Senior Qualified Accountant

Knightwell Recruitment; Wells; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Knightwell Recruitment is seeking an experienced Portfolio Manager for a Chartered Accountancy Practice in the UK. You will manage SME and business portfolios, acting as the primary contact for service delivery including accounts, tax, VAT, and secretarial matters.

You will lead, mentor and develop junior staff, while ensuring high standards and proactive client relationship management. Agricultural clients experience is useful but not essential.

Qualifications

• ACA or ACCA qualified (Essential).
• 3–5 years post-qualified experience in a UK accountancy practice.
• Experience managing a client portfolio and reviewing accounts/tax work.
• Previous team management or mentoring experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of SME clients as the main contact.
• Build and maintain long-term client relationships.
• Review and prepare statutory accounts per FRS 102/105.
• Review and prepare corporation & personal tax returns.
• Assist with tax planning and advisory work.
• Oversee VAT returns and company secretarial matters.
• Mentor trainee/accountants and review their work.
• Support billing and identify new service opportunities.

Skills

Client management

Team leadership

Communication

Time management

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Education

ACA or ACCA qualified

Tools

Xero

QuickBooks

Sage

FreeAgent

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job Summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Portfolio Manager to join a well-established and growing Chartered Accountancy Practice.

Working from the firm's office on a daily basis, you will manage a diverse portfolio of clients, primarily consisting of sole traders, partnerships and SME businesses. Acting as the main point of contact, you will oversee all aspects of client service delivery, including statutory accounts, tax compliance, VAT, company secretarial matters and business advisory services.

This is a hands‑on, client‑facing position requiring excellent technical accounting knowledge, strong leadership skills and the ability to develop long‑term client relationships.

The successful candidate will also play a key role in managing and developing junior members of the team, ensuring high standards of client service and technical delivery.

Experience working with agricultural or farming clients would be advantageous but is not essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of SME clients, acting as their primary point of contact.
• Build and maintain strong, long‑term client relationships.
• Review and prepare statutory accounts in accordance with FRS 102 and FRS 105.
• Review and prepare corporation tax and personal tax returns.
• Assist with tax planning and advisory work.
• Oversee the preparation and review of VAT returns.
• Manage company secretarial matters where required.
• Supervise, mentor and develop trainee and junior accountants.
• Review work completed by junior members of the team.
• Ensure compliance with UK accounting standards and tax legislation.
• Monitor work in progress (WIP) and assist with monthly billing.
• Identify opportunities to introduce additional services and support business development initiatives.

Reporting Structure

Reporting to:

• Director

Managing:

• Junior Accountants
• Trainee Accountants

About You

Qualifications

• ACA or ACCA Qualified (Essential)

Experience

Minimum 3-5 years' post-qualified experience within a UK Accountancy Practice.

Previous experience as a Portfolio Manager, Client Manager, Accounts Manager or Senior Accountant.

Strong experience managing a client portfolio.

Experience reviewing accounts and tax work.

Previous team management or mentoring experience.

Technical Skills

Strong knowledge of FRS 102 and FRS 105.

Excellent understanding of UK Corporation Tax and Personal Tax.

VAT knowledge and compliance experience.

Experience reviewing statutory accounts.

Good commercial awareness and problem‑solving ability.

Strong organisational and time management skills.

High attention to detail.

Software Experience

Experience using one or more of the following:

• Xero
• QuickBooks
• Sage
• FreeAgent
• Microsoft Excel

Personal Attributes

Professional and client‑focused.

Strong communicator with excellent interpersonal skills.

Organised and able to manage multiple deadlines.

Proactive with a positive attitude.

A supportive team player with strong leadership qualities.

Ambitious and motivated to contribute to the continued growth of the practice.