Accounts and Tax Manager

Accounts and Tax Manager

The Trust Administration team is part of the well-established and top level Private Client team at Russell-Cooke.

The team’s role is in two principal areas: assisting fee-earners in the wider Private Client team with estate accounts and tax returns for estates and individuals; and, managing a number of long-standing trusts and funds on a daily basis. 

This Accounts and Tax Manager role is for the general work in the Private Client team in assisting fee-earners with preparation of estate accounts and also the related tax return and tax administration work, often working directly with the Personal Representative clients.  There will also be work preparing personal returns for clients and again working directly with them.

The Private Client team acts for a wide variety of estates and individuals, including many wealthy clients often with cross-border elements.  The work can be complex and will include involvement with property and share portfolios, discretionary and life interest trusts in estates, family wealth management, and also general tax and accounting advice on other specific matters within the Private Client team.  The work is predominantly accounting-based, yet will require an excellent understanding of the tax treatment of estates, related trusts and individuals.  It will involve significant interaction with the wider Private Client planning team to ensure a complete service to clients.  We also assist with operating the firm’s trust company, Russell-Cooke Trust Company (RCTC), which acts as a professional executor and trustee.

You will have a reasonable understanding of the firm’s values and culture and will be keen to raise the profile of the team. You will represent our clients to the highest standard and you will be eager to broaden your range of expertise and skills.  You will be pro-active and independent.

Key Responsibilities and Duties include:

Main Duties:

• Assisting fee-earners in the Private Client team with their preparation of full and detailed estate accounts, estate tax returns and beneficiary income statements
• Preparing individual tax returns and liaising directly with clients
• Preparing 30 day CGT returns for estates and individuals
• Co-ordinating tax payments and clearance for individuals and estates
• Assisting with preparation of accounts information needed for IHT100 returns in relation to Will Trusts
• Data input for estate and will trust accounting of bank, brokers and dividend information into team’s pro-forma estate accounts
• Reconciling to third party and internal accounts records
• Monitoring of client funds
• Contact with other professional advisors as well as clients
• Supporting the RCTC board of directors by way of reporting on the estates which RCTC is executor of

Client Relations:

• To provide a high quality service to all Russell-Cooke clients (within team and externally)
• To develop and maintain good client relationship skills, gaining clients’ confidence and that of other professionals
• Receive requests for advice from current and potential clients and deciding on the most appropriate responses to make to these requests
• Establishing what needs to be done to solve a client’s problems

Personal Development:

• Develop this area of work to increase work for the wider team
• Maintain professional development in your professional body
• Support internal procedures and systems of Russell-Cooke including file and financial management
• Participate in team meetings
• Attend internal training and external training as and when required
• Read journals and attend courses as part of continuing professional development
• Maintain high standards of professional conduct while generating adequate practice income, ensuring that the fees earned sufficiently exceed total costs and expenses incurred

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Qualifications & Experience           

• We are looking for a candidate who is qualified of a relevant professional accounting or tax body and/or a STEP member
• At least 10 years’ experience in a practical accountancy background
• Income, Gains and Inheritance Tax detailed knowledge
• IT literate, with excellent working knowledge of Excel
• Previous experience of using CCH Personal Tax or similar software is essential, and experience of CCH Trust Accounts is an advantage.  These are used for management of long-standing trusts in the team and will be of use for tax returns and some aspects of estate accounting.

Motivation & Competencies

• Evidence of interest in, and commitment to, the success of the firm. Relevant experience within a professional services firm.
• Understanding of and commitment to Russell-Cooke’s values and ethos which can be seen on our website.
• Excellent communication both written and verbal - the role involves liaison with internal and external people at a senior level
• A self-starter, able to demonstrate high levels of initiative and motivation, but also work closely with other team members and displaying trust and loyalty
• Ability to manage assigned tasks in an assertive, efficient and timely manner
• Good interpersonal skills, demonstrating professionalism in all dealings.
• Excellent attention to detail and a positive professional attitude
• Must be able to multitask and keep calm under pressure
• The flexibility to work outside normal office hours as may be required from time to time

We have a diverse workforce and aim to attract high calibre applicants that reflect the demography of our geographical location and client base. Individuals will be employed solely on merit and the requirement of the position. No applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of sex, race, marital status, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender Identity or religion. Reasonable adjustments will be made to eliminate or reduce disadvantage.

Please submit your CV and cover letter which should also include answers to the questions in the attached supporting document.