Assistant Tax Manager — SME Advisory

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

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.