Client Accountant

Potentiam Ltd; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A global provider of professionals is seeking a Client Accountant to manage a diverse UK/Ireland client portfolio. The successful candidate will have strong compliance experience and proficiency in cloud-based accounting systems, particularly Xero. This hands-on role requires attention to detail and excellent communication skills. Offering growth opportunities, this role is ideal for an accountant ready to make a significant impact in a tech-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years post-qualified experience, ACCA strongly preferred.
• At least 3 years in a practice environment with UK or Irish experience.
• Proven ability in preparing year-end financials and tax returns.

Responsibilities

• Manage a diverse portfolio of UK/Irish clients as their accounting contact.
• Prepare and review year-end accounts and all statutory compliance submissions.
• Guide clients through the transition to cloud-based systems.

Skills

Strong analytical mindset

Excellent communication skills

Attention to detail

Experience managing a large portfolio

Cloud-based accounting systems proficiency

Education

ACCA qualification

2 years post-qualified experience

Tools

Xero

Dext

QuickBooks

FreeAgent

payroll software

Job description

Potentiam is a global provider of highly qualified professionals to European SMEs, with offices in Romania, South Africa and India. We support clients across finance, energy, leisure, marketing, business services and technology, providing technical, professional, and multilingual staff – many of whom have experience working for international companies.

At Potentiam, we manage career development, training, infrastructure, HR and payroll, while our clients directly manage the day-to-day responsibilities and role-specific training of their teams. This gives our professionals the stability to grow, while gaining international exposure and career progression opportunities.

About Our Client

A tech-forward and rapidly scaling firm supporting over 2,500 international businesses across Ireland and the UK. They offer the full power of a modern finance department without the overhead, helping entrepreneurs, SMEs, and scaling companies thrive. With major growth underway and plans to double their workforce, this is an incredible opportunity to join a high-performance team delivering world-class financial compliance in a dynamic, digital environment. If you want meaningful client ownership, exposure to UK/Irish standards, and the chance to grow with a firm shaping the future of online accounting, this is the place for you.

The Role

We’re looking for a confident, detail-driven Client Accountant with strong UK/Irish practice experience who thrives in a fast-paced portfolio environment. You’ll manage your own book of clients, deliver exceptional accounting compliance work, and become a trusted advisor supported by a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team of accountants, bookkeepers, and payroll specialists.

This is not an audit role, it’s a hands‑on, client-facing accounting position perfect for someone who loves end‑to‑end compliance and real client impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a diverse portfolio of UK/Irish clients, acting as their main accounting contact.
• Prepare and review year‑end accounts, tax returns, and all statutory compliance submissions.
• Ensure accuracy and excellence across bookkeeping, VAT, payroll inputs, and financial reporting.
• Guide clients through the transition to cloud‑based systems, championing digital workflows.
• Build strong relationships through proactive communication and reliable delivery.
• Work cross‑functionally with internal teams to keep client operations smooth, efficient, and compliant.
• Continuously improve processes, bringing fresh ideas to a progressive, fast‑growing practice.

Skills & Experience

• Minimum 2 years post‑qualified (ACCA strongly preferred).
• At least 3 years in a practice environment - UK or Irish experience essential.
• Deep experience managing a large, multi‑sector client portfolio.
• Strong proficiency in Xero and cloud‑based accounting systems.
• Proven ability in preparing year‑end financials and tax returns.
• Not an audit‑focused profile - we need hands‑on accounting compliance expertise.
• High attention to detail, strong analytical mindset, and excellent communication skills.

Nice‑to‑Haves

• Experience supporting startups, SMEs or scaling businesses.
• Exposure to additional systems (Dext, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, payroll software).
• Passion for working in a tech‑driven environment.

This is your chance to step into a true growth environment where your work makes a visible impact. At Potentiam, you’ll build deep client relationships, broaden your UK/Irish technical expertise, and be part of a digital accounting firm that’s scaling rapidly, all while working with a supportive, collaborative team. This is your chance to start working on your future.

DISCLAIMER

The personal information you provide in connection with the submission of your job application or otherwise as part of a recruitment process is used and stored for use only in the execution of a recruitment process and in connection with a possible recruitment.

Our contact person for questions regarding processing of personal data in connection with HR activities is Chantal Endemann, who can be contacted on email at [e-mail]. The disclosure of your personal information to any third parties is in accordance with written agreements with the parties concerned that comply with the applicable rules, including confidentiality requirements and deletion of information after the recruitment process ends as per our data storage policy.