R&D Tax Manager/ Assistant Manager

Saffery; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

35 hour working week (hybrid)

Discretionary bonus

Contributory pension scheme

25 days annual leave

Life Assurance cover

Flexible benefits

Profit-Sharing Plan

Job summary

Saffery LLP seeks an experienced R&D Manager or Assistant Manager to join its in-house R&D tax team, based in Manchester or Leeds. You will work with senior staff to lead the preparation of R&D claims, ensuring compliance with UK guidance and delivering practical, business-focused solutions for a diverse client base.

The role emphasizes collaboration across R&D, corporate tax, audit and accounts teams, client meetings, and mentoring junior staff while maintaining high quality standards and

Qualifications

• Recent practical experience managing an R&D tax portfolio.
• Strong managerial skills and up-to-date working knowledge of R&D tax issues.
• Experience delivering R&D tax work under UK BEIS guidelines.
• Collaborative style with cross-disciplinary teams.
• Commercial acumen and a client-focused approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead preparation of R&D claims and ensure compliance with R&D tax legislation.
• Collaborate with senior colleagues across R&D, corporate tax, audit and accounts teams.
• Manage and deliver R&D tax projects, focusing on technical excellence and business relevance.
• Prepare documentation per UK BEIS guidelines to support R&D claims.
• Draft technical descriptions for HMRC reports and refine client drafts.
• Coordinate client interviews with technical and finance teams, advising on R&D relief.
• Contribute to claim methodology and assist HMRC submissions.
• Support engagements, including cost monitoring, billing, risk management and relationships.
• Maintain strong client relationships and manage expectations.
• Collaborate with colleagues across disciplines to build internal network.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Client relationships

Commercial acumen

Problem solving

Collaboration

Education

CTA/ATT and/or ACA/ACCA

Job description

Please note, this role can be based in either of our Manchester or Leeds offices.

We are seeking an experienced R&D Manager or Assistant Manager to join our in-house R&D tax team. Our firm serves a diverse client portfolio spanning various business sectors, offering opportunities to work on a wide range of R&D tax projects.

The role

As a member of our team, you will work with senior staff to lead the preparation of R&D claims, ensuring compliance with R&D tax legislation and providing valuable expertise to our clients.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate confidently and knowledgeably with senior colleagues within the R&D, corporate tax, audit, and accounts teams.
• Support client meetings, whilst explaining our services effectively.
• Manage and successfully deliver R&D tax projects, emphasizing technical excellence and practical, business-driven solutions.
• Prepare comprehensive documentation in line with UK BEIS guidelines and CIRD manual to support R&D claims while adhering to the firm's quality standards.
• Craft technical descriptions of client projects for inclusion in reports to be submitted to HMRC, and edit client-drafted descriptions for improvements.
• Coordinate and participate in interviews with clients' technical and finance teams, advising on R&D tax relief and qualifying R&D activities and expenditures.
• Contribute to claim methodology development and assist in the preparation of R&D tax relief claims for submission to HMRC.
• Support R&D engagements, including cost monitoring, billing, risk management, deliverables, and client relationships.
• Cultivate and maintain strong client relationships, delivering high levels of client service.
• Foster relationships within the firm and externally with clients and managing client expectations.
• Keep all relevant teams and Partners informed about project responsibilities and any issues that may impact client relationships.
• Collaborate with colleagues across different disciplines to build an internal network.

The Team

Our R&D team is a national team based across different Saffery offices, with a dedicated group of Corporate Tax colleagues specialising in R&D tax. We’re looking for someone to ideally join our Manchester or Leeds office.

Qualifications And Skills

• Proactive, resilient, and driven with recent practical experience managing an R&D tax portfolio.
• Leadership: Strong managerial skills and up-to-date working knowledge of R&D tax issues.
• Background: Experience in organizing the delivery of R&D tax work, problem-solving, and taking initiative.
• Collegiality: Confidence and professionalism to establish credibility at all levels.
• Business Building: Commercial acumen and a clear understanding of client requirements.
• Qualifications: Preferably CTA/ ATT and/or ACA/ACCA/ qualified.

Reward And Benefits

• A 35 hour working week with a hybrid working policy with the flexibility to work from home for up to three days per week (our core hours are 10-4).
• Eligibility for the discretionary bonus scheme
• Excellent benefits including; contributory pension scheme, 25 days annual leave, Life Assurance cover and great flexible benefits and family friendly policies,
• Eligibility for the firm’s Profit-Sharing Plan. Paid in December.

About Us

Saffery LLP is an adviser to individuals and businesses across a range of sectors, providing market-leading accountancy, audit, business advisory, tax and VAT services. Founded in 1855, we are the UK’s 15th largest accountancy firm. When you work with us at Saffery, you work with people who know your name, not just a job title. We’re a place shaped by friendly, intelligent people who are individually excellent and collectively exceptional. We’re committed to our clients, but also to our greatest asset – our people. As a proud member of Nexia, a leading, international network of independent accounting and consulting firms, we’ve got access to local insight on a global scale.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Equality, diversity and inclusion is a top priority for us. With our ED&I strategy, Everyone Belongs, we are building on our positive work culture and implementing initiatives to improve diversity and strengthen our equitable culture of inclusion, led from the top.

Built on values of excellence, integrity, collaborative, progressive and responsible, Saffery is where Potential meets Personal.