R&D Cost Consultant

Focus Search and Selection; Manchester; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Focus Search and Selection is seeking an experienced R&D Cost Consultant / Tax Specialist for its Manchester team. You will drive the financial and compliance aspects of R&D tax claims, working with technical specialists and clients to ensure accuracy and HMRC compliance.

The role involves analysing costs, preparing SME and R&DEC claims, and supporting HMRC enquiries with practical interpretation of legislation in a commercially minded way.

Qualifications

• Proven experience preparing or reviewing UK R&D tax claims.
• Strong knowledge of SME and RDEC reliefs.
• Good financial analysis and cost-accounting skills.
• Experience handling HMRC enquiries/compliance checks.
• ACA/ACCA/CTA or equivalent experience is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Analyse client financial information to identify qualifying R&D expenditure.
• Prepare and review R&D tax claim costings.
• Assess payroll, subcontractor, consumable and other costs.
• Apply SME and RDEC legislation accurately.
• Review claims for compliance, risk and optimisation.
• Support HMRC enquiries and compliance checks.
• Collaborate with clients and their finance teams to gather information.
• Carry out internal reviews and quality checks on claims.

Skills

R&D tax claims

SME & RDEC

Financial analysis

HMRC enquiries

Attention to detail

Legislation interpretation

Accounting qualifications (ACCA/CTA)

Education

Accounting qualifications (ACA/ACCA/CTA)

Job description

R&D Cost Consultant / Tax Specialist

Manchester

An established professional services business is looking to add an experienced R&D Cost Consultant / Tax Specialist to its Manchester team.

The role will focus on the financial and compliance side of R&D tax claims, working alongside technical specialists and clients to ensure claims are accurate, commercially sound and compliant with HMRC requirements.

The role will involve:

• Analysing client financial information to identify qualifying R&D expenditure
• Preparing and reviewing R&D tax claim costings
• Assessing payroll, subcontractor, consumable and other relevant costs
• Applying SME and RDEC legislation accurately
• Reviewing claims for compliance, risk and potential optimisation
• Supporting HMRC enquiries and compliance checks
• Working with clients and their finance teams to gather information and explain requirements
• Carrying out internal reviews and quality checks on claims

We're looking for someone with:

• Proven experience preparing or reviewing UK R&D tax claims
• Strong knowledge of R&D tax relief, including SME and RDEC
• Good financial analysis and cost-accounting skills
• Experience dealing with HMRC enquiries/compliance checks
• Strong attention to detail and a commercially minded approach
• The ability to interpret legislation and apply it practically
• ACA, ACCA, CTA or equivalent experience would be advantageous, as would experience within an R&D tax, accountancy or professional services environment.

This is a good opportunity for someone who wants to take ownership of the financial and compliance side of R&D claims within a growing specialist team, with scope to develop their technical and client-facing responsibilities.