Tax adviser
Tax advisers help clients plan their finances to make sure they're paying the right amount of tax.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As a tax adviser, you could
- discuss a clients financial situation with them
- gather information to calculate taxes, using software
- complete and file tax returns by deadlines
- make sure work meets professional standards and legal requirements
- explain tax law to clients and find ways to reduce their liability
- produce financial reports or presentations for clients
- negotiate with HMRC on your client's behalf
Working environment
You could work in an office or at a client's business.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could:
- specialise in certain types of work, such as VAT, inheritance or corporation tax
- move between the public and private sector to more senior roles
- set up your own company to provide tax consultancy services to businesses or individuals
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
- analytical thinking skills
- knowledge of economics and accounting
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
You could take a degree followed by further professional training on a graduate scheme, to qualify.
Most subjects are acceptable though some employers may prefer you to have a degree in:
- accountancy
- accounting and finance
- business and management
- law
- maths
Look out for work experience opportunities during your studies, such as:
- insight days
- internships
- work placements
- Easter and summer vacation schemes
These can give you an advantage when applying for jobs or graduate training schemes. Your university careers service can help you to find opportunities.
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
You could apply to do an apprenticeship, such as:
- Professional Accountancy or Taxation Technician Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
- Accountancy or Taxation Professional Level 7 Apprenticeship, which is equivalent to a postgraduate qualification
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
You could start as an assistant in an accounting department and apply for a position as a trainee tax adviser with the organisation.
Some professional services firms recruit school and college leavers with A levels, or equivalent qualifications, into trainee tax adviser roles.
While working, you could study for the Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification.
There are different ways to achieve this and your employer will help you to choose the best route for you.
You can apply directly to employers if you have relevant skills, experience and qualifications. For example, you might transfer to taxation from another profession like accountancy, finance or law.
Registration
- you'll need to register as an 'approved person' by the Financial Conduct Authority
Further information
You can find out more about how to become a tax adviser from the Chartered Institute of Taxation and the Association of Taxation Technicians.
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.