CORPORATE PORTFOLIO MANAGER (Accountancy) in Exeter

Location: Exeter, Devon, UK

Type: Full-Time (Permanent)

About Us

We are a well-established chartered accountancy firm based in Exeter, renowned for providing comprehensive accounting, tax, and business advisory services to a diverse range of clients. Our portfolio spans small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across various industries. We pride ourselves on our commitment to exceptional client service and a collaborative team culture. By embracing modern accounting software and best practices, we continually strive to support our clients’ growth and financial success while fostering a supportive and professional work environment for our staff.

The Role

We are seeking a Corporate Portfolio Manager to join our team and take charge of a broad portfolio of incorporated clients. This is a senior position ideal for someone who is both technically strong and passionate about client service. You will lead on delivering accounting and advisory services, ensuring compliance and high-quality outputs.

• Overseeing a portfolio of clients: Manage a portfolio primarily consisting of incorporated SMEs, acting as the main point of contact for your clients and ensuring their needs are met. You will build and maintain strong, long-term client relationships founded on trust and excellent service.
• Financial reporting and compliance: Prepare and review financial statements, annual accounts, tax returns, and periodic management reports for your clients. Ensure accuracy in all deliverables and compliance with relevant accounting standards and UK tax regulations. You will also make sure all reporting deadlines are met.
• Strategic advisory: Provide strategic financial insights to clients to help them grow their businesses and improve their financial performance. This includes advising on tax planning, cash flow management, and business planning opportunities, tailoring your advice to each client’s circumstances.
• Client relationship management: Serve as the trusted adviser for clients in your portfolio, handling day-to-day queries and proactively addressing their accounting and business needs. You will conduct client meetings, present findings from reports, and ensure client satisfaction is kept at the forefront.
• Team leadership and mentoring: Supervise and mentor a team of junior accountants and trainees. You will review their work, provide guidance and training, and foster their professional development. By nurturing talent and leading by example, you will maintain a high-performing team that delivers quality work.
• Quality control and compliance: Take responsibility for the quality of work produced by your team, implementing review processes to ensure compliance with UK GAAP/IFRS and the latest tax legislation. You will stay up to date with any changes in accounting standards or tax law and ensure the firm’s services adapt accordingly.
• Continuous improvement: Work with the directors and senior management team to identify opportunities to improve internal processes or enhance the client service experience.

This role is pivotal to our firm’s success. You will have the autonomy to manage your portfolio while also contributing to firm-wide initiatives, such as staff training and business development. It’s a fantastic opportunity for a seasoned accountant to make a real impact on both clients’ businesses and our practice.

About You

The ideal candidate is a qualified accountant with strong technical knowledge and excellent people skills. Key qualifications and attributes we are looking for include:

• ACA or ACCA Qualified: You are a chartered accountant (ACA or ACCA) with full membership status (or equivalent qualification).
• Practice and Managerial Experience: You have previous experience in an accountancy practice environment, with a track record of managing a portfolio of corporate clients. You should also have proven experience in a senior role, supervising staff and reviewing work, ideally as an Accounts Manager or Client Manager.
• Technical skills: Strong knowledge of UK accounting standards (UK GAAP and/or IFRS) and a good understanding of tax compliance. You stay current with regulatory changes and can ensure compliance in all client work.
• Software proficiency: Proficient in accounting software including Xero, QuickBooks, and Sage. Familiarity with other cloud accounting and tax software is a plus.
• Leadership and mentoring: Excellent leadership qualities – you enjoy managing and mentoring junior team members, helping them grow and maintaining high standards of work.
• Client-focused communication: Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills. You are confident in liaising with clients, explaining complex financial information in clear terms, and building trusted adviser relationships.
• Analytical and organised: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with keen attention to detail. You are well organised, able to manage deadlines and priorities across a portfolio of engagements.
• Business acumen: Commercial awareness and the ability to spot opportunities to add value for clients or improve services.
• Audit experience (desirable): Previous audit experience would be advantageous, particularly in understanding group structures, controls, and compliance requirements.

Benefits

We offer a competitive benefits package and a supportive work environment:

• Holiday and Leave: 23 days plus bank holidays, with an additional day for your birthday.
• Pension & Financial: Company pension scheme with employer contributions and death in service cover.
• Professional Development: Ongoing training and clear progression opportunities, including potential advancement to senior management roles.
• Agile Working: Flexible and hybrid working options available after probation.
• Personal Health Cash Plan: NHS top-up plan to support routine healthcare costs.
• Team Culture: A collaborative, friendly environment where your contributions are valued.