Personal Tax Assistant Manager

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading accountancy practice based in Manchester is looking for an experienced Personal Tax Assistant Manager. You will manage a substantial portfolio of high-net-worth clients and lead a team within a supportive environment. Ideal candidates will have 5-7 years of experience in personal tax and a solid track record of managing client relationships. This role offers a competitive salary of £45,000 - £55,000 plus bonuses, with clear progression pathways towards managerial positions.

Benefits

Performance-related bonuses

Annual salary reviews

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Hybrid working arrangements

Qualifications

• Minimum 5-7 years post-qualification experience in personal tax within a UK accountancy practice.
• Proven experience managing a complex personal tax client portfolio independently.
• Supervisory or team leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of high-quality personal tax clients.
• Prepare and review complex personal tax returns.
• Provide sophisticated tax planning advice and manage client relationships.

Skills

Team leadership

Client relationship management

Tax planning expertise

Communication skills

Education

CTA qualified

ATT qualified with significant experience

Tools

CCH Alphatax

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job Description

Personal Tax Assistant Manager - Step Up to Team Leadership with Top 40 Practice

Salary: 45000 - 55000 Bonus

Location: Manchester City Centre

Ready to Lead Take Your Personal Tax Career to the Next Level

Are you an experienced personal tax professional ready to step into a leadership role that combines technical excellence team management and genuine career progression

Our client a prestigious Top 40 accountancy practice and part of a national group serving over 100000 clients is seeking a talented Personal Tax Assistant Manager to join their expanding Manchester team.

This is your opportunity to transition from senior-level technical work into team leadership and management working with a high-calibre portfolio of high-net-worth individuals business owners and family groups whilst developing the next generation of tax professionals. With hybrid working flexibility performance-related bonuses and a clearly defined progression pathway to Manager level within 12-18 months this role offers everything you need to make that crucial step up in your personal tax career.

If youre ready to take ownership lead a team and work on sophisticated tax planning matters in a supportive collaborative environment that genuinely invests in your development this could be the perfect next move.

About Our Client

Our client is a leading Top 40 accountancy practice with a strong national presence and a reputation for delivering exceptional personal tax services to high-net-worth private clients. Their Manchester office located in the heart of the city centre offers a modern collaborative working environment with access to national resources specialist technical teams and a culture that values both technical excellence and people development.

Why This Practice Stands Out

• Part of a prestigious national group serving 100000 clients across the UK
• Award-winning commitment to technical excellence client service and staff development
• Specialises in personal tax corporate tax and sophisticated tax planning services including trusts estates and international tax
• High-quality client portfolio including HNW individuals entrepreneurs professionals family offices and multi-generational family groups
• Hybrid working arrangements (typically 2-3 days in office) for excellent work-life balance
• Clear progression pathways with structured career development plans and genuine promotion opportunities
• Modern city centre office with excellent transport links
• Access to national technical helplines specialist teams and knowledge-sharing platforms
• Collaborative supportive team culture that encourages innovation continuous improvement and professional growth
• Investment in people development with comprehensive training mentoring and leadership programmes

The Role: What You'll Be Doing

As a Personal Tax Assistant Manager you'll take a significant step up in responsibility managing a substantial portfolio of high-net-worth personal tax clients whilst assuming team leadership and supervisory responsibilities . You'll work closely with partners and managers on complex tax planning matters develop and mentor junior team members and play a key role in business development initiatives.

This is a genuine leadership role that will prepare you for progression to Manager level within 12-18 months .

Your Key Responsibilities

Client Portfolio Management & Technical Delivery

• Managing a portfolio of high-quality personal tax clients including high-net-worth individuals business owners professionals family groups and trustees
• Preparing and reviewing complex personal tax returns (SA100) and associated schedules including employment income self-employment partnership income property income investment income foreign income and capital gains
• Taking ownership of client relationships as a trusted senior advisor acting as primary point of contact and building long-term partnerships
• Proactively identifying tax planning opportunities and value-add services to support client objectives and enhance service delivery

Sophisticated Tax Advisory & Planning

• Providing sophisticated tax planning advice on income tax capital gains tax inheritance tax and trust matters
• Advising on tax‑efficient structures for business owners including dividend strategies profit extraction remuneration planning and succession planning
• Leading on capital gains tax planning including principal private residence relief business asset disposal relief investors relief gift planning and holdover relief strategies
• Managing inheritance tax planning projects including lifetime gifting strategies trust planning estate planning and will reviews
• Advising on trust taxation including income tax capital gains tax and inheritance tax implications for various trust structures
• Supporting clients with complex tax matters including non‑domicile taxation foreign income and gains and residence and domicile planning
• Staying current with tax legislation changes and proactively advising clients on the impact of new developments including Finance Acts and HMRC guidance updates

