Small Business Portfolio Manager

We are looking for someone with experience in Personal Tax compliance to manage a portfolio of Self Assessment tax returns for individuals, landlords, and sole traders within a friendly and supportive accountancy practice based in Rayleigh, Essex.

This role focuses on the preparation and review of Self Assessment tax returns for individuals, landlords, and sole traders. It will involve regular communication with clients to obtain information, resolve queries, and support the completion of work. The portfolio is primarily made up of straightforward compliance work, with support from junior members of the team where appropriate.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys personal tax work, values autonomy, and is looking for a long-term, stable position within a collaborative practice environment.
Please note, this role does not involve any Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax filings, as this will be managed separately within the practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing a portfolio of personal tax clients (individuals, landlords, and sole traders)
• Preparing and reviewing Self Assessment tax returns
• Preparing sole trader accounts
• Liaising directly with clients to obtain information, respond to queries, and finalise tax returns and accounts
• Corresponding with HMRC where required
• Ensuring all deadlines are met in line with compliance requirements
• Reviewing work prepared by junior staff and providing guidance where necessary
• Supporting clients with day-to-day personal tax compliance matters
• Identifying basic tax planning opportunities where appropriate within a compliance-focused role

Person Specification

Experience preparing UK Self Assessment tax returns within an accountancy practice
Experience preparing sole trader accounts
Ability to manage a portfolio of clients independently
Strong organisational skills and ability to meet deadlines
Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
Confident communicator with a professional approach to client relationships
Experience supporting or reviewing work prepared by junior staff
Familiarity with tax and accounts software (e.g. Iris, Xero, Sage or similar) Experience handling regular client communication within a practice environment

About You

We are looking for someone with experience in personal tax compliance who enjoys the compliance side of tax and takes pride in delivering accurate, high-quality work for clients.

This role would suit someone who values:
• Ownership of their own client portfolio
• A stable and supportive working environment
• Regular client contact and relationship management
• A well-structured workload with junior support available where needed

What our client offer

• Competitive salary: £32,000 – £35,000 (depending on experience)
• Employer Pension Contributions
• Full-time, permanent position
• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and your birthday off
• Private health insurance after completion of probationary period
• Free on-site car parking
• Supportive and friendly team environment
• Assistance from junior staff to support workload
• Long-term opportunity within an established practice

Working Hours

• Our office hours are 9am till 5pm
• Office-based role, with flexibility to work from home by agreement once fully established in the role

Career Progression
This is a long-term role focused on personal tax compliance and client portfolio management. While there is scope to develop within the role, it is ideally suited to someone looking for stability and depth within personal tax rather than a fast-track progression into broader advisory or senior leadership roles.

For further information apply today or contact Kim Baker, ENS Recruitment Southend