Practice Manager (Accountancy)

Apex Business Consultants Ltd; Wales; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Apex Business Consultants Ltd in South Wales seeks an experienced Accountancy Practice Manager to lead its Accounts & Client Services team, driving efficiency, client care, and continuous process improvement using cloud tools.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Practice Manager will own daily operations, manage accountants and bookkeepers, champion Xero, QuickBooks and TaxCalc, ensure compliance, and provide MI to the Senior Leadership Team.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with 4+ years post-qualification in an accountancy practice.
• Experience leading accountants and support staff.
• Hands-on proficiency with Xero, QuickBooks and TaxCalc.
• Proven ability to drive process improvements and migrations.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and mentor a team of accounting professionals to meet deadlines.
• Oversee daily workflow across bookkeeping, compliance and advisory services.
• Champion cloud tools and process improvements to streamline delivery.
• Manage client escalations with strong service levels and retention focus.
• Ensure GDPR/AML compliance and quality standards.
• Produce operational performance data for senior leadership.

Skills

Team leadership

Process improvement

Client relationship management

Operational oversight

Education

Qualified accountant (AAT/ACCA/CIMA)

Tools

Xero

QuickBooks

TaxCalc

Job description

Our client - A modern, tech-enabled accountancy practice in South Wales is seeking an experienced Accountancy Practice Manager to lead its Accounts & Client Services team. Known for leveraging leading cloud accounting platforms, the firm prioritises exceptional client care, efficiency, and continuous process improvement.

Due to ongoing growth, this newly created leadership position will take full ownership of daily operational delivery and team management.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, the Practice Manager acts as the operational engine of the business. This high-impact role combines team leadership, workflow optimization, client escalation, and technical oversight across a varied portfolio of SME clients.

Key Responsibilities:

• Team Leadership & Development: Manage, coach, and mentor a team of Accountants and Bookkeepers, driving performance, capacity planning, and resourcing across key statutory deadlines.
• Operational Excellence: Oversee daily workflow accuracy and efficiency across bookkeeping, compliance, and advisory services.
• Tech & Process Champion: Drive the adoption and effective use of modern cloud tools (Xero, QuickBooks, TaxCalc) to streamline delivery and execute process improvement projects.
• Client Experience & Escalation: Serve as the primary point of contact for complex client enquiries, maintaining high service standards and resolving escalations within agreed SLAs.
• Compliance & Quality Assurance: Ensure full practice compliance across GDPR, Anti-Money Laundering (AML), and professional accounting standards.
• Management Information: Produce and present regular operational performance data to the Senior Leadership Team to shape commercial decisions.

What We Are Looking For

• Qualifications: Qualified accountant (AAT, ACCA, or CIMA) with a minimum of 4 years’ post-qualification experience within an accountancy practice.
• Leadership Experience: Proven track record leading, motivating, and managing accountants and support staff.
• Technical & Systems Expertise: Strong, up-to-date SME accounting/tax knowledge alongside hands‑on proficiency in Xero, QuickBooks, and TaxCalc.
• Process Driver: Demonstrated success in driving practice process improvements or leading software/system migrations.
• Management Style: A resilient, collaborative, and forward-thinking leader with a client-first approach.

Why Consider This Role?

• True Ownership: Take full operational ownership of a talented team and portfolio, directly shaping how the practice operates.
• Modern Work Culture: Join a forward-thinking practice committed to modern cloud tech rather than outdated legacy systems.
• Growth & Investment: Benefit from genuine ongoing investment in personal and professional development.