Director: Tax – Private Client Advisory (VAR004)

Affinia is a leading, UK Top 50 Accountancy firm. Through successful acquisitions and organic growth, the firm has seen significant development within the last 18 months. Last October we launched our new brand ‘Affinia’ (www.affinia.co.uk) which saw the coming together of LB Group and six other likeminded firms across the East & South East of England to form a combined challenger accounting, tax and business advisory firm.

With a combined heritage spanning over 300 years, we have more than 400 accountancy professionals based in Stratford, Colchester, Chelmsford, Ipswich, Halstead, Harlow, Leigh on Sea, Orpington, Sidcup, Leigh-on-sea and Sutton. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across seven principal practice groups: Accountancy & Advisory, Tax and Planning, Audit Services, Corporate Finance, Digital Solutions, Payroll and Financial Planning.

We have invested continuously in technology and gained in-depth knowledge across a broad range of markets, growing through acquisitions and private investment. We offer an exceptional service to our clients, with access to our sector experts to develop the strategy that will help them reach their goals. We keep a finger on the industry pulse, so our clients receive the best short to medium and long-term advice.

Purpose of the role:

As a Director within our Private Client team, you will be responsible for continuing to grow our Private Client offering within the firm both internally within the existing client portfolio but also externally through your own professional contacts and connections. You will act as a key advisor to clients, supporting business development efforts and identifying opportunities to add value. Internally, you will oversee and mentor Managers and Senior Managers, role model the firm’s values, and contribute to service line strategy, operational projects, and change initiatives. You’ll take ownership of process improvements, risk management, and cross-location collaboration, while supporting the Director or Service Line Head in achieving team and firm-wide objectives.

You will be supported in your role with line management and leadership training as well as CPD access via Tolley’s, Croner-i, Mercia and LinkedIn Learning as required. Together with your line manager you will craft a development plan that sees you succeed in your role and plan for the next step should you wish to take it.

Accountabilities:

You will be required to manage a comprehensive and complex client list, provide line and performance management and make a significant contribution to ongoing growth of a successful Private Client tax practice. You will have a direct contribution to the development and achievement of building the practice and will be required to build and maintain relationships with third parties, such as trustees, lawyers, wealth managers and more.  You will be expected to advise clients in connection with their tax affairs and onboard them to the team to offer bespoke advice.

You should already be working as an experienced senior manager and looking to develop your role considerably through technical advice, client management and business development.

Client and Portfolio Leadership 

• Lead service delivery for a portfolio of high-value or technically complex clients, ensuring timely, high-quality, and compliant output. 
• Experience of working with our target clients such as UHNWs/ HNW clients, family-owned, SMEs and not purely large corporate clients
• Experience in providing advice and implementing Inheritance Tax planning strategies including Family Investment Companies and Trusts structures

Commercial and Financial Management 

• Monitor WIP, billing, and recovery rates across your portfolio, taking proactive action to maximise profitability and manage overruns or scope creep. 
• Identify potential tax risks and cash savings opportunities, and support initiatives to manage the risks or realise the opportunities.

Strategic and Operational Contribution 

• Contribute insights to the development of service line and group strategy, particularly in any areas of specialism or market knowledge. 
• Support Directors and Service Line Leaders (SLLs) on strategic initiatives and internal planning projects. 

Professional skills/qualifications:

• CTA qualification or an equivalent professional tax qualification.
• Ideally 10+ years in practice with demonstrable experience managing large or complex clients
• Experience and ability to assist in managing the KPIs such as Chargeable Time, Recoveries, Utilisation and Gross Margin and take the necessary actions to improve the performance where needed.
• Track record in commercial portfolio management, billing oversight, and client retention 

Please use the ‘Apply Now’ button to view the full role and benefits package.