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Tax adviser

Alternative titles for this job include

Tax advisers help clients plan their finances to make sure they're paying the right amount of tax.

Average salary (a year)

£22,000 Starter

to

£60,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 40 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a tax adviser

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly
  • specialist courses run by professional bodies

University

You could take a degree and then further professional training through a graduate scheme, to qualify.

Most graduate employers will be looking for a minimum of an upper second class degree. Some may also require specific UCAS points, gained through GCSE and A level or equivalent qualifications. This is to show how consistent your academic achievement has been.

Your degree can be in any subject. Though not essential, the following subjects can be useful:

  • accountancy
  • accounting and finance
  • business and management
  • law
  • maths

During your studies look out for:

  • insight days
  • vacation schemes
  • internships
  • year placement opportunities

Your university careers service can help you to find work experience opportunities with business and finance companies, which will give you an advantage when you apply to graduate schemes.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths

More Information

Apprenticeship

The following higher apprenticeships are relevant to this role:

  • Professional accountancy or taxation technician
  • Accountancy or taxation professional

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could start as an assistant in an accounting department and apply for a position as a trainee adviser with a company.

Some professional services firms recruit school and college leavers with A Levels or equivalent qualifications into trainee tax adviser roles. You would receive full training from your employer, including support to gain professional qualifications.

Direct Application

You can apply directly to employers if you've got some of the relevant skills and knowledge needed for this job. For example, you could transfer from another profession like accountancy or law.

You'll need to apply for membership of the Association of Taxation Technicians, or work towards the Chartered Tax Adviser qualification offered by the Chartered Institute of Taxation.

Other Routes

You can complete a professional qualification through the Association of Taxation Technicians or the Chartered Institute of Taxation.

More Information

Registration

Professional and industry bodies

You can join the Chartered Institute of Taxation or Association of Taxation Technicians for professional development and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a tax adviser from the Chartered Institute of Taxation and the Association of Taxation Technicians.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • maths knowledge
  • customer service skills
  • ambition and a desire to succeed
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to read English
  • analytical thinking skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

You could:

  • meet clients to discuss their financial situation
  • gather information to calculate the amount of tax due
  • check and complete tax returns
  • audit clients' tax records
  • explain tax law to clients and find ways to reduce their liability
  • produce reports or presentations for clients
  • negotiate with HMRC on your client's behalf
  • keep up to date with regulations

Working environment

You could work in an office or at a client's business.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could open your own tax consultancy.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Finance Higher Apprentice

  • Wage: £17,500.00 Annually
  • Location: 2 Bolton Close, Isleport Business Park, Highbridge

Finance Apprentice

  • Wage: £18,000.00 Annually
  • Location: CHELTENHAM CRESCENT, HARROGATE

Courses In England

ACCA L6 Advanced Taxation

  • Provider: CHICHESTER COLLEGE GROUP
  • Start date: 19 April 2024
  • Location: Chichester

AAT L3 Indirect Taxation

  • Provider: THE EDUCATION TRAINING COLLECTIVE
  • Start date: 07 May 2024
  • Location: Thornaby

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