Private Client Tax - Associate Director

At S&W, we help our clients thrive by simplifying the complex, illuminating new paths, and shaping solutions that make a difference. As one of the UK’s top 10 fastest-growing accountancy firms, we have been a trusted partner since 1881—helping businesses and individuals meet challenges and seize opportunities across generations.

Built on expertise and driven by ambition, we provide a comprehensive range of services, including tax and accountancy, advisory and assurance, corporate finance, and restructuring. We are defined by our purpose—to help navigate challenges, unlock potential, and achieve the extraordinary.

What will you be doing?

As an Associate Director you will have overall responsibility for a group of clients, with excellent technical expertise in your field. You will lead and manage the relationship with clients, with the aim of developing new business from your current client base and beyond as well as contributing to management of staff members.

Due to recent growth, we are looking for candidates to be based in either Manchester, Leeds or Harrogate, with the requirement to be in the office to collaborate with colleagues three times a week. 

As an Associate Director, your responsibilities will include:

• Provide excellent client service at all times and ensure that the customer experience is a priority across your team and that services provided are in line with the group’s Conduct Risk framework.
• Strive to achieve the Exceptional Advisor competencies and status and manage client relationships.
• Contribute to business strategy where relevant to help ensure that decisions put the client first and are commercially viable.
• Responsible for marketing and business development activities for your field of expertise as agreed with your HoD.
• Ensure compliance with the group’s internal procedures so as not to expose the group to unacceptable levels of risk.
• Alongside relevant partner, hold regular financial performance reviews with your direct reports in respect of your client portfolio.
• Ensure compliance with the Delegated Authority Limits and any other relevant policies in respect of WIP and debtor management.
• Responsible for the day-to-day management of direct reports and conduct annual development reviews (ADRs) for your direct reports.
• Act as mentor and help to develop talent in line with the TBS talent programme.

To be successful in this role, you should:

• Significant private client tax experience gained within a professional practice.
• Demonstrable knowledge of private client tax and associated professional advice.
• Experience of delivering tax planning/advisory projects.
• Manage and develop client relationships.
• Strong experience of developing new business into profitable long-term client relationships.
• Team management and project management skills.

Professional Qualifications and Education

• Qualified Tax Advisor and/or Chartered Accountant

Key Competencies

• S&W relies on your judgement in the services supplied to clients. This has to be delivered as per the client’s needs, technically excellent, commercial and on time.
• Strong technical leadership and maintaining your technical competence is critical to ensuring clients receive an excellent service.
• Developer and grow relationships in the wider market and leveraging these to create opportunities for the business.
• You will help drive and lead a culture of continuous development, be able to identify future talent and act as mentor and sponsor.

As a colleague here at S&W you will have access to benefits that include

• Competitive salary
• Private medical insurance
• Life assurance
• Pension contribution
• Hybrid working model (role dependent)
• Generous holiday package
• Option to purchase additional holiday
• Shared parental leave
• Fully funded training towards professional qualifications
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Eye care support

We are proud to value the differences that a diverse workforce brings, representative of society and our clients. At S&W we have a wide range of highly active employee resource groups and we’re delivering multiple diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across the organisation. It is our commitment to provide a workplace where all colleagues, regardless of identity, background, or circumstance, feel respected as individuals and feel that they can achieve their full potential and work in a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment.

We are happy to make any reasonable adjustments to accommodate for your needs throughout the application process. Please let your Recruiter know.