Client Relationship Manager

W Talent; Carlisle; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible and hybrid working

Competitive salary

Excellent benefits

Job summary

W Talent Finance is partnering with a well-regarded boutique accountancy practice in Carlisle, seeking a Client Relationship Manager to lead a portfolio of owner-managed and family businesses. You will combine compliant delivery with proactive advisory support, helping clients improve profitability and manage tax efficiently.

In this advisory-led, relationship-focused role you will identify opportunities for added value, develop the advisory services, and work with Directors to deliver

Qualifications

• ACA or ACCA qualified, or qualified by experience within UK practice.
• Strong background in general practice, accounts, and business tax.
• Proven experience managing client relationships or a portfolio of clients.
• Confident working directly with business owners and senior stakeholders.
• Strong technical knowledge of accounts and tax compliance.
• Commercially aware with a genuine interest in business performance and advisory work.
• Strong communication skills with a proactive, client-focused approach.
• Organised, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Interest in developing advisory and value-added client services.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 50-100 owner-managed and family business clients, acting as the primary relationship contact.
• Build strong, long-term client relationships through regular communication and structured review meetings.
• Deliver a high-quality blend of compliance and advisory services tailored to client needs.
• Oversee preparation and review of accounts, business tax computations, and VAT returns.
• Ensure work is delivered accurately, efficiently, and within agreed deadlines and budgets.
• Provide proactive advice on improving profitability, cash flow, and business performance.
• Identify tax planning opportunities and support effective tax mitigation strategies.
• Contribute to discussions around business structure, growth, and long-term planning.
• Support delivery of management information, dashboards, and performance insight reporting.
• Identify opportunities for additional advisory services within the client portfolio.
• Maintain high-quality client files and ensure robust technical standards are met.
• Work collaboratively with Directors and the wider team on client delivery and projects.
• Contribute to process improvement and the adoption of more efficient working practices.
• Stay up to date with relevant tax, accounting, and regulatory developments.

Skills

ACA/ACCA qualified

Client relationships

Accounts & tax compliance

Stakeholder communication

Advisory mindset

Education

ACA/ACCA qualification

Qualified by experience in UK practice

Job description

Client Relationship Manager - Accountancy Practice

Carlisle - Cumbria

Competitive Salary + Excellent Benefits

About the Company

W Talent Finance is a specialist recruitment partner dedicated to placing high-calibre accounting professionals across both practice and commerce & industry markets worldwide. With a deep understanding of the finance landscape, we support clients ranging from leading professional services firms to established independent practices, delivering tailored talent solutions that drive business performance.

We are partnering with a highly regarded and well-established boutique accountancy practice based in Carlisle, supporting a broad portfolio of owner-managed and family businesses across Cumbria and the wider region. The firm delivers a fully integrated service offering spanning accountancy, tax planning, profit improvement, and long-term wealth and asset advisory.

This is a client-focused, advisory-led environment where relationships, commercial insight, and proactive advice sit at the centre of the service model.

The Role

As Client Relationship Manager, you will take ownership of a portfolio of owner-managed and family business clients, acting as their trusted adviser and primary point of contact.

This is a hybrid role combining high-quality compliance delivery with proactive advisory support. You will work closely with business owners to improve profitability, manage tax efficiently, and support wider financial and strategic decision-making.

Alongside client management responsibilities, you will play a key role in identifying opportunities for added value, supporting the development of advisory services, and ensuring clients receive a consistently high level of service aligned with the firm's boutique positioning.

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded practice professional looking to move into a more advisory-focused, relationship-led role within a respected regional practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 50-100 owner-managed and family business clients, acting as the primary relationship contact
• Build strong, long-term client relationships through regular communication and structured review meetings
• Deliver a high-quality blend of compliance and advisory services tailored to client needs
• Oversee preparation and review of accounts, business tax computations, and VAT returns
• Ensure work is delivered accurately, efficiently, and within agreed deadlines and budgets
• Provide proactive advice on improving profitability, cash flow, and business performance
• Identify tax planning opportunities and support effective tax mitigation strategies
• Contribute to discussions around business structure, growth, and long-term planning
• Support delivery of management information, dashboards, and performance insight reporting
• Identify opportunities for additional advisory services within the client portfolio
• Maintain high-quality client files and ensure robust technical standards are met
• Work collaboratively with Directors and the wider team on client delivery and projects
• Contribute to process improvement and the adoption of more efficient working practices
• Stay up to date with relevant tax, accounting, and regulatory developments

About You

• ACA or ACCA qualified, or qualified by experience within UK practice
• Strong background in general practice, accounts, and business tax
• Proven experience managing client relationships or a portfolio of clients
• Confident working directly with business owners and senior stakeholders
• Strong technical knowledge of accounts and tax compliance
• Commercially aware with a genuine interest in business performance and advisory work
• Strong communication skills with a proactive, client-focused approach
• Organised, self‑motivated, and able to manage multiple priorities effectively
• Interest in developing advisory and value-added client services

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary with excellent benefits package
• Opportunity to work within a boutique, advisory-led practice in Carlisle
• Direct exposure to owner-managed and family business clients across the region
• Genuine opportunity to develop into a more senior advisory role over time
• Supportive and collaborative working environment
• Strong focus on client value, quality, and professional development
• Flexible and hybrid working available for the right candidate