Senior Tax Manager - Private Client

Job Description – Senior Tax Manager – Private Client & Trust Services

Job Title: Senior Tax Manager – Private Client & Trust Services (PCTS)
Location: Worcester or Birmingham
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Hybrid Working: 60% Office Based
Reporting to: Private Client & Trust Services Partner

About Ballards

At Ballards, we're more than accountants, we're trusted business advisers, strategic partners, and problem solvers. Since 1985, we've been helping ambitious businesses, charities, and private clients achieve sustainable growth through expert accountancy, tax, audit, and consultancy services.

Today, with over 150 talented colleagues across the Midlands, we're proud to be one of the region's fastest-growing independent firms. Our success is built on lasting relationships, exceptional client service, and a collaborative, people-first culture where everyone has the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

What sets us apart is our integrated approach. Alongside our market-leading accounting and tax expertise, we provide specialist consultancy in technology transformation, talent strategy, and brand and digital marketing, enabling us to deliver innovative, forward-thinking solutions that help our clients succeed in an ever-changing world.

Joining Ballards means becoming part of a progressive and ambitious firm that invests in its people, encourages innovation, and supports professional development at every stage of your career. If you're looking to build your future with a firm where your ideas are valued, your development is championed, and your work makes a real difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Role Overview

At Ballards, we believe the best advice starts with truly understanding our clients. As our next Private Client & Trust Services Senior Manager, you'll build trusted relationships, work closely with Partners and become a recognised adviser to individuals, families and trustees, helping them navigate complex tax matters with confidence.

Leading our specialist Private Client & Trust Services team, you'll combine technical expertise with a proactive, commercial approach, overseeing our compliance offering, delivering high-quality advisory work and helping shape the continued growth of one of the firm's key service lines. It's an opportunity to make a real impact, both for our clients and for the future of the team.

Technical Responsibilities

• Lead the Personal and Trust Tax compliance service.
• Review and sign off Personal and Trust Tax Returns.
• Deliver advisory work covering Trusts, Inheritance Tax, CGT, offshore trusts and international tax matters.
• Oversee 60-day CGT Returns, Trust Registration Service, Trust IHT Returns and CRS reporting.
• Liaise with HMRC, clients and professional advisers.
• Manage complex client relationships and risk.

Leadership & Management

• Lead, coach and develop the Private Client & Trust Services team.
• Manage workflow, WIP, billing, recoveries and utilisation.
• Support recruitment, appraisals and training.
• Drive continuous improvement and quality standards.

Business Development

• Support the growth of the department through networking and client development.
• Contribute to technical marketing and leadership initiatives.

Key Performance Indicators

• Utilisation: 70%
• Compliance Recoveries: 80%
• Advisory Recoveries: 100%

Essential Requirements

• CTA, ACA or ACCA qualified (or equivalent experience).
• Significant Private Client Tax and Trust experience.
• Strong technical knowledge of Personal Tax, Trusts, IHT and CGT.
• Previous team leadership experience.
• Commercial awareness and excellent client relationship skills.

Desirable

• International and Offshore Trust experience.
• Business development experience.
• Experience leading advisory projects.