collaborative working environment with access to national resources, specialist technical teams, and a culture that genuinely values professional development. Why This Practice Stands Out: Part of a prestigious national group serving 100,000 clients across the UK Award-winning commitment to technical excellence and client service Specialises in personal tax, corporate tax, and sophisticated tax planning services High-quality client portfolio including HNW individuals, entrepreneurs, professionals, and family groups Hybrid working arrangements (typically 2-3 days in office) for excellent work-life balance Comprehensive study support for ATT and CTA qualifications Clear progression pathways with structured career development plans Modern city centre office with excellent transport links Access to national technical helplines, specialist teams, and knowledge-sharing platforms Collaborative, supportive team culture that encourages innovation and continuous improvement The Role: What You'll Be Doing As a Personal Tax Senior, you'll take ownership of a diverse portfolio of personal tax clients, providing expert compliance and advisory services whilst developing your technical skills and leadership capabilities. You'll work closely with partners and managers, building strong client relationships and positioning yourself for progression to Assistant Manager level within 12-18 months for high-performing individuals. Your Key Responsibilities: Client Portfolio Management: Managing a portfolio of personal tax clients including high-net-worth individuals, business owners, professionals, and family groups Preparing personal tax returns (SA100) and associated schedules including employment income, self-employment, property income, investment income, and capital gains Acting as primary point of contact for your clients, building trusted advisor relationships Proactively identifying tax planning opportunities and value-add services to support client objectives Tax Advisory & Planning: Providing tax planning advice on income tax, capital gains tax, and inheritance tax matters Advising on tax-efficient structures for business owners, including dividend strategies, profit extraction, and remuneration planning Supporting clients with capital gains tax planning including principal private residence relief, business asset disposal relief, and gift planning Assisting with inheritance tax planning including lifetime gifting strategies, trust planning, and estate planning Staying current with tax legislation changes and proactively advising clients on the impact of new developments HMRC Compliance & Correspondence: Managing HMRC correspondence and enquiries on behalf of clients, including information requests, compliance checks, and dispute resolution Preparing responses to HMRC with supporting documentation and technical arguments Negotiating settlements and managing client expectations throughout the enquiry process Team Leadership & Development: Reviewing and supervising work prepared by junior team members, providing constructive feedback and technical guidance Mentoring and coaching trainee and semi-senior staff to support their development Contributing to team training sessions and knowledge-sharing initiatives Business Development & Practice Growth: Supporting business development initiatives by identifying cross-selling opportunities and introducing clients to specialist services Contributing to practice growth through excellent client service, referrals, and networking Building relationships with professional introducers including accountants, solicitors, and financial advisers What We're Looking For: Essential Requirements Qualifications & Experience: ATT or CTA qualified (or part-qualified with completion expected within 12 months; full study support provided) Minimum 3-5 years' post-qualification or senior-level experience in personal tax within a UK accountancy practice environment Proven experience managing a personal tax client portfolio independently, demonstrating technical competence and client relationship skills Strong technical knowledge of personal tax compliance, including SA100 preparation and associated schedules Technical Skills & Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of UK personal tax legislation including income tax, capital gains tax, and inheritance tax Experience with tax planning for individuals, business owners, and family groups Knowledge of HMRC procedures including self-assessment, enquiries, and compliance checks Proficiency with tax software (CCH, Alphatax, or similar platforms) Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel for tax computations and analysis Understanding of tax-efficient structures including trusts, partnerships, and corporate structures Personal Attributes: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to explain complex tax matters in clear, accessible language Strong client relationship abilities with a professional, personable approach and commitment to exceptional service Supervisory and mentoring capabilities with experience or willingness to develop junior team members Outstanding organisational and time management skills with proven ability to manage multiple client deadlines during busy periods (particularly January self-assessment deadline) Proactive, self-motivated attitude with commercial awareness and business acumen Attention to detail with a commitment to technical accuracy and quality standards Team player who thrives in a