Senior Trust Manager - Private Client

Job title

Senior Trust Manager - Private Client

Department

Private Client

About Higgs

Our vision is to be the independent regional law firm of choice, recognised for having a positive long-term impact upon its people, its clients, its business partners and its community. When it comes to our people, the team is everything at Higgs – an environment of sharing and collaboration, and a real sense of loyalty to each other and the firm.  That is coupled with a desire for everyone to learn and develop.  We are always striving to be better.  We enjoy what we do. We are genuinely interested in our clients and want them to feel a part of the firm too.

Our approach to our people draws on enjoyment, health & wellbeing, developing talent, technical excellence, training, reward and recognition.

When recruiting, we:

• Value enthusiasm and personality
• Want to be an employer of choice for talented, driven and client-focused people
• Are always looking for the very best to strengthen our team and bring new skills and ideas
• Integrate new people to realise their potential

With over two hundred employees and Members we offer a flexible and unique environment for people to grow their careers. Together we grow.

Role purpose

To provide support to the Private Client department by managing a portfolio of existing trusts and taking responsibility for the day to day management of them.  The existing trust structures hold a mixture of financial, business, agricultural and property assets.

Key responsibilities

• Maintain and prepare annual trust accounts;
• Preparation of relevant inheritance tax returns;
• Good understanding of the Self-Assessment process for trusts and the ability to complete annual tax returns, including managing our Agent Service Account and onboarding new clients;
• Able to onboard new trusts post-creation;
• Understand what annual compliance is required and use own initiative to ensure all trusts are compliant;
• Willingness to keep up to date with trusts compliance and help adapt our internal processes to any changes;
• Good working knowledge of the Trust Registration Service, including digital handshakes and annual declarations;
• Confident to liaise with directly with clients, external accountants, other trust and tax advisers and investment advisers;
• Completion of annual FATCA/CRS returns, tax residency and status forms, and obtain LEI numbers (where required);

Person specification

• Good communication, organisational and team skills, good attention to detail and strong on numbers;
• Flexible and able to take the initiative, to include both working independently and as part of a team;
• Able to remain calm under pressure and work to tight deadlines, conscientious, approachable and enthusiastic;
• Able to quickly build confidence, respect and trust with others.

Technical knowledge

• Good working knowledge of income tax, inheritance tax and capital gains tax;
• Good working knowledge of the relevant HMRC tax forms;
• STEP qualification, if not we will support you to work towards a STEP qualification
• CTA qualification could be an advantage;

Other information

The firm offers hybrid working wherever possible. Our Higgs’ Best FIT (flexible, inclusive, together) principles are designed to ensure that people are able to complete their best work from the most appropriate location.

We also encourage a ‘dress for your diary’ approach.

Equal opportunities

As charter signatories to The Law Society’s Diversity and Inclusion Charter, Higgs LLP are committed to developing a diverse business by engaging with the widest pool of talent and promoting equality of opportunity for everyone. Our mission is to ensure that everyone is empowered to be the best version of themselves and to have a voice which can be shared, heard and respected.