Client Portfolio Manager

Location: North London

Firm: Established three-partner accountancy practice and member of a Top 20 accountancy network

Employment type: Permanent, full-time

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

The Firm

Our client is an established, mid-tier accountancy practice based in North London. Led by three partners, the firm provides a comprehensive range of accounting, tax and business advisory services to a diverse portfolio of owner-managed businesses, SMEs and private clients. The firm is part of a Top 20 accountancy network, providing access to the resources, technical expertise and wider capabilities of a leading national organisation while retaining the close-knit culture, partner access and personal service of an independent practice.

Due to continued growth, the firm is looking to appoint an experienced Client Portfolio Manager.

The Role

The Client Portfolio Manager will take day-to-day responsibility for a varied portfolio of clients, acting as their principal point of contact and ensuring they receive a responsive, technically strong and commercially focused service. The successful candidate will oversee the preparation and delivery of accounts, tax returns and other compliance work, while identifying opportunities to provide clients with additional advisory support. They will also manage and develop junior members of the team and work closely with the partners on more complex assignments and practice development.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced practice professional seeking genuine client ownership, regular partner exposure, access to the resources of a Top 20 network and a clear route for further progression.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a varied portfolio of owner-managed businesses, limited companies, partnerships and sole traders.
• Act as the principal day-to-day contact for clients, developing strong and trusted relationships.
• Plan and oversee the delivery of year-end accounts, corporation tax returns and associated compliance work.
• Review statutory accounts and tax computations prepared by junior members of the team.
• Review personal tax returns where relevant to the client portfolio.
• Ensure assignments are completed accurately, efficiently and within agreed deadlines.
• Provide clients with practical advice on accounting, tax and general business matters.
• Prepare and review management accounts, forecasts and cash-flow information where required.
• Lead client meetings and explain financial information clearly and commercially.
• Identify tax-planning opportunities and areas where the firm can provide additional services.
• Draw upon the wider network’s specialist expertise and service capabilities when required.
• Liaise with HMRC and other external parties on behalf of clients.
• Manage workflow across the portfolio, allocating work appropriately and monitoring progress.
• Supervise, support and develop junior and part-qualified members of staff.
• Review work constructively and provide regular coaching and technical guidance.
• Monitor budgets, recoverability, work in progress and billing across the portfolio.
• Assist with fee proposals, client onboarding and the smooth transition of new assignments.
• Support the partners with complex client matters and ad hoc advisory projects.
• Contribute to the firm’s continued growth, operational improvement and client-retention strategy.
• Maintain a strong understanding of relevant accounting, tax and regulatory developments.

Candidate Requirements

• ACA or ACCA qualified, ideally with post-qualification experience gained within an accountancy practice.
• Strong experience managing, or assisting with the management of, a portfolio of SME and owner-managed business clients.
• Sound technical knowledge of UK GAAP, statutory accounts preparation and corporation tax.
• Experience reviewing accounts and tax work completed by junior colleagues.
• Confident managing assignments from initial planning through to completion and billing.
• Strong client-management skills, with the confidence to lead meetings and provide advice directly to business owners.
• Experience supervising, mentoring or managing junior members of staff.
• Commercially aware, with the ability to recognise advisory and business-development opportunities.
• Well organised and able to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• A proactive, practical and solutions-focused approach.
• Comfortable using modern accounting and cloud-based software.

Desirable Experience

• Experience with software such as Xero, QuickBooks, Sage, IRIS, CCH or similar practice systems.
• Knowledge of personal tax, VAT and payroll matters affecting owner-managed businesses.
• Experience preparing or reviewing management accounts and financial forecasts.
• Involvement in practice development, fee proposals or winning new client work.
• Previous experience working in a small or mid-tier accountancy practice.
• Experience advising clients on systems, processes and cloud-accounting solutions.

What the Firm Offers

• A senior, client-facing position with genuine responsibility for a varied portfolio.
• Direct and regular exposure to all three partners.
• The resources, technical support and specialist capabilities of a Top 20 accountancy network.
• The close-knit culture and accessibility of a local partner-led firm.
• A broad mix of compliance, advisory and business-support work.
• The opportunity to build long-term relationships with business owners and senior decision-makers.
• The ability to influence internal processes and contribute to the firm’s future growth.
• Ongoing technical and professional development.
• A clear opportunity for career progression as the firm continues to expand.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.