General Practice Partner

Carpenter Box; Brighton; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Carpenter Box, part of the Sumer Group, is seeking an experienced General Practice Partner or senior director to lead our accounts, audit and tax service line in the South East. Based in Brighton, you will drive growth, client delivery and cross-service collaboration.

We are looking for ACA/ACCA qualified leaders who can mentor teams, win new business and shape strategic initiatives while working in an inclusive, high-performing culture.

Qualifications

• ACA or ACCA qualified with significant experience in a senior leadership role.
• Proven ability to manage and grow a client portfolio.
• Strong track record in business development and relationship management.
• Experienced in leading and inspiring high-performing teams.
• Strategic thinker with commercial acumen.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of key areas to drive success for the business and clients.
• Manage, develop and grow a diverse client portfolio with large complex clients.
• Ensure high-quality service delivery with risk management and digital tools.
• Inspire and mentor teams and foster an inclusive culture.
• Lead business development activities and build a strong pipeline.
• Strengthen client relationships through tailored offerings and engagement.
• Drive strategic initiatives to enhance firm growth and pricing accuracy.
• Manage own and team's WIP, fees, and lock-up targets.

Skills

Leadership

Business development

Client management

Strategic thinking

Commercial acumen

Team mentoring

Problem solving

Decision making

Education

ACA or ACCA qualified

Job description

Carpenter Box is proud to be part of the Sumer Group. We are chartered accountants, tax, and business advisers based in the South East. Our culture is built on collaboration, innovation, and professional excellence, where every team member is encouraged to grow, contribute, and make a real difference.

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded General Practice Partner, or an established director seeking their next step, to join our growing business. You will be an accounting professional with prior experience in audit and tax, with a primary specialism in accounts preparation. We combine the strength of a leading regional practice with a progressive, forward-thinking culture, offering a compelling platform for someone with ambition who is looking to make a real impact.

Key Responsibilities

You will take ownership of key areas to drive success for both the business and its clients:

• Manage, develop and grow a diverse client portfolio, including large technically complex clients, delivering innovative solutions and acting as a trusted business advisor.
• Ensure efficient, high-quality service delivery with a focus on risk management and adopting digital tools.
• Inspire and mentor teams, fostering a collaborative, inclusive culture and developing others.
• Lead business development activities, building a strong pipeline and promoting cross-service collaboration.
• Strengthen client relationships through tailored offerings and proactive engagement with professional networks.
• Drive strategic initiatives to enhance firm growth, ensuring work is priced effectively and margins are maintained.
• Accountable for proactively managing your own and the team's WIP, fees, and lock-up targets.

About You

We are seeking candidates who demonstrate the following:

• ACA or ACCA qualified with significant experience in a senior leadership role.
• Proven ability to manage and grow a client portfolio.
• Strong track record in business development and relationship management.
• Experienced in leading and inspiring high-performing teams.
• Strategic thinker with commercial acumen, adept at delivering innovative results.
• Experience of working within a matrix structure or medium-sized organisation would be advantageous.
• Commercial mindset, with a keen focus on delivering value and driving results.
• Excels in problem-solving and decision-making, with the ability to cut through complexity and make things happen.
• Is results-oriented, self-motivated, and driven by strategic thinking.

At Sumer, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse work environment, not just as buzzwords, but as the heartbeat of our team.

Our recruitment practices reflect this commitment, welcoming individuals from all backgrounds.

We prioritise creating an environment where every candidate feels respected and supported throughout the hiring process.

Everyone is unique and we understand that each individual may have distinct needs to showcase their best selves during interviews. Our commitment is to offer personalised support for all.

About Carpenter Box

Welcome to Carpenter Box, one of the largest accountancy and business advisory firms in the South East. With nearly 300 talented people across our offices in Worthing, Crawley, Brighton, Chichester, Portsmouth, Lewes and London, we support a diverse and growing client base. We're always looking for ambitious, enthusiastic individuals who share our values and are passionate about delivering exceptional service while building rewarding careers.