Client Manager (Qualified Accountant) - Hybrid, Bristol

HFBAC (Hiring For and Building Awesome Companies); Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialized accountancy firm in Bristol is seeking a Client Manager to oversee a client portfolio primarily for contractors and freelancers. This hybrid role offers an annual salary of £40,000-£50,000 and the opportunity for career progression into practice management. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 3 years of UK practice experience, strong IT skills, and leadership potential. Join a small team where you'll have a tangible impact and contribute to the firm's growth.

Benefits

Flexible hours

Mental health support

Cycle to work scheme

Performance-based salary

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years UK practice experience in accountancy.
• Comfortable with cloud systems and technology.
• Ability to manage a client portfolio effectively.

Responsibilities

• Manage your own client portfolio primarily for contractors and freelancers.
• Oversee technical delivery, including tax returns and year-end accounts.
• Develop graduates into future client managers.

Skills

Qualified Accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA)

Client-facing confidence

IT literate

Leadership potential

Technical competence

Long-term mindset

Job description

Ready to stop being just a number in a big firm?

We're Focus Accountancy – a small, growing Bristol practice (team of 9 with our Stapleton office) and we need someone who can manage clients AND help run the practice as we scale.

This isn't a 'sit in the corner and do tax returns' role. Barry (our founder) needs his right-hand person – someone who can take real ownership, manage client relationships from start to finish, and eventually help run day-to-day operations.

Why This Role Exists

We've got our Stapleton office running smoothly and hired three graduates in the last year who we're developing into future client managers. But Barry needs qualified, experienced support NOW to manage clients and gradually take on practice management responsibilities.

The honest truth? This will evolve into a practice manager role for the right person. Someone who doesn't just want to do the work, but wants to shape how we do it.

What You'll Actually Do (From Day One)

• Manage your own client portfolio – primarily contractors, consultants, freelancers (plus some other businesses) who've chosen us for our personal approach

• Full technical delivery – VAT returns, tax returns, year-end accounts, tax planning advice, oversight of bookkeeping (not hands-on bookkeeping)

• Remote-first client relationships – mostly via Zoom, phone and email (face-to-face available but not the norm)

• Tech-savvy approach – we're fully cloud-based; you must be comfortable with IT systems

• Gradually take on team oversight – help develop our three graduates who are our future client managers

• Share operational duties – as you prove yourself, help Barry with day-to-day practice management

The Bigger Picture (6-12 Months In)

If this works well, you'd naturally grow into:

• Practice management responsibilities

• Personnel oversight (we're a team of 9, not 50)

• Client success and retention strategy

• Being the person who helps keep everything running smoothly while Barry focuses on strategy

We're not promising this on day one – we need to see the fit works both ways.

What We Actually Need

• ✅ Qualified Accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) with 3+ years UK practice experience
• ✅ Client-facing confidence – you enjoy being the go-to person (mostly remote contact)
• ✅ IT literate – essential, not optional; comfortable with cloud systems and technology
• ✅ Leadership potential – willing to take on responsibility and people management
• ✅ Technical competence – focus on oversight rather than hands-on bookkeeping
• ✅ Within 10 miles of Bristol city centre – hybrid but need you in Stapleton 3 days/week
• ✅ Long-term mindset – not looking for a 12-month stepping stone

Why You'd Want This

• 💰 £40,000-£50,000 (including a performance-based element)
• 📍 Hybrid working – 3 days Stapleton office, 2 from home (genuine flexibility)
• 📈 Real progression – natural evolution to practice management role
• 🎯 Autonomy from day one – manage your own clients, make decisions
• 🌱 Small team impact – team of 9 where you'll actually matter
• 💻 Modern tech stack – FreeAgent cloud software (everyone's accredited), fully digital
• 🌍 Values-led practice – aiming for Net Zero by 2030, 100% paperless
• 🧠 Mental health support – we mean it
• 🚴 Cycle to work scheme (less than 20% of us drive)
• ⏰ Flexible hours – work-life balance matters here

About Focus Accountancy

We specialise primarily in contractors, consultants and freelancers (plus some other business clients). We're small (deliberately), agile, and proud of our high retention rates.

Barry's built something good here, but he needs someone to share the operational load and take genuine ownership. A long-standing team member is moving to 4 days/week from January.

Fair warning: We're looking for the right person, not just any person. This might take time, and that's okay.

What We're NOT Looking For

• Someone who just wants to "do the accounts" without client contact
• People using this as a stopgap before moving to industry
• Anyone who exaggerates on their CV
• Someone who needs hand-holding
• Anyone not comfortable with technology and digital working
• People outside 10 miles of Bristol city centre

The Process

Stage 1: Video interview with Helen (our talent partner)

Step 2: Informal coffee with Barry (not in office – relaxed first meeting)

Stage 3: Technical interview + office visit to meet the team

Stage 4: Final interview + DISC profiling

After initial coffee, everything moves to Helen at HFBAC to keep things smooth and clear.

How to Apply

Apply below!

We're not rushing this. Better to find the right person than settle.

Client Manager | Bristol (Stapleton) | Hybrid 3:2 | £40,000-£50,000 incl. Performance Element

This role is under exclusive management with HFBAC - agency submissions will not be considered or responded to. Please reach out to Helen Sanders if you wish to support this hiring.