Client Manager / Assistant Accountant

Location York
Discipline: Public Practice
Job type: Permanent
Salary: £28,000 - £34,000 (DOE)
Contact name: Georgie Williams

Contact email: georgie@sirecruitment.com
Job ref: 23606
Published: about 13 hours ago

​Client Manager / Assistant Accountant
📍Location: York (up to 50% hybrid working)
💷Salary: £28,000 – £34,000 (depending on experience)

An established and forward-thinking accountancy practice in York is seeking an experienced Client Manager / Assistant Accountant to join its growing team. We are looking for a confident practice professional who is ready to take ownership of a varied SME client portfolio and play a key role in delivering high-quality accounting and tax services. This is not a data-entry position. The successful candidate will manage their own portfolio, ensure compliance deadlines are met, maintain strong technical standards, and build meaningful client relationships. The role is ideally suited to someone with a minimum of three years’ UK practice experience who is looking for greater responsibility, autonomy, and exposure to a broad range of work.

The Role

Client Portfolio Management

  • Managing and prioritising a portfolio of SME clients across a range of sectors

  • Acting as the first point of contact for day-to-day client queries

  • Proactively chasing records and managing statutory deadlines

  • Maintaining workflow and ensuring assignments are completed efficiently and accurately

Bookkeeping & VAT

  • Reviewing and/or preparing bookkeeping using cloud-based systems including Dext, Apron and Hubdoc

  • Performing bank reconciliations

  • Preparing and submitting VAT returns

  • Identifying VAT risks or anomalies prior to submission

Accounts Preparation

  • Preparing statutory accounts for:

    • Limited companies

    • Sole traders

    • Partnerships

  • Liaising with senior team members for review

  • Ensuring compliance with UK accounting standards

Tax Compliance

  • Preparing Personal Tax Returns

  • Preparing Corporation Tax Returns

  • Assisting with Making Tax Digital (MTD) client setup and compliance

  • Processing and onboarding new MTD IT clients

Administration & Team Support

  • Supporting client onboarding processes

  • Managing records chasing and deadline tracking

  • Assisting the wider team during peak periods

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Required Skills & Experience

Essential

  • Minimum 3 years’ UK accountancy practice experience

  • AAT qualified or actively studying

  • Experience preparing:

    • Statutory accounts

    • VAT returns

    • Personal and Corporation Tax returns

  • Strong experience using Xero

  • Solid Excel capability

  • Ability to manage workload independently and prioritise effectively

  • Strong organisational and task management skills

  • Confident communicator with clients

Desirable

  • Experience with QuickBooks and/or FreeAgent

  • Experience onboarding MTD clients

​

Personal Attributes

  • Calm under pressure during busy periods

  • Professional yet personable approach

  • Strong attention to detail

  • Positive team attitude with a good sense of humour

​

What’s on Offer

  • Competitive salary: £28,000 – £34,000

  • 23 days annual leave plus statutory holidays

  • Hybrid working (up to 50% remote working)

  • Office hours:

    • 9:00am – 5:00pm Monday to Thursday

    • 9:00am – 4:00pm Friday

  • Employer pension contribution

  • Health insurance

  • Free parking

REF: 23606