collaborative environment and contributes to practice culture Ambition to progress to Assistant Manager and Manager level What's On Offer: Comprehensive Benefits Package Salary & Remuneration: Competitive salary: £38,000 - £50,000 (dependent on experience and qualifications; ATT-qualified typically £38k-£44k, CTA-qualified typically £45k-£50k) Annual salary reviews with performance-based progression Discretionary bonus scheme linked to individual and practice performance Referral bonus scheme for successful candidate and client introductions Work-Life Balance: Hybrid working arrangements (typically 2-3 days in office, with flexibility to accommodate personal circumstances) 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with service) Additional holiday purchase scheme available Flexible working hours to support work-life balance Early finish Fridays during quieter periods outside peak season Professional Development: Comprehensive study support including full exam fees, study materials, and paid study leave for ATT and CTA qualifications Structured CPD programme with access to technical training, webinars, and industry updates Clear progression pathway to Assistant Manager level (typically 12-18 months for high performers) and Manager level (typically 2-3 years) Mentoring and coaching from experienced managers and partners Access to national training academy and specialist technical resources Support for further qualifications and specialist tax areas (e.g., trusts, international tax) Regular technical updates and knowledge-sharing sessions Additional Benefits: Modern city centre office (excellent transport links including Metrolink, rail, and bus; 5-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly) Pension scheme with employer contributions Professional subscriptions paid (ATT/CTA membership fees) Health and wellbeing support including employee assistance programme Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan Social events and team activities throughout the year Access to national resources including technical helplines, specialist teams, and knowledge-sharing platforms Modern IT equipment including laptop and dual screens for home working Location & Working Arrangements Our client's Manchester office is situated in the heart of the city centre, offering: Excellent transport links : 5-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly station, direct Metrolink access (St Peter's Square), and multiple bus routes Modern, professional workspace with collaborative working areas, private meeting rooms, and quiet focus spaces Hybrid working flexibility : Typically 2-3 days per week in the office, with flexibility to accommodate personal circumstances and client meetings City centre amenities : Surrounded by cafés, restaurants, shops, gyms, and cultural venues Secure bike storage and shower facilities for cyclists Typical Working Pattern: Office days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (flexible) Home working: Monday, Friday (flexible) Core hours: 9:00am - 5:30pm with flexibility outside peak season Peak season (January - February): Increased office presence may be required to support team collaboration during self-assessment deadline Career Progression: Your Future With This Practice This role offers a clearly defined progression pathway to Assistant Manager and Manager level, with genuine opportunities for ambitious individuals to advance their careers within a supportive, meritocratic environment. Your Career Journey: Year 1 (Personal Tax Senior) : Consolidate technical skills, build client relationships, develop supervisory capabilities, and demonstrate consistent high-quality work Year 1-2 (Assistant Manager) : Assume increased portfolio responsibility, lead on more complex tax planning matters, develop business development skills, and mentor junior team members Year 2-3 (Manager) : Take full portfolio management responsibility, lead on client acquisition and retention, manage team members, and contribute to strategic practice development Beyond Manager level, opportunities exist to progress to Senior Manager, Associate Director, and Partner positions within the wider group. The practice has a strong track record of promoting from within and actively supports ambitious individuals in achieving their career goals. How to Apply: Take the Next Step If you're an ambitious personal tax professional ready to elevate your career with a Top 40 practice that offers genuine progression, high-quality clients, and comprehensive support, we'd love to hear from you. For a confidential discussion about this opportunity and to learn more about how this role could accelerate your personal tax career, please contact: Jake Harris Recruitment Consultant – Accountancy Practice Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions j.harris@h-fts.com www.h-fts.com www.careers.h-fts.com Please include your CV and a brief cover note outlining your relevant personal tax experience, current qualifications (ATT/CTA status), and salary expectations. Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions is committed to providing a transparent, ethical recruitment service. All candidate information is treated in the strictest confidence, and we will always seek your explicit consent before submitting your details to any client. We specialise in recruitment for accountancy and legal practices across the UK, offering a personalised, professional service built on integrity and genuine partnerships.