Practice Manager - Independent Firm

Practice Manager

Independent Accountancy Firm

£45,000 - £55,000

Sutton Coldfield

The Role:

We are an established accountancy practice seeking an experienced Office & Practice Manager to take on a key senior role within the firm. The successful candidate will work closely with the Director and form an important part of the practice’s long-term management structure.

Practice Management

• Take responsibility for the effective day-to-day organisation and management of the practice.
• Oversee workflow across accounts, corporation tax, personal tax, VAT, bookkeeping, payroll, CIS and company secretarial work.
• Allocate work, manage workloads and priorities, and ensure client, HMRC and Companies House deadlines are met.
• Monitor outstanding work, delays, client information and agreed actions, ensuring matters are followed through.
• Supervise and support staff, including workflow meetings, performance oversight and development needs.
• Oversee staff holidays, absences, office cover and resource planning.
• Monitor practice-wide WIP, completed assignments and billing.
• Oversee client onboarding and ensure that required internal procedures and documentation are completed.
• Work closely with the Director to maintain efficient operations and appropriate standards of quality, compliance and client service.

Client Portfolio & Technical Responsibilities

• Manage an allocated portfolio of clients and take end-to-end responsibility from planning and preparation through to review, client clearance, finalisation and billing.
• Prepare and review year-end accounts and supporting working papers, together with management accounts and financial reports where required.
• Manage and review bookkeeping, bank reconciliations, journals, accruals, prepayments and year-end adjustments.
• Prepare and review VAT returns and Making Tax Digital requirements, including MTD for Income Tax (MTD ITSA).
• Prepare and review Self Assessment tax returns, corporation tax computations and returns, and CIS returns where applicable.
• Liaise with HMRC, Companies House, pension providers and other external organisations on behalf of clients.
• Provide practical accounting and taxation advice, identifying additional services or support that may benefit clients.

Client Meetings & Finalisation

• Conduct accounts finalisation and clearance meetings for clients within the allocated portfolio, covering the accounts, business performance, taxation position and relevant matters arising.
• Document and complete actions arising from client meetings through to finalisation.
• Where the Director is conducting the client clearance meeting, ensure that the file is fully reviewed and ready in advance, with a concise briefing covering significant movements, unusual items, tax liabilities, outstanding matters, points requiring client confirmation, and matters requiring discussion or advice.
• Resolve outstanding queries wherever possible before Director-led meetings, and ensure that subsequent amendments and actions are completed promptly.

Experience Required:

• Substantial previous experience in a senior management role within a UK accountancy practice is essential.

Qualifications:

Candidates may be ACA or ACCA qualified, part-qualified, or qualified by experience (QBE). Formal qualification is not essential where the candidate has substantial relevant experience within a UK accountancy practice.

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