Client Accountant (Part Qualified ICAEW or ACCA) - #2159597

About HMS Accountancy

HMS Accountancy is a fast-growing firm of chartered accountants and tax advisers based in Manchester city centre. We act for a varied portfolio of small, medium and large businesses.

Our services cover compliance, tax advisory, fractional CFO support and business advisory. We work across all industries, such as property, retail, health and social care, and medical and aesthetics.

We pride ourselves on the level of care and commitment we bring to our clients, and that approach is something we want to continue building on as the firm grows.

About you & The Opportunity

You are a part-qualified accountant (ACCA or ICAEW) with 2–4 years’ experience in UK public practice, looking for a genuine challenge and broad exposure across accounting, tax and advisory.

You have grit, initiative and a strong commitment to client service. You don’t simply complete tasks - you look for solutions, understand the wider commercial context and take ownership. You are technically strong and have the curiosity to research, learn and develop well-reasoned answers when matters go beyond routine compliance.

This is our first hire and a rare opportunity to join a young, growing firm at an early stage and help shape what comes next. You’ll work across a broad range of clients and industries, gaining hands-on experience in compliance, reporting, tax, systems, process improvement and advisory work - rather than being pigeonholed into one area.

The role is designed as a genuine progression towards becoming a fully qualified Client Manager, with the opportunity to ultimately build and lead your own team and portfolio of clients. We plan to grow the team quickly, and you will play a key role in that growth.

You’ll be mentored directly by our Managing Director, a Top 10 and Big 4-trained adviser who has spent his career developing accountants, from graduates through to qualified professionals at PwC.

Key responsibilities

• Onboarding new clients and managing day-to-day client communications.
• Managing workflow across the portfolio and ensuring deadlines are met.
• Bookkeeping for multiple clients, primarily using Xero, including purchase and sales ledgers.
• Preparing annual accounts under FRS 102 Section 1A and the Companies Act 2006.
• Preparing Self Assessment tax returns and supporting basic tax planning.
• Processing payroll, including fixed and variable RTI submissions.
• Dealing with HMRC by phone and in writing, including correspondence, enquiries and Government Gateway matters.
• Preparing management accounts, budgets and forecasts, with opportunities to support more complex management accounting and Fractional CFO work.
• Maintaining accurate, well-organised client records and working papers.
• Helping develop and improve our processes, systems and use of technology, including AI where it can genuinely improve efficiency or client outcomes.
• Supporting the wider practice with ad hoc administration and problem-solving.

Essential experience and skills

• 2 – 4 years’ experience in UK public practice, with strong practical accounting knowledge.
• Bookkeeping is second nature, with a solid understanding of double-entry accounting.
• Good working knowledge of VAT, including preparing and reviewing VAT returns.
• Experience preparing financial statements under FRS 102, with a solid understanding of standard working papers schedules and extended trial balance (ETB) preparation.
• Exposure to basic management accounting, including budgeting and forecasting.
• Strong analytical skills and a keen eye for detail.
• Experience preparing and submitting Self Assessment tax returns, with a good understanding of the underlying income tax principles.
• Basic tax planning knowledge, particularly around income and dividend planning.
• Able to explain financial information clearly to clients without a finance background.
• Confident using Xero, Dext and Hubdoc. QuickBooks and FreeAgent experience is advantageous.
• Comfortable dealing with HMRC by phone and in writing, including basic enquiries.
• A proactive approach to improving processes, systems and ways of working.
• Comfortable working across multiple accounting systems, adapting quickly to new technology, and genuinely interested in how technology and AI can improve internal processes and client work.

Ideal, but not essential

• Management accounting, forecasting, budgeting and scenario planning experience.
• Exposure to group and holding company structures.
• Experience or exposure to Fractional CFO or advisory work.
• Exposure to more complex VAT areas, including the Flat Rate Scheme, Partial Exemption and Margin Scheme.
• Knowledge of TaxCalc and/or Engager.app.

What We offer

• Competitive salary of £27,000 to £29,000 (DOE)
• Study sponsorship for the right candidate after successful probation, with time off for study and exams
• Workplace pension
• Three days per week or full-time, depending on your preference. For a part-time candidate, we would ideally be looking for someone with the flexibility and ambition to grow into the role and increase their hours as the firm develops.
• Office-based in Manchester city centre
• Direct mentoring from a Big 4 and Top 10 trained adviser
• A path to Client Manager, with your own portfolio and sub-team
• Ongoing training and progression opportunities
• Immediate start available