Manager - Agriculture & Landed Estates in Exeter

In a nutshell, are you ready to take the next step in your career with a role that’s as dynamic as it is rewarding? In this hands‑on, client‑facing position, you’ll be a trusted advisor from day one, building meaningful relationships while working with a high‑value portfolio of landed estates, trusts and rural businesses. You’ll deliver practical, strategic advice across accounts, tax and trust matters, helping families protect legacies and plan for the future. You’ll also help lead and mentor a talented specialist team, contribute to their development, and work across a varied portfolio that keeps every day interesting. With clear career progression, exposure to complex and rewarding technical work (including IHT, CGT and trust planning), and a supportive, forward‑thinking environment, this is more than just a job — it’s a chance to shape your future.

What you’ll be doing day to day:

• Act as primary adviser for a mixed portfolio of landed estates, family trusts, partnerships and farming businesses.
• Plan for and review annual accounts across sole trader, partnership, company and trust structures; approve VAT returns and management accounts.
• Lead personal, trust and corporate tax compliance; prepare and review IHT returns and CGT 60‑day returns; develop and implement succession planning strategies, CGT timing strategies, and trust restructuring options.
• Work closely with legal, property and investment specialists to deliver integrated succession and estate planning solutions.
• Produce forecasts, cashflows and sensitivity analysis; identify restructuring, reliefs and diversification opportunities to improve estate resilience.
• Draft correspondence, engage with HMRC on enquiries, and ensure timely, accurate submissions.
• Supervise, review and develop junior staff; deliver technical training and support career progression.
• Build local networks at county events and professional forums; contribute to thought leadership and proposals to grow the landed estates client base.

About you:

• You have a solid background in accounts and a specialist tax focus, combining technical excellence with commercial judgement.
• ACA, ACCA or equivalent; strong record of continuous technical development.
• Prior experience leading preparation and review of statutory and management accounts across sole trader, partnership, company and trust structures.
• Knowledge of IHT, CGT, trust taxation and personal tax, with experience applying reliefs and planning opportunities for landed estates is desirable.
• Comfortable owning end‑to‑end compliance — tax returns, HMRC correspondence and managing enquiries.
• Practical knowledge of completing IHT forms for gifts into trusts, 10 year anniversary trust events, and appointments out of trust.
• Able to translate technical accounts and tax detail into clear, pragmatic advice that aligns with family and commercial objectives.
• Confident client‑facing presence; builds trusted long‑term relationships with owners, trustees and professional advisers.
• Experienced in supervising, coaching and quality‑reviewing junior staff; committed to developing a high‑performing specialist team.
• Strong commercial awareness, cashflow and forecasting capability, and the ability to spot tax‑led value and restructuring opportunities.
• Proven ability to work effectively with legal, property and investment specialists to deliver joined‑up estate solutions.
• Highly organised, meticulous with deadlines, resilient under pressure and committed to protecting and enhancing client legacies.

Why work at PKF Francis Clark:

As the largest firm of independent chartered accountants and business advisers in South West England, PKF Francis Clark offers a wide range of opportunities to develop your career in the way that’s right for you. Established in 1919, we’ve grown to nearly 1,000 people across offices in Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, Poole, Salisbury, Southampton, Taunton, Torquay and Truro. Our size means we can offer ambitious work with exciting clients and a friendly, supportive culture. We want you to belong, be yourself and do your best work as part of a forward‑thinking team, with a flexible approach to hybrid working and a strong focus on wellbeing, learning and development.

Your core benefits:

• Group personal pension to help you build your future savings through employer and employee contributions.
• Group life assurance providing cover up to four times your basic annual salary.
• Group income protection available after six months’ service.
• Health cash plan giving money back on everyday health costs, with free cover for up to four dependent children (up to age 24 in full‑time education) and the option to add a partner or spouse.

Mental wellbeing:

• Counselling and emotional support for you and your immediate family.
• Virtual GP and second opinion services for you and your immediate family.
• Access to trained Mental Health First Aiders for confidential, peer to peer support.

Physical wellbeing:

• Cycle to work scheme, with the option to purchase a bike and accessories up to £4,000.
• Discounted membership at gyms, pools and studios across the UK.
• Digital health and wellbeing tools available through the employee health cash plan.
• Support for colleagues experiencing menopause, as part of our Menopause Workplace Pledge, including webinars and a dedicated Microsoft Teams channel for ongoing support.

Additional benefits:

• Family friendly benefits, including enhanced pay, family leave coaching sessions and a parent network.
• The option to buy up to five extra days of holiday (pro rata for part‑time colleagues).
• One paid volunteering day each year to support local organisations.
• Electric vehicle lease scheme (grade and pay criteria apply).
• Gifts to mark key career and family milestones.
• Expert led webinars on mental, physical and financial wellbeing.
• Francis Clark Charitable Foundation, offering support for current and former employees experiencing financial hardship.