Business Tax Apprenticeship

James Cowper LLP; Cumnor; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

James Cowper Kreston is seeking motivated school and college leavers to join our Business Tax School Leaver Apprenticeship Programme. You will work with managers, directors and partners, starting with fundamentals of tax and business operations, while earning and learning through ACA Level 4 then ACA CTA Joint Programme.

The role offers a structured two-year apprenticeship, with training at FIRST INTUITION SOUTH LIMITED in Reading and a potential career path toward Assistant Manager and beyond.

Qualifications

• GCSE English Language (grade 4 or higher) - essential
• GCSE Maths (grade 4 or higher) - essential
• A Level All subjects (grade 112 UCAS points or higher) - essential

Responsibilities

• Attend client meetings alongside more experienced colleagues
• Support colleagues with client assignments and advisory projects
• Communicate confidently and professionally with clients and colleagues

Skills

Communication skills

IT skills

Attention to detail

Organisation skills

Customer care skills

Problem solving skills

Administrative skills

Number skills

Analytical skills

Team working

Initiative

Resilience

Adaptability

Enthusiasm to learn

Education

GCSE English Language (grade 4 or higher) - essential

GCSE Maths (grade 4 or higher) - essential

A Level All subjects (grade 112 UCAS points or higher) - essential

Job description

Business Tax is about much more than tax returns. It's about helping businesses understand and manage complex tax matters while supporting growth and important commercial decisions. You'll work with a wide range of organisations, helping them understand their tax obligations and supporting them as they grow and change.

You'll start by building your understanding of the fundamentals of tax and how businesses operate. As your knowledge and confidence grow, you'll take on increasing responsibility, become involved in more complex work and begin building relationships with clients.

You'll work alongside experienced Managers, Directors and Partners who will support you as you develop your technical knowledge and professional skills.

During your first year, you'll start developing the skills to:

• Understand how corporation tax computations and returns are prepared
• Build an understanding of different Business Tax matters
• Research tax rules and technical issues
• Support colleagues with client assignments and advisory projects
• Attend client meetings alongside more experienced colleagues
• Communicate confidently and professionally with clients and colleagues

Training

• You start by studying a Level 4 apprenticeship over two years to complete the Certificate Level of the ACA qualification
• You will then progress to a Level 7 apprenticeship to complete the ACA CTA Joint Programme, which will take a further three years to complete
• Training will be a mix of classroom based courses and self-study
• Classroom sessions will be block release and generally take place at First Intuition's premises in central Reading

What happens at the end

After completing your ACA Level 4 apprenticeship, you'll continue your studies with the ACA CTA Joint Programme as a Level 7 apprenticeship.

As you build your career with us, and once you are ACA qualified, you will progress to Assistant Manager and beyond. Potentially following a route all the way to being a partner in the firm.

Five of our current partners started as trainees with the firm.

Skills

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Administrative skills
• Number skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Initiative
• Resilience
• Adaptability
• Enthusiasm to learn

Qualifications

• GCSE English Language (grade 4 or higher) - essential
• GCSE Maths (grade 4 or higher) - essential
• A Level All subjects (grade 112 UCAS points or higher) - essential

Key details

• Wage: £23,000 a year
• Working week: Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.30pm.
• Hours: 37.5 hours per week
• Duration: 2 Years
• Start date: 2027-08-23
• Closing date: 2027-01-31
• Apprenticeship standard: Professional taxation technician (level 4)
• Training provider: FIRST INTUITION SOUTH LIMITED

About the employer

James Cowper Kreston is a leading firm of accountants and business advisers with offices across the Thames Valley and South Coast. We work closely with our clients, offering a wide range of services and helping them navigate challenges, seize opportunities and maximise their potential.

We pride ourselves on blending professional excellence with a supportive and friendly culture. We're big enough to offer exciting career opportunities, yet small enough that you'll quickly feel part of a close-knit team.

We're looking for motivated school and college leavers to join our growing Business Tax team. If you're ready to start your career, earn while you learn, and work towards professional qualifications without going to university first, our School Leaver Apprenticeship Programme could be the perfect place to start.