Assistant Tax Manager

Cowgills Limited; Stockport; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Cowgills Limited is seeking an ambitious Assistant Tax Manager with a strong tax compliance background to join a small, expert team. The role focuses on advisory work for SMEs and owner-managed businesses, with CTA qualification near-term in view and a pathway to deepen advisory capabilities.

You will collaborate with senior colleagues, conduct technical research, and deliver clear written advice while expanding knowledge across general tax matters in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• CTA qualified (or within approximately two years post-qualification).
• Strong background in tax compliance, ideally gained in practice.
• Experience working with SMEs and owner-managed businesses.
• Broad general tax knowledge rather than a narrow specialist focus.
• Some exposure to tax advisory work is desirable but not essential.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Self-starter with the ability to take initiative and manage tasks independently.
• Motivated and proactive, with a genuine interest in tax advisory work.
• Comfortable working within a small, collaborative team environment.

Responsibilities

• Assisting with and delivering tax advisory projects for SMEs and owner-managed businesses.
• Supporting senior team members on tax planning and advisory work across a range of tax areas.
• Reviewing and building upon existing compliance knowledge to inform advisory recommendations.
• Identifying potential tax planning opportunities within client portfolios.
• Attending client meetings with senior team members to identify tax planning opportunities.
• Conducting technical research and preparing clear written advice.
• Collaborating with colleagues across the wider firm to deliver integrated client solutions.

Skills

CTA qualified (or within ~2 years)

Tax compliance

SMEs/OMBs experience

Broad tax knowledge

Advisory exposure (desirable)

Communication skills

Analytical & problem-solving

Initiative / self-starter

Team collaboration

Job description

As one of the region’s leading independent chartered accountants and business advisors, Cowgills has the expertise and knowledge to provide you with a full-service offering. Our independence ensures that we can tailor our approach to suit our clients’ individual needs. We have over 200 talented, committed and engaged employees, totally focused on delivering financial guidance and growth strategies to our clients.

We are seeking a motivated and ambitious Assistant Tax Manager to join our small but highly skilled tax team. This role will have a predominantly tax advisory focus, supporting a varied portfolio of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and owner-managed businesses (OMBs).

The ideal candidate will be within the first two years of qualifying as a Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) and will have developed a strong grounding in tax compliance. Some exposure to tax advisory work would be advantageous but is not essential. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to build their advisory experience and broaden their technical knowledge across general tax matters within a supportive team environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Assisting with and delivering tax advisory projects for SMEs and owner-managed businesses.
• Supporting senior team members on tax planning and advisory work across a range of tax areas.
• Reviewing and building upon existing compliance knowledge to inform advisory recommendations.
• Identifying potential tax planning opportunities within client portfolios.
• Attending client meetings with senior team members to identify tax planning opportunities.
• Conducting technical research and preparing clear written advice.
• Collaborating with colleagues across the wider firm to deliver integrated client solutions.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• CTA qualified (or within approximately two years post-qualification).
• Strong background in tax compliance, ideally gained in practice.
• Experience working with SMEs and owner-managed businesses.
• Broad general tax knowledge rather than a narrow specialist focus.
• Some exposure to tax advisory work is desirable but not essential.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Keen to develop technical skills and advisory capability.
• Self-starter with the ability to take initiative and manage tasks independently.
• Motivated and proactive, with a genuine interest in tax advisory work.
• Comfortable working within a small, collaborative team environment.

Belong @ Sumer

At Sumer, we know everyone’s journey is different. That’s why we’re committed to fairness, removing barriers and giving people the support they need to do their best work. If you need any support during the hiring process, just let us know.

Our values represent what matters most to us and guide how we work every day

• We Shine Together
• We Do the Right Thing
• We Make It Count

About Cowgills

When we work together, great things happen.

At Cowgills, we’re more than just accountants and business advisors, we’re your business partners, dedicated to helping you grow and succeed.

Entrepreneurial, straight-talking, and truly invested in your success, we’re with you every step of the way. We don’t just show up once a year to run the numbers and vanish. Whether you’re just starting out, growing fast, or facing a few bumps in the road, we’re here for all of it — from funding and tax to deals and strategy.

Clear thinking. Honest advice.

We’ve worked hard to be one of the North West’s leading and fastest growing firm of accountants and business advisors. We’re straight talking and entrepreneurial, with a focus on the commercial realities businesses face. That’s why clients count on us. We invest time in getting to know the businesses we work with, enabling us to give structured advice that makes a tangible difference.

In 2024, Cowgills became part of Sumer Group – a collaboration of renowned regional accountancy practices with a shared vision to champion local small to medium-sized enterprises.

By bringing together the best in advisory & business services, Sumer Group retains the value that community-based practices offer and combines this with the scale, breadth of expertise and technologies that only a national organisation can muster.

Through our unique approach, we believe we can make a real positive impact and achieve growth for our company, our colleagues and our clients. Together, we are about doing the right things, putting people first and delivering the best possible services to those who sit at the heart of our economy and communities.

People first. Always.

We’re a team of 250+ smart, energetic, down to earth people who care about doing a great job and doing it with a bit of personality. We work across many sectors, from property & construction, manufacturing & engineering, leisure & hospitality, technology and much more.

No egos. No corporate speak. Just people helping businesses grow.

We know diverse teams make us stronger. That’s why we’re creating an inclusive workplace where everyone belongs and differences are valued and celebrated.

We take our clients on a growth journey, which can start as early as accounts management and evolves alongside their ambitions.

Whether it’s scaling operations, navigating complex transactions, or planning for retirement, our full-service offering ensures continuity and expert guidance at every stage. We want you, our clients, to view us as true business partners – helping make informed decisions, maximise value, and prepare for the future