Trust Manager

Oculus Legal Group; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

Oculus Legal Group in Birmingham is seeking an experienced Trust Manager to lead a portfolio of trusts and estates within the Trusts, Estates & Tax team. You will oversee accounting, tax returns, and ongoing administration while liaising with solicitors, trustees, beneficiaries and advisers.

The role offers a balance of technical work and client relationship management, with responsibility for workload and meeting regulatory deadlines.

Qualifications

• Experience in trust administration or private client tax.
• Experience in a legal or professional services environment.
• Strong knowledge of Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax related to trusts.
• Experience with trust accounts and SA900 tax returns.
• Strong numerical and analytical ability.
• Excellent organisation and attention to detail.
• Good communication and client relationship skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of trusts and estates and oversee their administration and accounting.
• Prepare and review annual trust and estate accounts.
• Complete SA900 Trust and Estate Tax Returns.
• Prepare R185 certificates and carry out tax pool calculations.
• Assist with Capital Gains Tax calculations and CGT returns.
• Support Inheritance Tax compliance including IHT100s and schedules.
• Monitor deadlines and liaise with HMRC and advisers.
• Review investment portfolios and maintain records (deeds, minutes, resolutions).
• Develop processes and share knowledge with junior team members.

Skills

Trust accounting

Taxation knowledge

Numerical ability

Excel proficiency

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Tools

Excel

Job description

Trust Manager Birmingham Legal 500

Salary: up to £55,000

I'm currently working with a well-established and highly regarded law firm with a strong presence across the Midlands, who are looking to appoint an experienced Trust Manager to join their Trusts, Estates & Tax team in Birmingham.

The team works with individuals, families and business owners on a wide range of trust, estate and tax matters, providing ongoing support with the administration and management of trusts and estates.

This is a great opportunity for someone with a strong background in trust administration or trust accounting who is looking for a varied position with plenty of responsibility and regular client interaction.

The Role:

You'll take responsibility for a portfolio of trusts and estates, overseeing the accounting, tax and administration requirements while working closely with solicitors, trustees, beneficiaries and external advisers.

The role offers a good balance of technical work and relationship management, with the opportunity to become a key point of contact for clients and take ownership of your workload.

What you'll be doing:

• Managing a portfolio of trusts and estates and overseeing their ongoing administration
• Preparing and reviewing annual trust and estate accounts
• Completing and submitting SA900 Trust and Estate Tax Returns
• Preparing R185 certificates and carrying out tax pool calculations
• Assisting with Capital Gains Tax calculations and relevant property CGT returns
• Supporting Inheritance Tax compliance, including IHT100s and supporting schedules
• Dealing with 10-year anniversary and exit charge calculations
• Monitoring trust distributions, transactions, loans and changes in assets
• Reviewing and reconciling investment portfolios
• Maintaining accurate records, including deeds, minutes and resolutions
• Ensuring Trust Registration Service information is accurate and up to date
• Managing key tax and compliance deadlines
• Corresponding with HMRC and dealing with queries where required
• Liaising with investment managers, accountants, brokers, property agents and other professional advisers
• Assisting with the setup and onboarding of new trust and estate matters
• Acting as a trusted contact for trustees, executors and beneficiaries
• Providing technical support to solicitors and the wider team
• Identifying opportunities to improve processes and systems
• Supporting and sharing knowledge with more junior members of the team

About you:

• Previous experience within trust administration, trust accounting or private client tax
• Experience working with trusts and estates within a legal or professional services environment
• Good understanding of Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax in relation to trusts and estates
• Experience with trust accounts and SA900 tax returns
• Strong numerical and analytical ability
• Confident using Excel and working with financial information
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail
• Comfortable working independently and managing multiple deadlines
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• Able to explain technical information clearly and confidently
• Client-focused with a natural ability to build strong professional relationships

What's on Offer?

• The opportunity to join a well-established Midlands law firm
• A varied role with responsibility for your own portfolio
• Exposure to a broad range of trust, estate and tax matters
• The opportunity to work closely with experienced private client solicitors
• Regular contact with trustees, beneficiaries and professional advisers
• A supportive and collaborative team environment
• The opportunity to further develop your technical knowledge and take ownership of client relationships