Client Accounts Team Lead

Deverell Smith Recruitment Ltd; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialist property management company is seeking a Client Accounts Team Leader in Cambridge. This role involves leading a team of accountants while managing prestigious residential portfolios. The position offers hybrid working with just one office visit per month. Ideal candidates will have five years of accounts experience, strong communication skills, and a technical foundation. This is a unique opportunity to progress into leadership while maintaining hands-on involvement in finance management.

Benefits

Pension scheme

Study support for professional qualifications

Holiday purchase scheme

Smart Health programme

Life assurance

Regular social events

Birthday leave

Long service awards

PerkBox discount platform

Cycle to work scheme

Employee referral programme

Qualifications

• Five years' accounts experience with a strong technical foundation.
• Preparation of year-end accounts desirable but not essential.
• Experience mentoring or supporting colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Monitor team workload and ensure timely completion of accounts.
• Undertake internal reviews of service charge accounts.
• Manage finances for a portfolio of estates.

Skills

Numeracy skills

Analytical skills

Strong communication

Microsoft Excel proficiency

Leadership potential

Education

Part-qualified CIMA/ACCA/ACA or qualified by experience

Job description

Client Accounts Team Leader

Location: 1 day per month in office, Cambridge or Manchester
Salary: Up to £47,000 DOE
Contract: Full-time, Monday-Friday

Highlights

• Lead a small team of three client accountants whilst managing a high-quality portfolio of prestigious residential developments
• Genuine progression opportunity from senior accountant to team leadership with comprehensive training and mentorship support
• Flexible hybrid working with just one office day per month, offering excellent work-life balance

About the opportunity

A specialist property management company overseeing large-scale residential developments across the UK is seeking a Client Accounts Team Leader to join their Cambridge-based finance function. This role offers the chance to step into team leadership whilst maintaining hands‑on portfolio management, making it ideal for senior accountants ready to progress their careers without losing technical involvement.

The position combines supervisory responsibilities with direct estate finance management, ensuring you develop leadership capabilities whilst staying connected to the work that drives results.

What makes the role exceptional

The company operates with a quality‑over‑quantity philosophy, managing high‑end portfolios where accuracy and resident experience take precedence over volume processing. This approach creates a more rewarding working environment where your technical expertise genuinely impacts the developments under management.

You’ll benefit from structured training programmes and clear development pathways, working within an organisation that invests in building internal talent rather than seeking fully‑formed leaders. Previous management experience isn’t required—mentoring a couple of team members or demonstrating leadership potential positions you well for consideration.

The hybrid arrangement requires just one office visit monthly (with flexibility to attend either Cambridge or Manchester), providing autonomy whilst maintaining team connection. Working hours finish at 4:30pm on Fridays, supporting genuine work‑life balance.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor team workload and ensure timely, accurate completion of milestones including service charge accounts, budgets, and year-end reporting
• Undertake internal reviews of service charge accounts ensuring compliance with ARMA and ICAEW guidelines
• Provide training, mentorship and leadership to three client accountants through regular one-to-ones and team meetings
• Manage finances for a portfolio of estates, maintaining compliance with company policies and sector standards
• Ensure monthly bank reconciliations are completed with all transactions investigated and no accounts overdrawn
• Reconcile opening balances for estates transferred from other agents, ensuring accurate Qube integration
• Conduct annual staff appraisals and probation reviews for team members
• Resolve team queries before escalation, encouraging solution‑focused problem‑raising

Requirements

• Five years' accounts experience with strong technical foundation
• Part‑qualified CIMA/ACCA/ACA or qualified by experience
• Preparation of year‑end accounts (accounts practice background desirable but not essential)
• Experience mentoring or supporting colleagues, demonstrating leadership potential
• Excellent numeracy and analytical skills with confident handling of financial information
• Strong communication abilities across written and verbal formats
• Proficiency in Microsoft programmes, particularly Excel
• Right to work in the UK

Rewards and benefits

• Hybrid working with only one office day monthly (Cambridge or Manchester)
• Pension scheme
• Study support for professional qualifications
• Holiday purchase scheme allowing additional leave beyond standard entitlement
• Smart Health programme
• Life assurance
• Regular social events
• Birthday leave
• Long service awards recognising tenure
• PerkBox discount platform
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee referral programme

We are an equal opportunities recruiter, valuing diversity and inclusion and welcoming applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of background.

Interested in learning more?

This role offers a genuine stepping stone into team leadership within a supportive environment that prioritises development over perfection. If you’re ready to progress beyond pure technical work whilst maintaining portfolio involvement, we’d welcome a conversation about how this opportunity aligns with your career goals.