Assistant Tax Manager

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions; Hazel Grove; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions in the Stockport area is seeking an ambitious Assistant Tax Manager for a permanent, full-time role with a strong advisory focus. You will support a varied portfolio of SMEs and owner-managed businesses, building on a solid compliance background to broaden advisory experience.

You will work with experienced Tax Managers, contribute to tax-planning assignments, conduct technical research, and develop client-facing skills with supervision.

Qualifications

• CTA qualification (recent)
• Strong background in UK tax compliance
• Experience in a UK Accountancy Practice
• Experience working with SMEs and owner-managed businesses
• Broad tax knowledge (not narrowly specialised)
• Strong technical research and analytical skills
• Ability to explain complex tax issues clearly
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Confident and professional client-facing approach
• Strong organisation and attention to detail
• Ability to use initiative and manage assignments independently
• Genuine interest in developing tax advisory capability
• Collaborative approach suited to a small specialist team

Responsibilities

• Assist with and deliver tax advisory projects for SMEs and owner-managed businesses
• Support Tax Managers and senior colleagues on tax-planning assignments
• Apply existing compliance knowledge to support practical advisory recommendations
• Conduct technical research and prepare clear written advice
• Identify potential tax-planning opportunities across client portfolios
• Attend client meetings alongside senior colleagues
• Develop an understanding of clients’ commercial and personal objectives
• Work collaboratively with Accounts, Audit, Corporate Finance and wider advisory teams
• Maintain accurate records and meet client, statutory and internal deadlines
• Keep up to date with relevant tax legislation and technical developments
• Build strong and trusted client relationships
• Contribute to the continued growth of the tax service

Skills

CTA qualification

UK tax compliance

UK Accountancy Practice

SME experience

Broad tax knowledge

Technical research

Clear explanations

Written and verbal communication

Client-facing

Attention to detail

Independent work

Develop advisory capability

Collaborative teamwork

Job description

Assistant Tax Manager

Location: Stockport area Salary: £45,000 to £55,000, depending on experience Job Type: Permanent, full-time Sector: UK Accountancy Practice

The Opportunity

A leading North West Accountancy Practice is seeking an ambitious Assistant Tax Manager to join its highly skilled tax team.

The position has a predominantly tax advisory focus, supporting a varied portfolio of small and medium-sized enterprises and owner-managed businesses.

This opportunity would suit a recently qualified Chartered Tax Adviser who has developed a strong grounding in tax compliance and now wants to broaden their advisory experience across a wider range of general tax matters.

Previous advisory experience would be beneficial but is not essential. The practice is prepared to support someone with strong compliance foundations, broad technical knowledge and a genuine interest in developing into an accomplished tax adviser.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Assist with and deliver tax advisory projects for SMEs and owner-managed businesses
• Support Tax Managers and senior colleagues on tax-planning assignments
• Apply existing compliance knowledge to support practical advisory recommendations
• Conduct technical research and prepare clear written advice
• Identify potential tax-planning opportunities across client portfolios
• Attend client meetings alongside senior colleagues
• Develop an understanding of clients’ commercial and personal objectives
• Work collaboratively with Accounts, Audit, Corporate Finance and wider advisory teams
• Maintain accurate records and meet client, statutory and internal deadlines
• Keep up to date with relevant tax legislation and technical developments
• Build strong and trusted client relationships
• Contribute to the continued growth of the tax service

The balance of assignments will reflect the successful candidate’s existing knowledge and development objectives.

About You

To be considered, you should ideally have:

• CTA qualification, normally gained within the last two years
• A strong background in UK tax compliance
• Recent experience gained within a UK Accountancy Practice
• Experience working with SMEs and owner-managed businesses
• Broad tax knowledge rather than a narrowly specialised background
• Strong technical research and analytical skills
• The ability to explain complex tax issues clearly
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• A confident and professional client-facing approach
• Strong organisation and attention to detail
• The ability to use initiative and manage assignments independently
• A genuine interest in developing tax advisory capability
• A collaborative approach suited to a small specialist team

Applications may also be considered from candidates approaching CTA qualification who can demonstrate substantial relevant experience and clear progress towards qualification.

ACA or ACCA-qualified applicants with strong tax experience and a clear commitment to developing within tax advisory may also be considered, although CTA qualification is preferred.

Advisory Development

The role is designed to help the successful candidate progress from a strong compliance grounding into broader tax advisory work.

Development may include exposure to:

• Owner-managed business tax planning
• Business restructures and reorganisations
• Shareholder and director planning
• Succession and exit considerations
• Transactions and business disposals
• Employment-related tax matters
• Capital taxes
• Cross-service advisory projects
• Technical research and written opinions
• Client meetings and presentation of recommendations

The precise advisory mix will depend on the needs of the client portfolio and the successful candidate’s technical development.

What the Practice Offers

The successful candidate can expect:

• A salary of £45,000 to £55,000, depending on experience
• An advisory-focused position with reduced reliance on routine compliance work
• Exposure to a varied SME and owner-managed business client base
• Direct support from experienced tax professionals
• Structured technical and professional development
• Opportunities to participate in client meetings
• Collaboration across a broad professional-services practice
• A supportive and inclusive working environment
• Opportunities for progression towards Tax Manager
• The resources and wider expertise of a substantial national group
• An environment that values initiative, practical advice and commercial awareness

Details of the complete benefits package and working arrangements will be confirmed during the recruitment process.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This role may particularly appeal if you are looking to:

• Move from predominantly compliance work into tax advisory
• Build broader general tax knowledge
• Work closely with SMEs and owner-managed businesses
• Gain exposure to varied planning projects
• Learn directly from experienced Tax Managers and senior advisers
• Develop stronger client-facing and written-advisory skills
• Build a long-term route towards Tax Manager

Equal Opportunities

The practice is committed to creating a fair and inclusive recruitment process. Applications are welcomed from candidates of all backgrounds, and reasonable adjustments can be provided throughout the hiring process.