HMRC Compliance & Dispute Resolution

• Leading on complex HMRC enquiries and investigations including aspect enquiries full enquiries and compliance checks
• Preparing comprehensive responses to HMRC with supporting documentation technical arguments and legal precedents
• Negotiating settlements with HMRC inspectors and managing client expectations throughout the enquiry process
• Managing disclosure matters including voluntary disclosures and Contractual Disclosure Facility cases
• Advising on penalty mitigation and reasonable excuse arguments

Team Leadership & People Development

• Supervising reviewing and mentoring a team of junior and semi-senior staff (typically 3-5 team members)
• Managing team workflow and work allocation ensuring appropriate distribution of work based on capability and development needs
• Reviewing work prepared by team members providing constructive feedback technical guidance and coaching
• Conducting performance reviews and development discussions with team members
• Ensuring quality standards are maintained across all client deliverables
• Contributing to recruitment by interviewing candidates and supporting onboarding of new team members
• Leading team training sessions and knowledge‑sharing initiatives

Business Development & Practice Growth

• Supporting business development initiatives by identifying cross‑selling opportunities and introducing clients to specialist services (corporate tax trusts financial planning estate planning)
• Contributing to practice growth through excellent client service generating referrals and networking with professional introducers
• Building relationships with professional introducers including accountants solicitors financial advisers and wealth managers
• Participating in networking events seminars and client presentations
• Contributing to proposals and pitch presentations for new client opportunities

Practice Development & Thought Leadership

• Contributing to practice development through process improvement efficiency initiatives and technology adoption
• Participating in technical committees and knowledge‑sharing forums
• Mentoring trainee and newly qualified staff on technical and professional development
• Representing the practice at external events and industry forums

What We're Looking For: Essential Requirements

Qualifications & Experience

• CTA qualified (or ATT qualified with significant post‑qualification experience and demonstrable commitment to CTA progression with study support provided)
• Minimum 5-7 years post‑qualification experience in personal tax within a UK accountancy practice environment
• Proven experience managing a complex personal tax client portfolio independently demonstrating technical competence client relationship skills and commercial awareness
• Supervisory or team leadership experience with proven ability to lead mentor and develop junior team members

Technical Skills & Knowledge

• Comprehensive understanding of UK personal tax legislation including income tax capital gains tax inheritance tax and trust taxation
• Extensive experience with tax planning for individuals business owners family groups and trustees
• Strong knowledge of complex tax matters including non‑domicile taxation foreign income and gains residence and domicile issues and international tax considerations
• Experience leading on HMRC enquiries including aspect enquiries full enquiries and compliance checks
• Knowledge of trust taxation including income tax capital gains tax and inheritance tax for various trust structures
• Proficiency with tax software (CCH Alphatax or similar platforms)
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills particularly Excel for tax computations analysis and modelling
• Understanding of tax‑efficient structures including trusts partnerships corporate structures and family investment companies

Leadership & Management Skills

• Proven supervisory and mentoring capabilities with experience developing junior team members
• Strong leadership qualities including the ability to motivate inspire and manage team performance
• Excellent delegation and work allocation skills with ability to match work to capability and development needs
• Performance management experience including conducting reviews providing feedback and managing difficult conversations
• Team building abilities with commitment to creating a positive collaborative team culture

Personal Attributes

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to explain complex tax matters clearly to clients colleagues and HMRC
• Outstanding client relationship abilities with a professional personable approach and commitment to exceptional service
• Strong commercial awareness and business acumen with understanding of client needs market dynamics and practice economics
• Excellent organisational and time management skills with proven ability to manage multiple client deadlines team supervision and business development activities simultaneously
• Proactive self‑motivated attitude with ability to work independently and take ownership of portfolio and team
• Attention to detail with commitment to technical accuracy and quality standards
• Resilience and composure with ability to manage pressure during busy periods (particularly January self‑assessment deadline)
• Collaborative team player who thrives in a supportive environment and contributes to practice culture
• Genuine ambition to progress to Manager level and beyond

What's On Offer

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Salary & Remuneration

• Competitive salary: 45000 - 55000 (dependent on experience and qualifications; typically 45k-48k for ATT significant experience 50k-55k for CTA qualified)
• Performance‑related bonus scheme (typically 5-15% of base salary based on individual and practice performance)
• Annual salary reviews with performance‑based progression
• Referral bonus scheme for successful candidate and client introductions
• Promotion salary uplifts on progression to Manager level (typically 55k-70k)

Work‑Life Balance

• Hybrid working arrangements (typically 2-3 days in office per week with flexibility to accommodate personal circumstances and client meetings)
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing to 27 days after 3 years service)
• Additional holiday purchase scheme (buy up to 5 extra days)
• Flexible working hours to support work‑life balance
• Early finish Fridays during quieter periods outside peak season (typically March-December)
• Reduced hours during summer months where client demands allow

