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Finance & Accounting

Tax Advisor

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Primary Secondary Post-16

A tax advisor is a finance professional who provides advice to individuals, businesses, and organisations on how to manage their tax affairs efficiently and stay compliant with UK tax laws. Their role involves preparing and submitting tax returns, advising clients on tax planning to minimise liabilities, and keeping up to date with changes in tax regulations. Tax advisors often work for accountancy firms, legal practices, or as independent consultants. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a good understanding of business and finance are essential in this career. Many tax advisors are qualified accountants or have completed professional qualifications such as ATT (Association of Taxation Technicians) or CTA (Chartered Tax Adviser).

Tax Advisor

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📊 Statistics

Average Starting Salary

Entry-level tax advisors in the UK typically earn between £22,000 and £30,000 per year.

Experienced Salary Range

With experience, tax advisors can earn between £40,000 and £70,000 per year, and partners or senior specialists can earn £100,000 or more.

Employment Numbers

There are over 35,000 tax professionals working in the UK according to the Chartered Institute of Taxation.

🚀 Careers in this path

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Corporate Tax Specialist

Focuses on providing tax advice and planning specifically for companies and large organisations, ensuring compliance with corporate tax laws and regulations.

Personal Tax Consultant

Works with individuals to manage their personal tax affairs, offering guidance on income tax, inheritance tax, and capital gains tax.

VAT Consultant

Specialises in advising businesses on Value Added Tax matters, including compliance, registration, and dealing with HMRC on VAT issues.

Gain Relevant Qualifications

Complete Secondary Education

Achieve good grades in GCSEs, especially in Maths and English.

Strong GCSE results are essential for progressing to further education or training. Maths and English are particularly important, as they form the foundation for future studies in finance and accountancy. Consider taking subjects such as Business Studies or Economics if offered.

Pursue Further Education

Take A-levels, Scottish Highers, or equivalent qualifications, ideally in subjects such as Mathematics, Economics, or Business.

A-levels or equivalent qualifications are often required for university courses or higher apprenticeships related to tax and accountancy. Subjects like Mathematics or Economics provide useful background knowledge. Alternatively, vocational qualifications in accounting or finance can also be suitable.

Obtain a Degree or Professional Qualification

Study for a degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related subject, or start a professional qualification such as ATT or CTA.

Many Tax Advisors hold a relevant university degree, but it is also possible to qualify through professional bodies. The Association of Taxation Technicians ATT and the Chartered Institute of Taxation CIOT offer respected qualifications. Some employers may support you in gaining these while you work.

Gain Practical Experience

Secure an Entry-Level Role

Apply for trainee positions or apprenticeships with accountancy firms or tax departments.

Entry-level roles such as Tax Assistant or Trainee Tax Advisor are great ways to gain practical experience. Apprenticeships can combine work and study, letting you earn a salary while gaining qualifications. Look for opportunities in both large and small accountancy practices.

Develop Tax Knowledge On the Job

Work alongside experienced Tax Advisors to learn about tax law, compliance, and client management.

Day-to-day tasks may include preparing tax returns, researching tax legislation, and supporting clients with their queries. Use this time to build your technical knowledge and begin working towards membership of a professional body if you have not already.

Achieve Professional Status

Gain Professional Membership

Achieve full membership with a professional body such as ATT or CIOT.

Professional membership demonstrates your expertise and commitment to high standards. To become a Chartered Tax Adviser CTA you will need to pass exams and gain relevant work experience. Members often have greater career prospects and earning potential.

Continue Professional Development

Stay up to date with changes in tax law and undertake regular training.

Tax regulations change frequently, so ongoing learning is essential. Attend courses, seminars, and workshops offered by your professional body or employer. This ensures you provide the best advice to your clients and maintain your professional standing.

🎯 View Apprenticeships

Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Tax Advisor. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.

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Career Progressions

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Sample Qualifications

A Tax Advisor and a Tax Inspector both specialise in understanding and applying tax laws, providing guidance to ensure compliance and optimise tax obligations. The primary difference is that a Tax Advisor typically offers proactive advice to clients, whereas a Tax Inspector enforces tax regulations, making them closely related in terms of qualifications and expertise.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

University

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

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Apprenticeship

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

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Work

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.

Direct Application

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.

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Registration

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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