Accounting Senior Manager in Bolton

Location: Bolton

Salary: c.£55,000+ DOE | Top 20 Firm | Genuine Director Pathway

The Opportunity

Senior Manager roles at genuinely ambitious firms are rare. This is one of them.

Our client is a Top 20 UK accountancy and business advisory group, trusted by over 100,000 clients across the UK and Ireland. With a network of more than 130 offices and a team of approximately 2,000 professionals, they offer the breadth and resources of a major firm alongside the close-knit culture of a regional practice. Their Bolton office is looking for an experienced, qualified Senior Manager to take ownership of a portfolio of limited company clients and lead a talented team — reporting directly to Director level.

This is a role for someone who is ready to stop waiting for progression and start leading it. If you are ACCA or ACA qualified, you have built a strong portfolio management background, and you want genuine Director-track potential with the support of a nationally recognised group behind you, read on.

What You Will Be Doing

• Managing a portfolio of limited company clients, providing proactive business advice and excellent service at every stage.
• Leading client assignments end-to-end — statutory accounts, management accounts, corporation tax, personal tax, and VAT computations and returns.
• Providing tax planning advice to clients including remuneration strategy, pension contributions, and capital assets.
• Analysing financial information to deliver tailored, specialist advisory services.
• Building and developing client relationships, identifying new advisory and growth opportunities within the portfolio.
• Attending and conducting client meetings as required.
• Liaising with the personal tax manager on self-assessment for your portfolio and working alongside wider tax specialists on complex matters.

Team Leadership & Standards:

• Managing, developing, and monitoring performance of a team of senior and junior members.
• Reviewing work and maintaining quality standards across all compliance outputs.
• Supporting Portfolio Managers on technically complex client matters.
• Mentoring and developing junior team members — coaching with purpose, not just reviewing work.
• Leading on process improvement and standardisation projects across the practice.
• Supporting the implementation of new technologies and working practices.

Compliance & Operational Oversight:

• Overseeing all compliance deadlines across your portfolio — accounts, VAT, tax returns, CS01s, and associated filings.
• Liaising with the credit control department to ensure services are billed and credit control policy is followed.
• Supporting the onboarding of new clients and contributing to business development initiatives.

What We Are Looking For

Our client is looking for a qualified, commercially aware Senior Manager who leads with confidence and cares about the standard of work their team produces.

Essential:

• ACCA or ACA qualified with a minimum of 3 years' post-qualification experience in a general practice accountancy environment.
• Proven experience managing your own portfolio of limited company clients.
• Strong all-round technical knowledge across accounts preparation, corporation tax, personal tax, and VAT.
• Solid understanding of FRS 102 and FRS 105 reporting standards.
• Xero experience is essential — you will be using it daily.
• Experience of accounting support software such as Dext, CCH, or equivalent.
• Demonstrable team management and leadership experience, including reviewing others' work and managing performance.
• Strong communication and client-facing skills — you are someone clients trust and enjoy working with.
• Organised, commercially minded, and able to manage multiple deadlines across a varied portfolio.

Desirable:

• Exposure to tax planning engagements and advisory work beyond compliance.
• Experience of practice management systems and process improvement.
• Familiarity with business development activity within a practice setting.

Benefits Package

Our client offers a well-rounded package designed to support your professional and personal life:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays — with the option to purchase up to 5 additional days.
• Business closure over Christmas — no holiday days required.
• On-site car parking at the Bolton office.
• ACCA Approved Employer status — supporting your ongoing CPD and development.
• "Dress for your day" policy with dress-down Fridays.
• Retail discounts scheme.
• Company and team social events.
• Ongoing training, development, and mentoring programme.
• Career progression opportunities across a national network of 130+ offices.

Career Progression

This role reports directly to Director level, and our client's structure is designed to develop Senior Managers into the next generation of Directors. You will be visible, valued, and supported. The combination of a close-knit regional team and a Top 20 national group means you get genuine mentorship alongside real scale — including the option to develop your career across a network of offices if that is of interest.

A Note on Location

The role is based at our client's Bolton office, well connected by road to Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and the wider North West. On-site parking is available.

How to Apply

This vacancy is being managed confidentially by Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions Ltd, a specialist legal and accountancy recruitment consultancy.

To apply or to have a confidential conversation about this opportunity, please contact:

David Hawthorne-Finch Director | Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions Ltd

Email: d.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com

Phone: 0333 996 2882

We welcome approaches from candidates who are currently employed and exploring options on a strictly confidential basis. Your CV will not be shared with any employer without your explicit written consent.

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions Ltd acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment. All applications are treated in strict confidence. We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

This role requires a minimum of 3 years' post-qualification experience in a UK accountancy practice environment. Applications without practice-based backgrounds cannot be progressed.