Senior Tax Manager - HMRC Investigations Specialist

PKF FRANCIS CLARK; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading accountancy firm in the UK seeks a Senior Tax Manager to oversee HMRC investigations. This pivotal role involves advising clients on tax matters, managing investigations, and developing strategies for compliance and risk mitigation. Candidates should hold a CTA qualification with substantial experience in tax law. The role offers opportunities for professional development in a supportive environment focused on employee wellbeing and growth. Join the team to make a significant impact in tax management and client relations.

Benefits

Pension

Private medical insurance

Health cash plan

Cycle to work scheme

Emergency funding support

Volunteering day

Qualifications

• Significant post-qualification experience in tax investigations.
• In-depth knowledge of UK tax legislation and HMRC practices.
• Proficient at interpreting tax legislation and explaining it clearly.

Responsibilities

• Manage all stages of HMRC investigations and queries.
• Advise clients on managing potential HMRC investigations.
• Conduct technical analyses of tax matters under investigation.
• Negotiate and represent clients with HMRC.
• Mentor junior team members and deliver training sessions.

Skills

Technical tax expertise

Strategic thinking

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Research skills

Problem-solving skills

Coaching ability

Education

CTA qualified (ACA, CA or ACCA preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

In a nutshell

The Senior Tax Manager specialising in HMRC Investigations is a pivotal role within our Tax team. This position demands a high degree of technical tax expertise, strategic thinking, and excellent interpersonal skills. The role’s primary focus is to manage, advise on, and resolve complex tax investigations initiated by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), ensuring our clients remain compliant while achieving the best possible outcomes.

What you'll be doing day to day

• Managing HMRC Enquiries: Take ownership of all stages of HMRC investigations, including Code of Practice 8 and 9 (COP8/COP9) cases, voluntary disclosures, and full or aspect enquiries. Oversee the preparation of robust responses to HMRC queries and ensure all deadlines are met.
• Client Advisory: Advise clients or internal stakeholders on the management and implications of ongoing and potential HMRC investigations. Provide strategic guidance to minimise exposure and risk, and recommend the most effective approach to resolution.
• Technical Analysis: Carry out in-depth technical analysis of tax matters under investigation, identifying strengths and weaknesses in clients’ positions, and developing solutions that comply with UK tax law and HMRC guidelines.
• Negotiation and Representation: Act as the main point of contact with HMRC, representing clients in meetings, correspondence, and negotiations. Strive to secure fair outcomes, leveraging technical and commercial arguments whilst maintaining positive relationships with HMRC officers.
• Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Proactively identify risk areas within clients’ tax affairs. Develop and implement strategies to mitigate risks and prepare for potential HMRC scrutiny.
• Voluntary Disclosures: Lead the preparation and submission of voluntary disclosures to HMRC, ensuring full and accurate reporting and effective management of any resulting investigation.
• Internal Training and Knowledge Sharing: Mentor junior team members, deliver internal training, and disseminate up‑to‑date knowledge on HMRC investigative processes, changes in tax legislation, and best practices in managing disputes.
• Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong professional relationships with clients, colleagues, legal advisors, and HMRC personnel.
• Reporting and Documentation: Oversee the preparation of clear, concise, and comprehensive reports and documentation to support investigation cases, both for HMRC and clients or colleagues.
• Continuous Professional Development: Stay abreast of developments in UK tax law, HMRC operational practices, and trends in tax dispute resolution.

About you

• CTA qualified (ACA, CA or ACCA an advantage) or equivalent with significant post‑qualification experience.
• Experience of providing the advice in respect of tax investigations detailed above.
• In‑depth tax technical knowledge of UK tax legislation and HMRC practices.
• Adept at interpreting tax legislation and communicating complex advice in plain English.
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills.
• Strong research, analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong interest in business development activities and opportunities for growth, through networking and building lasting client relationships.
• Experienced in and passionate about coaching and developing others, including fostering an inclusive team and learning environment.
• Proficient in use of Microsoft Office applications.

Why work at PKF Francis Clark

As the largest firm of independent chartered accountants and business advisers in South West England, PKF Francis Clark offers a breadth of opportunities to develop your career in the way that’s right for you.

Established in 1919, we’ve grown to a team of nearly 1,000 people, based across our offices in Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, Poole, Salisbury, Southampton, Taunton, Torquay and Truro. This means we’re big enough to do challenging work for exciting clients, but small enough to maintain our friendly and supportive culture.

We work hard to ensure you can belong, be yourself and be brilliant as part of a forward‑thinking team. This includes a flexible approach to hybrid working. And our focus on wellbeing and learning and development has been recognised nationally.

For the past three years, PKF Francis Clark has been certified as a Great Place to Work and ranked among the UK’s Best Workplaces. In 2025, we climbed four places to 20 out of 100 large organisations on this prestigious list.

We’re also in the UK’s top 10 Best Workplaces for Women (6 out of 100 large organisations), as well as being ranked among the Best Workplaces for Wellbeing (35 out of 100), Best Workplaces for Development (24 out of 100) and Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services.

All these lists are compiled by workplace culture experts Great Place to Work. Our rankings are a direct result of feedback from our people in a confidential, independent annual survey.

The success rates of our trainees mean we’re also ranked 33rd in The Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2025.

While we’re proudly independent, we collaborate with colleagues around the world to enable our clients to succeed. PKF Francis Clark is a member of the PKF Global family of firms – together we’re the 12th largest provider of accountancy services in the UK. Being part of this international network provides opportunities to connect with like‑minded accountants and business advisers in 150 countries.

Your core benefits

Financial benefits

• Pension
• Group life assurance – up to four times your core salary
• Group income protection
• Health cash plan to help cover the costs of everyday healthcare

Health & Wellbeing benefits

• Private medical insurance
• Option to buy 5 extra days holiday
• Counselling and support for you and your immediate family
• Virtual GP for you and your immediate family
• Cycle to work

Other benefits

• Medicash Extras providing you with shopping and gym discounts
• Gifts for career and family milestones
• One volunteering day per year to support local organisations
• Emergency funding from the Francis Clark Charitable Foundation
• Electric vehicle lease scheme

Note: These benefits are provided via a salary exchange and are subject to employee’s post‑exchange hourly rate remaining above the national minimum wage.