Graduate R&D Tax Trainee

Dow Schofield Watts; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Job summary

Dow Schofield Watts in Warrington is seeking a motivated Graduate R&D Tax Trainee to support our R&D relief work for a diverse client portfolio and build technical tax knowledge.

You will prepare claims, review activities to identify qualifying costs, draft technical reports, and participate in client meetings while studying for ATT/CTA/ACA with full support.

Qualifications

• Recent graduate in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, STEM or related field.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word.
• Interest in tax advisory and client-facing roles.

Responsibilities

• Support the preparation and delivery of R&D tax relief claims for a portfolio of clients.
• Assist in reviewing client activities to identify qualifying R&D projects and costs.
• Conduct technical and financial analysis to support robust claims.
• Participate in client meetings and gather information on innovation activities.
• Draft technical reports and documentation for submission to tax authorities.
• Assist with claim calculations and working papers.
• Research tax legislation and stay up to date with R&D incentives.
• Support senior team members with advisory projects and client queries.
• Build relationships with clients and collaborate with internal teams.
• Maintain accurate records and compliance with internal processes.

Job description

Location: Daresbury, Warrington (Hybrid)

Reports to: R&D Tax Partner

About the Role

We are seeking a motivated, analytical Graduate R&D Tax Trainee to join our growing team. This is an excellent opportunity for a recent graduate to begin a career in tax advisory, supporting businesses in identifying and claiming Research & Development (R&D) tax incentives.

You will work with a variety of clients across multiple sectors, helping them understand available tax reliefs while developing technical tax knowledge, client management skills, and commercial awareness.

• Support the preparation and delivery of R&D tax relief claims for a portfolio of clients
• Assist in reviewing client activities and expenditures to identify qualifying R&D projects and costs
• Conduct technical and financial analysis of client information to support robust claims
• Participate in client meetings and interviews to gather information on innovation activities
• Draft technical reports and supporting documentation for submission to tax authorities
• Assist with claim calculations and preparation of working papers
• Research tax legislation and stay up to date with developments in R&D incentives
• Support senior team members with advisory projects and client queries
• Build relationships with clients and collaborate with internal stakeholders across tax, finance, and technical teams
• Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with internal processes and regulatory requirements
• Study towards a relevant professional qualification (e.g., ATT, CTA, ACA/ACCA) with full support provided.

About You

The ideal candidate will have the following skills & experience:

• Recent graduate (a Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, STEM or related degree preferred)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Close attention to detail and strong organisational skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word
• Interest in tax, innovation, and working in a client-facing advisory role
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and work collaboratively in a team.
• Internship or placement experience in tax, finance, consulting or related field
• Understanding of R&D tax incentives or innovation funding
• Interest in pursuing a professional tax or accounting qualification.

What We Offer

• Structured graduate training programme
• Mentoring and career development opportunities
• Exposure to a broad range of innovative clients and industries
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Hybrid/flexible working options.

This role offers a clear pathway to progress into consultant, senior consultant and manager roles within R&D Tax and wider Tax Advisory services.