Main function of job

Become a key member of our Trust Team looking after and managing the accounting, administration, and tax affairs of UK resident trusts. The work is varied and high quality and there is also the opportunity to become involved with non-UK resident trusts, estates, and personal tax, if desired. The role will also involve assisting on the delivery of advisory work.

Main duties

• Responsibility for a mixed portfolio of UK resident trust clients and the annual compliance work, including trust accounts and self-assessment tax returns.
• Assisting senior staff on the delivery of advisory work, which will include the preparation of reports on matters such as IHT planning, succession planning and wealth preservation, and trust restructuring.
• Preparation and attendance at both existing and potential new client meetings.
• Correspondence and liaison with clients, co-professionals and HMRC, including promptly dealing with routine correspondence received in connection with those clients.
• Prioritising and organising own work to ensure a consistently high standard of client care and to meet both client and HMRC deadlines through working independently and taking initiative in dealing with clients' affairs.
• Training and development of junior members of staff, through mentoring and delegating, and reviewing work.

Equipment used

• A working knowledge of CCH Trust Accounts and CCH Personal Tax would be advantageous, but training will be provided. The firm uses CCH Practice Management System.

Qualifications and experience required

• ACA, CTA or STEP qualified
• The successful candidate is likely to have at least 3-5 years of experience of working within the private client department of an accountancy or legal practice, with experience of trust accounting and tax reporting.
• Some experience of working with family offices, landed estates and high net worth families would be advantageous but not essential.

Particular aptitudes / skills required

• Ability to work as part of a team with minimal supervision, and to support the development of junior members of the team.
• Takes care to produce reliable work to a high standard with a keen eye for detail.
• Organised and able to manage a portfolio of clients, ensuring that all deadlines are met.
• Shows initiative and independently seeks to resolve issues faced.
• Motivated and resilient with a positive outlook, and a willingness to learn and develop.
• Good computer skills including a sound knowledge of Word and Excel.

About Mercer & Hole

Mercer & Hole is an independent firm since being founded in 1905. Today, we are proud to say that we are a growing top 40 accountancy firm performing Audit, Corporate Tax, and advisory work. We are also a top 20 UK firm for both private client tax work and financial planning.

The firm is led by 24 partners, many of whom are top 4 trained, and we value teamwork with over 240 staff across four locations in the UK, with our flagship office in the heart of the City in Lombard Street.

We work with businesses and individuals and provide a quality, personalised service with high levels of expertise across all aspects of audit, accountancy, tax, and financial planning. We have the technical knowledge and excellence, but we also aim to give our clients practical options, and always make complex issues easy to understand. The secret to our success is a commitment to deliver only the best for our clients and to exceed their expectations from our initial contact and throughout our relationship.

We are recognised for being friendly and approachable, taking the time to get to know our clients as people so that we understand what is important to them, their business ventures, and their family commitments.

The firm has a varied, international client base and an international presence as we are founding members of The International Accounting Group and TAG Law which aligns over 16,000 professionals globally.

Making a difference

People and businesses are facing unprecedented change. Across all sectors, business owners, Boards and Executive Management Teams must continually re-evaluate their position and make tough decisions that will affect their future goals and those of their organisations.

We work with a range of clients from start-ups, SMEs and larger corporations, including listed business, across a wide scope of industry sectors to provide them with a range of specialised services. At Mercer & Hole, we are known for our exceptional level of client care. We believe taking time to get to know our clients gives us a greater understanding of their business goals to provide real value.

Our experienced team can provide expert help in the following areas:
• Audit and Accounting (note, audit services not provided to listed entities)
• Tax compliance and advisory
• Business and strategic advice
• VAT including partial exemption issues
• Virtual Finance, including bookkeeping, management accounting, financial modelling and payroll
• "World Class Finance" - review of financial processes and controls, including improvement recommendations and implantation guidance
• Regulatory returns
• Valuation services
• Merger and acquisition support and advice (including Financial Due Diligence)
• Private client services and exit strategy planning
• Raising finance

We really want to attract and retain individuals who share our Values:

Together

The firm with the family feel. Express gratitude. Smile. Be humble and confident. Have fun.

Resilient

Change is imminent, and business is imperfect. Be open minded & agile. Assume positive intent and exercise the power of positive thinking.

Understanding

Each individual matters and will be heard and respected. Honesty, integrity, empathy and kindness are fundamental.

Supportive

We support what is important to you and show kindness in our behaviour to each other. We encourage each other to realise our potential.

Thrive!

We strive to be the best, innovate and always do exceptional work. That's who we are and what our clients deserve.