Tax advisers make sure that their clients pay the right amount of tax on time. They also advise clients on how best to structure their finances to avoid paying too much tax in the future. Their clients can include large multinational companies, smaller businesses and individuals.

There are two main areas of work:

• tax compliance – calculating how much tax is due and completing tax returns
• tax consultancy – advising clients on ways to reduce the amount of tax they have to pay.

Their duties may include:

• meeting clients and collecting information
• checking and completing tax returns
• auditing clients’ tax records
• explaining tax laws to clients and finding ways to reduce their tax liabilities
• producing reports or presentations for clients
• liaising and negotiating with HM Revenue and Custom on the client’s behalf
• keeping up to date with tax law.

Tax advisers are usually employed by accountancy or law firms as specialist consultants, or by large companies in in-house tax departments. Some tax advisers may also provide other accountancy services for clients

Hours and Environment

Tax advisers generally work standard office hours, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. They may need to work longer hours to meet deadlines, especially in February and March at the end of the tax year.

They are office based but also travel to clients for meetings and audits.

Skills and Interests

To work as a tax adviser you should:

• have excellent mathematical and computer skills
• be able to interpret complex data
• work well under pressure and keep to tight deadlines
• have good written and spoken communication skills
• be able to work as part of a team and supervise others
• work accurately and pay attention to detail 
• be interested in business and finance.

Entry

You must be a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) to be able to work as a chartered tax adviser. To register with CIOT, you must be either:

• a member of the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT)
• a qualified solicitor with a legal practice certificate, or
• a chartered accountant.  

You do not need any specific qualifications to become a student member of ATT or CIOT. However, most employers will expect GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) or equivalent in English and maths. In practice, many tax advisers have a degree in business, finance, accountancy or law. Some large accountancy or tax consultancy firms may offer graduate entry schemes.

See Accountant: Private Practice or Solicitor profiles for information about qualifying as an accountant or solicitor.

If you are not already a qualified solicitor or accountant, you can first qualify as a taxation technician with the ATT. You must:

• pass the four ATT Certificate examinations (if you have A levels or a HNC/D or degree in law or accounting, you may be exempt from some of the ATT exams)
• have at least two years' practical experience of UK taxation.

After qualifying with the ATT you can apply for student membership of CIOT and take further exams for chartered tax adviser status (see Training section).

Please see the ATT and CIOT websites for more information.

Training

• pass the CTA examination
• have at least three years' relevant work experience in taxation.

You can study for the CTA examination whilst working, through part-time classes, distance learning or intensive revision sessions. The CIOT advises that you should study for at least a year before taking the CTA examination. If you already have accountancy qualifications you may be exempt from some papers of the CTA exam. See the CIOT website for more information about exemptions and course providers. 

Opportunities

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

A trainee tax adviser can earn from £19,000 to £25,000 a year.
Part-qualified tax advisers can earn £25,000 to £35,000.
Fully-qualified Chartered Tax Advisers may earn £35,000 to £50,000.
Senior tax managers with 10 or more years’ experience can earn up to £90,000 a year.

There may also be bonus payments for personal or company performance.

Salaries in London may be 10 to 20% more than the rest of the UK.

Further information

51 Gresham Street
London
EC2V 7HQ
Tel: 0845 257 3772 12 Upper Belgrave Street
London
SW1X 8BB
Tel: 020 7235 9381 12 Upper Belgrave Street
London
SW1X 8BB
Tel: 020 7235 2544