Practice Manager/Accountant

Baltic Recruitment Services Limited; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Baltic Recruitment Services Limited is seeking a Permanent Practice Manager/Accountant for a client in Ilkley, West Yorkshire. The role offers full-time or part-time hours, with potential 1-2 days remote.

You will manage a significant client portfolio, provide commercial financial insight, and lead the accounting team to improve profitability and service standards. The role requires ACA/ACCA or equivalent, strong taxation knowledge, and experience with statutory accounts.

Qualifications

• ACA, ACCA, or equivalent professional accounting qualification or qualified by experience.
• Strong taxation knowledge and practical experience.
• Experience reviewing statutory accounts and tax work.
• Excellent client relationship and communication skills.
• Previous team leadership or management experience.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary point of contact for a portfolio of clients, building trusted long-term relationships.
• Review accounts, tax returns, and other work to ensure technical accuracy and compliance.
• Ensure timely billing, fee collection, and portfolio profitability.
• Lead and develop UK-based accounting staff and manage the shared services team in India.
• Support business development and prepare tailored proposals with director involvement.
• Maintain up-to-date technical knowledge through CPD and industry publications.

Skills

Client relationship management

Leadership / management

Tax knowledge

Attention to detail

Organisation

Excel and Word proficiency

Education

ACA/ACCA or equivalent

Tools

Excel

Word

Cloud-based accounting software

Job description

Job Description

Baltic Recruitment are currently recruiting for a Permanent Practice Manager/Accountant for a client located in Ilkley, West Yorkshire. This role can be Full Time or Part Time, working with volume small clients.

Our client are seeking a well-rounded individual with some tax knowledge and experience to take responsibility for a significant portfolio of client fees while playing a key leadership role within the practice.

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded professional who enjoys building client relationships, leading people, driving operational improvements, and contributing to business growth.

This is an office based role however, our client would consider working from home 1-2 days a week.

Practice Manager/Accountant Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Client Relationship Management

• Act as the primary point of contact for a portfolio of clients, building trusted long-term relationships.
• Review and discuss financial statements and reports with clients, providing clear commercial insight.
• Prepare and maintain client profile summaries.
• Analyse financial information and recommend practical actions to improve business performance.
• Provide proactive advice on accounting, taxation, profitability, and business improvement opportunities.
• Negotiate engagement terms and service agreements where appropriate.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of client information and ensure compliance with professional standards.
• Identify and report potential money laundering risks in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Accounts & Tax Review

• Review accounts, tax returns, and other work prepared by the accounts team to ensure technical accuracy and compliance.
• Assist the Head of Tax with technical tax matters and planning opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards, tax legislation, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide guidance and support to team members on complex accounting and taxation issues.

Account Management

• Ensure timely and accurate billing, fee collection, and overall portfolio profitability.
• Work closely with the shared services team in India to monitor invoice production and client fee collection.
• Liaise directly with clients where necessary to resolve billing or payment matters.
• Review and standardise client engagement letters and service documentation.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop UK-based accounting staff while effectively managing the shared services team in India.
• Foster collaboration across all office locations to deliver an exceptional client experience.
• Monitor workloads, deadlines, and quality standards to ensure efficient service delivery.
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying and implementing best practices across the practice.
• Support the management of office operations, IT systems, and security alongside senior leadership.

Business Development

• Support the Business Development Director in winning new business opportunities.
• Meet prospective clients to understand their requirements and prepare tailored proposals, with Director support where appropriate.
• Identify opportunities to expand services to existing clients through proactive relationship management.
• Contribute to the continued growth and development of the practice.

Professional Development

• Maintain up-to-date technical knowledge through CPD, professional training, industry publications, and networking.
• Keep informed of changes in accounting standards, tax legislation, and regulatory requirements.

Practice Manager/Accountant Applicants:

• ACA, ACCA, or equivalent professional accounting qualification or qualified by experience.
• Strong taxation knowledge and practical experience.
• Experience reviewing statutory accounts and tax work.
• Excellent client relationship and communication skills.
• Previous team leadership or management experience.
• Strong commercial awareness and problem-solving ability.
• High level of attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and cloud-based accounting software.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

We are happy to consider FT (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm) or PT (3-4 days, 9am-3pm) based at our client's Ilkley office, however once settled into the role; there is flexibility to work from home when needed. Salary is up to £50,000 DOE.