Affinia is a leading, UK Top 50 Accountancy firm and growing. Through successful acquisitions and organic growth, the firm has seen significant development within the last 18 months. In October 2024 we launched our new brand ‘Affinia’ (www.affinia.co.uk) which saw the coming together of LB Group and 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, Orpington, Sidcup 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 Manager you will be part of a growing, successful, forward thinking and dynamic tax department. This role involves significant leadership, strategic financial management, high-level client relationship management, and driving growth for the Tax Service Line.

The role requires an experienced manager of compliance processes and workflow, however there is also ample opportunity to get involved in high-value advisory work for a varied portfolio of individuals, owner-managed businesses and large corporates.
You will be involved in the delivery of ad hoc projects and the preparation of bespoke tax planning reports. Having a commercial mindset will be key as you will need to play a role in business development. This includes spotting opportunities for growth within existing clients and pitching for new business.

As well as guiding and mentoring a team of tax staff, you will also need to play a pivotal role in supporting the leaders of the Tax Service Line in delivering a strategic and successful approach.

We operate a hybrid working model, so you will split your time between the office, client sites when required, and from home when you are able.

We provide both technical/hard and ‘soft’ skills training through platforms such as Tolley’s, Mercia, Croner-i and LinkedIn Learning.

Accountabilities:
• Management of a large portfolio of complex tax clients.
• Management of the entire team’s compliance cycle, from overseeing the preparation of documents, subsequent reviews, advising clients directly of their tax positions and submission to HMRC.
• Lead annual filing processes for all manner of compliance matters.
• Complete and review complex compliance work to the highest of standards and using this touch point as an opportunity to identify tax planning opportunities and subsequently pursue them.
• Line managing and mentoring of junior members of the tax team.
• Assisting with the internal tax training of staff within the team.
• Consistently act as an example to the staff around you and demonstrate the importance of integrity and high-quality work.
• Working collaboratively with staff across all our office locations to constantly improve our compliance processes and ensure that we continue to be at the cutting edge of tax technology enabling efficient delivery of quality tax work.
• Promote the Tax Service Line across the group and assist teams in other locations with tax matters.
• Supporting both leaders of the business and the wider tax team, with ad hoc advisory work, including the initial scoping out of projects, providing fee quotes, and assisting with the delivery of high-quality tax reports.
• Building and maintaining key relationships with clients and other professional third parties.
• Leading client meetings with complex clients and acting as a trusted advisor to them.
• Working in tandem with staff from other service lines to ensure a ‘joined up’ approach.
• Continually monitoring key KPI’s across your portfolio and the team such as WIP, billing and debtors and ensuring our functions are operating in a profitable manner.   
• Drive new business opportunities across the client base and liaise with senior staff with the engagement of new clients. Strive to maximise fee revenues and constantly add value.

Skills/Qualifications:
• CTA qualification preferred. 
• Strong tax technical knowledge and advisory experience. 
• A continued aspiration to further your skill set.          
• The ability to spot tax planning opportunities and progress these independently with clients. 
• Proven track record of managing a varied tax portfolio. 
• The ability to work autonomously and lead others.  
• Excellent organisational skills. 
• The ability to review other people’s work and develop junior staff through clear and constructive feedback. 
• The ability to build a rapport and develop strong relationships with clients, colleagues, and external stakeholders.