Client Manager - Accountancy Practice

MWA Accounting Limited; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Birthday off

Company pension

CPD support

Modern city-centre office

Job summary

MWA Accounting Limited is seeking a senior Accounts Manager to own client relationships and drive delivery for founder-led businesses. You will manage a portfolio of clients, set priorities, and review work, with line management reserved for directors.

The role combines technical accounting with proactive client service. You'll lead the accounts team, oversee tax work, and continually improve processes using cloud tools.

Qualifications

• Qualified or equivalent with strong technical record in UK practice.
• Minimum five years in UK accountancy with client Portfolio experience.
• Proven ability to manage workflow and deadlines for a team.

Responsibilities

• Be main point of contact for a portfolio of clients and lead day-to-day delivery.
• Allocate, prioritise and review work against client deadlines.
• Review junior work and provide clear feedback to improve standards.
• Lead client meetings and help identify added value opportunities.
• Collaborate with directors on client and operational matters.

Skills

Client relationship management

People management

Delivery ownership

Prioritisation & review

Strong communication

Direct client interaction

Workflow coordination

Education

ACCA or ACA or by experience

5+ years UK accountancy practice experience

Tools

Xero

Excel

Job description

A client-facing role with genuine ownership

Own the client relationship and run delivery for founder-led businesses in ecommerce, hospitality, property and content creation amongst others. This is a senior, long-term role in its own right, not a stepping stone.

MWA is an independent, ACCA-regulated accountancy and advisory practice in Manchester. We help business owners understand their numbers, plan ahead and make better decisions. Our clients value clear advice as much as accurate accounts.

How we work

We're a modern, cloud-based practice. We work in Xero, run our workflow through modern practice management systems, and use AI tools to cut routine admin, so your time goes on clients and review, not chasing and re-keying. You'll have a real say in how delivery is organised as we build it out.

The role

You'll be the main point of contact for a portfolio of clients and you'll lead day-to-day delivery of the accounts team's work: allocating, prioritising and reviewing it against client deadlines. You'll have the authority to set priorities and review standards. Line management (appraisals, pay and performance) stays with the director, unless it's something you have experience in.

Key responsibilities

• Acting as the first point of contact for client queries, with clear and practical advice
• Managing a portfolio of limited companies, sole traders and partnerships
• Overseeing accounts preparation, corporation tax and personal tax returns
• Reviewing management accounts and explaining them to business owners
• Planning workloads against deadlines and keeping the team on track
• Reviewing work from junior colleagues, and giving clear feedbackLeading client meetings and spotting where we can add value
• Improving our processes and use of technology
• Helping maintain high standards of client service and responsiveness
• Working closely with the directors on client and operational matters
• Optional: supporting new client enquiries
• Optional: managing the accounts team

About you

• ACCA or ACA qualified, or qualified by experience with a strong technical record
• At least five years' experience in UK accountancy practice, including running a client portfolio and reviewing others' work
• Solid knowledge of accounts, corporation tax, personal tax and management accounts
• Experience organising workflow and deadlines for a team
• Comfortable dealing directly with business owners and directors
• A calm, clear and approachable communicator
• Cloud accounting experience (Xero) and strong Excel skills

This role suits an Accounts Manager, Client Manager, Portfolio Manager, Assistant Manager or experienced Senior Accountant ready to take ownership of delivery.

Salary

£50,000-£54,000 for candidates with strong portfolio and review experience. Up to £58,000 for candidates with proven experience managing or leading a team's workload.

What we offer

• 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays, plus your birthday off
• Up to 5 additional days for length of service
• Company pension
• CPD support
• A modern, fully office-based city-centre workplace and a supportive team