Join our team: Senior Client Manager

Written By Ake Team

Ake Chartered Accountants & Business Advisors is a modern, fully cloud-based firm dedicated to helping people and communities thrive - financially, personally, and across generations. Guided by the whakatauāki Te Whakaoho i te Pito Mata – Unlocking Potential, we blend Māori values with smart technology to deliver advisory that matters. Our clients range from small to large businesses, whānau trusts, iwi and hapū entities, and growth-minded enterprises across Aotearoa. 

Recognition matters too: Ake has been a finalist in The Gap Innovation Awards three years running (2023, 2024, 2025). For 2025 we’re also finalists for the Three Freedoms Awards (Mind, Financial and Time) and for the Supreme Award, underscoring our drive for excellence for both clients and our team. 

We’re searching for an experienced Client Manager (senior or strong intermediate) who wants more than routine compliance. If you’re ready for deeper client relationships, genuine advisory work and clear career momentum, we’d love to hear from you. 

 

What you’ll do 

  • Manage a portfolio spanning businesses of all sizes, trusts and Māori organisations - becoming clients’ first call for insight, not just their year-end accountant. 

  • Prepare annual accounts, tax returns, GST, PAYE and FBT. 

  • Produce cash-flow forecasts, budgets and business plans that clients actually use. 

  • Support clients on Xero, FYI Docs, Spotlight, Fathom, Figured and other best-of-breed cloud apps. 

  • Mentor junior team members and refine firm-wide processes in our 12-person practice. 

  • Work primarily from our Whakatāne office, with WFH flexibility around life commitments. Part-time or compressed-week arrangements are possible for the right candidate. 

  • Lean into advisory - there is genuine scope to expand this side of the role if that’s your passion. 

 

What you’ll bring 

  • Ideally a minimum of three years’ public-practice experience and solid New Zealand tax knowledge. 

  • CA qualification (or well on the way) - we pay the membership fees. 

  • Confidence with Xero and enthusiasm for learning new tech quickly. 

  • Clear, personable communication - clients trust you and enjoy working with you. 

  • An interest in advisory and a genuine desire to see clients succeed. 

  • Openness to Te Ao Māori perspectives; fluency is welcome but not required. 

  • Payroll knowledge is a plus, but not essential.

 

Why Ake 

  • Salary negotiated to recognise your expertise. 

  • Health insurance and paid CA membership. 

  • Professional development budget, study support and direct access to partners who enjoy mentoring. 

  • A culture that values mauri tau - balance between work, whānau and wellbeing. 

  • Exposure to award-nominated innovation and a clear pathway to broaden your advisory scope—and, for the right person, future leadership opportunities. 

 

Key dates 

  • Applications close: Sunday 24 August 2025 

  • Interviews: week commencing 25 August 

  • Ideal start: before 30 September (negotiable) 

 

How to apply 

Send your CV and a brief cover letter to kiaora@akeaccounting.co.nz. 
Questions? Email us - happy to have a confidential kōrero. 

Ake Team