Freeths is seeking a highly skilled Tax and Accounts Manager based in either our Birmingham, Nottingham, Oxford or Sheffield office, to join our growing Trusts, Estates & Tax (TET) team, which is spread nationally across our offices. For 15 consecutive years Freeths’ Trusts, Estate and Tax lawyers have secured a Tier 1 ranking in the UK’s leading legal directory, Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering high‑quality trust accounting, tax compliance and trust administration services within a thriving national practice.

The Top Tier Oxford Trusts, Estates and Tax Team is jointly led by Partners Louise Lewis and Lisa Mark-Bell, who are both listed in Chambers (HNW) and Legal 500. Lisa is dual qualified as a solicitor and a chartered tax adviser and both are based in our Oxford office.

The East Midlands Trusts, Estates and Tax Team is led by Rahul Kotecha and supported by Marie Cooper who are both Directors based in our Nottingham office.

About the Role

As a Tax and Accounts Manager, you will be responsible for the efficient management of trust accounting, trust taxation and wider private client tax compliance. This role is instrumental in supporting our fee earners and maintaining the smooth, compliant operation of the team’s trust and estate portfolio.

You will provide technical expertise, deliver accurate reporting, and build strong relationships with trustees, beneficiaries and advisers. This is a varied and rewarding position ideal for someone who enjoys responsibility, technical problem‑solving, and autonomy.

Key Responsibilities

• Trust Accounting & Financial Management
• Prepare and maintain annual trust accounts in line with HMRC requirements.
• Conduct full accounts checks for all trusts administered by the team.
• Review annual estate accounts to support accurate income and capital treatment.
• Monitor financial transactions, distributions, loans, and asset movements.
• Reconcile investment portfolios and identify risks or anomalies.
• Tax Compliance & Reporting
• Income Tax
• Prepare and file annual Trust & Estate Tax Returns (SA900).
• Produce R185 certificates and advise beneficiaries.
• Manage tax pool calculations and oversee tax payments.
• Capital Gains Tax (CGT)
• Prepare CGT computations and file 60‑day UK property CGT returns.
• Track base costs, enhancement expenditure and losses.
• Inheritance Tax (IHT)
• Prepare IHT100, IHT100a and associated schedules.
• Assist with IHT400 schedules where required.
• Manage 10‑year anniversary and exit charge calculations.
• Trust Administration & Governance
• Maintain trust deeds, minutes, statutory records and resolutions.
• Support trustee meetings and ongoing trust reviews.
• Liaise with investment managers, brokers, property agents and advisers.
• Client Care & Communication
• Act as a trusted point of contact for trustees, beneficiaries and peers.
• Provide proactive updates on compliance deadlines.
• Support smooth onboarding of new trust clients.
• Compliance, Risk & HMRC Liaison
• Ensure full compliance with HMRC deadlines and AML obligations.
• Manage the Trust Registration Service (TRS).
• Liaise directly with HMRC on returns, queries and investigations.
• Contribute to internal process improvements.
• Team Support & Knowledge Development
• Deliver training to junior team members and fee earners.
• Support the wider team with complex queries.
• Assist in growing the trust administration offering and contribute to digital transformation projects.

Skills & Experience

• Experience of working with trusts and private client tax compliance.
• Strong technical knowledge of IHT, CGT and Income Tax as applied to trusts.
• Experience preparing trust accounts and SA900 returns.
• Excellent Excel and numeracy skills.
• High attention to detail and strong organisational ability.
• Ability to clearly explain complex tax matters to clients and colleagues.
• ATT/CTA, STEP Diploma or similar relevant qualification.
• Experience with CCH, Digita or equivalent tax software.
• Experience gained in a law firm, accountancy practice or specialist trust team.
• Knowledge of estate taxation and personal tax returns.

This role will give you the opportunity to develop professionally, working on high quality instructions alongside leaders in their respective fields. There will be a good level of supervisory responsibilities involved and business development activities will be supported and encouraged.

No agencies. Direct applications only. For further information or a confidential discussion, please contact the recruitment team at [email protected].

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Do we sound like a match? If you’re someone who cares deeply, communicates openly and collaborates effectively, then we’d love to have you join our diverse, inclusive team.