Career Progression & Development

• Clear progression pathway to Manager level (typically 12-18 months for high performers with defined competency framework and regular progress reviews)
• Structured leadership development programme including management training coaching skills and business development workshops
• Mentoring and coaching from experienced managers and partners
• Continued professional development with access to technical training webinars conferences and industry updates
• Support for CTA qualification (for ATT‑qualified candidates) including full exam fees study materials and paid study leave
• Access to national training academy and specialist technical resources
• Opportunities for specialism in areas such as trusts international tax or family office services
• Regular performance reviews with clear feedback and development planning
• Secondment opportunities to specialist teams or other offices within the group

Additional Benefits

• Modern city centre office (excellent transport links including Metrolink rail and bus; 5-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly)
• Pension scheme with employer contributions (matched up to 5%)
• Professional subscriptions paid (CTA / ATT membership fees and professional indemnity insurance)
• Health and wellbeing support including employee assistance programme mental health first aiders and wellbeing initiatives
• Income protection insurance
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Modern IT equipment including laptop dual screens and mobile phone for home working
• Social events and team activities throughout the year including summer and Christmas parties team lunches and charity events
• Access to national resources including technical helplines specialist teams knowledge‑sharing platforms and precedent libraries
• Charitable giving scheme with matched funding
• Long service awards and recognition programmes

Location & Working Arrangements

Our clients Manchester office is situated in the heart of the city centre offering :

• Excellent transport links : 5-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly station direct Metrolink access (St Peters Square and Deansgate-Castlefield) and multiple bus routes
• Modern professional workspace with collaborative working areas private meeting rooms quiet focus spaces and breakout areas
• Hybrid working flexibility : Typically 2-3 days per week in the office (Tuesday Wednesday Thursday) with flexibility to accommodate personal circumstances client meetings and team requirements
• City centre amenities : Surrounded by cafés restaurants shops gyms cultural venues and professional services
• Secure bike storage and shower facilities for cyclists
• On-site facilities including kitchen areas break rooms and collaborative spaces

Typical Working Pattern

• Office days : Tuesday Wednesday Thursday (flexible based on team needs and client meetings)
• Home working : Monday Friday (flexible)
• Core hours : 9 : 00am - 5 : 30pm with flexibility outside peak season
• Peak season (January - February) : Increased office presence may be required to support team collaboration and client service during self‑assessment deadline
• Client meetings : Flexibility to work from client sites or attend external meetings as required

Career Progression: Your Future With This Practice

This role offers a clearly defined progression pathway to Manager level and beyond with genuine opportunities for ambitious individuals to advance their careers within a supportive meritocratic environment that promotes from within.

Your Career Journey

Year 1 (Personal Tax Assistant Manager - Current Role)

• Consolidate team leadership skills and build supervisory capabilities
• Develop complex technical expertise in HNW tax planning and advisory
• Build strong client relationships and demonstrate consistent high-quality delivery
• Contribute to business development and practice growth
• Demonstrate readiness for Manager-level responsibilities

Year 1-2 (Personal Tax Manager)

• Assume full portfolio management responsibility with larger more complex clients
• Lead on significant tax planning projects and advisory engagements
• Take ownership of business development activities including networking proposals and client acquisition
• Manage and develop a larger team with full performance management responsibilities
• Contribute to strategic practice development and thought leadership
• Typical salary range : 55000 - 70000 bonus

Year 3-5 (Senior Manager)

• Manage key client relationships and strategic accounts
• Lead practice development initiatives and drive growth
• Mentor and develop managers and assistant managers
• Represent the practice externally and build market profile
• Contribute to partner‑level strategic decisions
• Typical salary range : 65000 - 85000 bonus

Year 5 (Associate Director / Partner Track)

• Opportunities to progress to Associate Director and Partner positions within the wider group
• Equity partnership opportunities for exceptional performers
• Strategic leadership responsibilities and practice ownership

The practice has a proven track record of promoting from within with numerous examples of assistant managers progressing to manager senior manager and partner positions. Your development will be supported through regular performance reviews mentoring leadership training and clear feedback on your progress towards promotion.

How to Apply: Take the Next Step in Your Career

If youre an experienced personal tax professional ready to step into team leadership with a Top 40 practice that offers genuine progression high-quality clients and comprehensive support wed love to hear from you.

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity and to learn more about how this role could accelerate your personal tax career into management please contact :

Jake Harris

Recruitment Consultant Accountancy Practice

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions

Please include your CV and a brief cover note outlining your relevant personal tax experience current qualifications (ATT / CTA status) supervisory experience and salary expectations.

We welcome applications from candidates at various stages of their CTA journey. If youre ATT qualified with significant experience and genuine commitment to CTA progression wed still love to hear from you.

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions is committed to providing a transparent ethical recruitment service. All candidate information is treated in the strictest confidence and we will always seek your explicit consent before submitting your details to any client. We specialise in recruitment for accountancy and legal practices across the UK offering a personalised professional service built on integrity and genuine partnerships.