Senior Accountant / Client Manager

FHP Accounting is a growing UK practice with expertise across general trading businesses and a specialist niche in property accounting, including service charge accounts, RTM companies, and RMC management. We are looking for an experienced and proactive Client Manager to take ownership of a varied client portfolio, act as the primary point of contact, and support the wider team.

This is a broad, hands-on role suited to someone who thrives on variety, takes pride in client relationships, and is committed to staying ahead of industry developments. You will work closely with the practice principal and manage one team member, helping to organise and review their output.

Key Responsibilities

• Client Management & Advisory
  • Serve as the key point of contact for a defined portfolio of clients, building strong, long-term relationships.
  • Handle day-to-day client queries including general tax questions, ensuring responses are timely, accurate, and clearly communicated.
  • Proactively keep clients informed of relevant legislative changes, HMRC updates, and industry developments that may affect them.
  • Deliver a consistently high standard of service that meets and exceeds client expectations.
• Accounts, Tax & Compliance
  • Lead the preparation and review of statutory year end accounts for a portfolio of clients.
  • Prepare and review personal tax returns (SA100) and corporation tax returns (CT600).
  • Manage VAT return preparation, review, and submission, ensuring compliance and accuracy.
  • Payroll processing for clients, ensuring correct and timely submissions.
  • Assist with service charge accounts during busy periods, supporting the practice's property accounting specialism.
• Bookkeeping & Oversight
  • Oversee bookkeeping carried out by the team, reviewing quality and accuracy of coded transactions.
  • Step in to carry out bookkeeping directly where required as cover for other staff, maintaining continuity of service for clients.
  • Ensure bookkeeping is completed to a standard suitable for year end accounts preparation.
• Xero & Client Training
  • Demonstrate proficiency in Xero across all core functions including bank feeds, invoicing, VAT and reporting.
  • Train clients on how to use Xero effectively, covering basic to intermediate functions relevant to their business.
  • Troubleshoot Xero queries raised by clients and act as the internal point of expertise.
• Team Support & Workload Management
  • Schedule and allocate year end accounts work for one direct report, ensuring deadlines are met.
  • Review work produced by the direct report, providing constructive feedback and supporting their professional development.
  • Help the direct report prioritise their workload and manage competing deadlines effectively.
  • Plan and manage your own workload efficiently, balancing multiple client deadlines and internal responsibilities without close supervision.

Skills & Experience Required

• Essential
  • Proven experience in a client-facing accounting role, acting as a primary contact for a portfolio of clients.
  • Solid technical knowledge across accounts preparation, self-assessment, corporation tax, VAT, and payroll.
  • Strong working knowledge of Xero, including the ability to train and support clients.
  • Confident communicator with the ability to explain complex tax and accounting matters in plain terms.
  • Highly organised with the ability to manage and prioritise a varied workload independently.
  • Proactive approach to CPD – demonstrates genuine interest in staying current with HMRC, tax legislation, and industry changes.
  • Experience reviewing or supervising the work of at least one other team member.
• Desirable
  • Experience with service charge accounts, RTM companies, RMC management, or residential property accounting.
  • ACCA qualified or equivalent professional qualification; part-qualified or qualified by experience will be considered.
  • Familiarity with additional cloud accounting or practice management software.

Personal Attributes

• A self-starter who takes initiative rather than waiting to be directed.
• Reliable and methodical, with a strong attention to detail.
• Comfortable working across a wide range of tasks and happy to be flexible when the business needs it.
• A team player who supports colleagues and contributes positively to the culture of the practice.
• Client-focused with a genuine commitment to delivering excellent service.

Benefits

• 25 days increasing to max 28 days based on length of service.
• Nuffield health assessment after 1 Year of service and then ongoing every 2 years.
• Death in service 4x Salary.
• Pension increases with length of service.
• Salary £35,000-£40,000 dependant on Experience.