Client Manager - Accountancy Practice in Richmond

Job Opportunity: Client Manager (Progression to Practice Manager)

Location: Richmond

Employment Type: Permanent, Full Time

Working Pattern: Hybrid working considered

Sector: Accountancy Practice

TPF Recruitment is delighted to be supporting an independent and forward‑thinking accountancy practice based in the Richmond area, who are looking to recruit an experienced Client Manager with a clear and structured progression pathway into a Practice Manager position. This is a pivotal hire for the firm, offering long‑term development, increased operational responsibility, and succession planning from the current Practice Manager.

The role will suit a commercially minded Client Manager who enjoys portfolio ownership, reviewing work, and supporting team development, and who is keen to broaden their remit beyond client delivery into practice operations and people management.

The Role

Initially, the role will focus on client portfolio management and technical delivery, with responsibilities expanding over time to include practice management and operational oversight.

• Managing a portfolio of clients as the primary day‑to‑day point of contact
• Overseeing and preparing year‑end accounts and compliance work
• Reviewing work prepared by team members, including accounts, bookkeeping, VAT, management accounts and tax returns
• Providing clear, constructive feedback and maintaining high technical and file standards
• Leading client meetings and calls, explaining financial information clearly and identifying advisory opportunities
• Handling client queries in a professional, friendly and solutions‑focused manner
• Supporting the onboarding of new clients and setting clear expectations
• Maintaining accurate, well‑documented client files using modern practice software

Commercial & Workflow Responsibility

• Planning and managing workflow across your client portfolio
• Monitoring WIP, budgets and recoveries, identifying scope changes early
• Supporting billing processes and debtor management
• Contributing to improved efficiency, consistency and job flow across the practice

Team Supervision & Development

• Providing day‑to‑day guidance to junior team members
• Supporting training and development through coaching, reviews and feedback
• Assisting with recruitment and onboarding as required

Progression to Practice Manager

With structured support and a phased handover, the successful candidate will gradually take on wider operational responsibilities, which may include:

• Practice coordination, resourcing and capacity planning
• Ownership of internal processes, onboarding standards and quality control
• Supporting people processes including probation reviews, training tracking and holiday oversight
• Assisting with practice compliance processes and internal controls
• Producing operational reporting to support partner decision‑making

This role offers a clear and realistic route into Practice Manager, with scope, responsibility and remuneration increasing as the position evolves.

Requirements

The Ideal Candidate

• Proven experience managing a client portfolio within a UK accountancy practice
• Strong technical knowledge across accounts and SME compliance
• Experience reviewing work and supervising junior staff
• Excellent communication skills and strong commercial awareness
• Highly organised, proactive and reliable under pressure
• Confident using cloud accounting systems and practice software
• ACA or ACCA qualified, or qualified by experience
• Experience working with creative, freelance or owner‑managed business clients would be beneficial but is not essential.

Benefits

What’s on Offer

• Competitive salary, dependent on experience, with planned reviews aligned to role progression
• Clear long‑term development pathway to Practice Manager
• Hybrid working options once settled
• Supportive, friendly and professional working environment
• Pension and holiday entitlement
• CPD support and paid professional subscriptions where applicable

For a confidential conversation about this opportunity, or other accountancy practice opportunities, please reach out to Kourtney Luckett on 01483 900 940, kourtney@tpfrecruitment.com or via Kourtney Luckett LinkedIn for a confidential conversation.

Refer a Friend...

We’re keen to remain the leading provider of top accountancy talent in the South East. To do this, we’re always looking to expand our network, and we know that great candidates like you can help us connect with other brilliant professionals. If your friends, family or colleagues are considering a new opportunity and have relevant experience in accountancy or tax, we’d love to speak with them. As a thank you, for every candidate you refer who we successfully place in a permanent role, we will give you £200 in Love2Shop vouchers. (Terms & Conditions apply)