Tax Assistant - Placement - Reading - September 2026

RSM UK; Reading; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm in Reading is seeking a motivated Tax Associate for a 12-month paid placement. You will work with Team Tax to provide clients with tailored tax solutions, applying tax laws both in the UK and internationally. Ideal candidates are enrolled in a sandwich degree and possess strong analytical and communication skills. Opportunities for further training and professional growth are available upon successful completion of the placement.

Benefits

Access to wellbeing benefits

Networking with expert mentors

Potential for graduate training programme

Qualifications

• Enrolled on a placement degree.
• Determined to tackle challenges and pass exams.
• Comfortable with numbers and an interest in the law.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with team and engage with clients.
• Apply tax laws to real-life client solutions.
• Explore financial world of individuals and businesses.

Skills

Team-oriented mindset

Analytical mindset

Effective communication

Education

Minimum 112 UCAS points across 3 A Levels

Equivalent level 3 qualification

Job description

As one of the world's largest networks of audit, tax and consulting firms, RSM delivers big ideas and premium service to help middle-market businesses thrive. We are a fast-growing firm with big ambitions -- we have a clear goal to become the premium adviser to the middle market, globally. This vision touches everything we do, motivating and inspiring us to become better every day. If you are looking for a firm where you can build a future and make an impact, then RSM is the place for you.

Make an Impact at RSM UK – Tax

Envision pursuing a career path where each day presents a unique challenge, a chance for growth and filled with possibilities. Join our consulting team on a 12-month paid placement as part of your sandwich degree course and gain hands-on experience.

A career in tax is more than just becoming a tax adviser, you’ll be part of Team Tax, diving into the intricate world of tax laws, both in the UK and internationally, applying them into real-life solutions for our clients, help clients save money, mitigate tax risks, navigate the complex landscape of reporting requirements and help create value.

Everyday you’ll work with a team of people who are vested in your success. The team are there to support you and ensure you can deliver your best.

You’ll have the opportunity to work directly with clients. For individuals you’ll immerse yourself in their unique financial world, uncovering the secrets behind family wealth, how it’s built, nurtured, and passed down to future generations. For companies, you’ll explore how they can maximise post tax profits, manage their tax risks in increasingly complex business environment for stakeholders, harness tax incentives to reduce their overall tax liability, expand their global reach navigating international tax rules or even plan a seamless tax-efficient exit. Each client interaction is a chance to make a real impact.

Our business areas within Team Tax includes VAT/Indirect Tax, Employer Solutions, Private Client Services, Corporate Tax, Innovation and Creative Sector Reliefs, Transfer Pricing, Capital Allowances and Tax Investigations.

Whatever your chosen specialism, you’ll make an impact by:

• Being part of Team Tax, you’ll collaborate with people right across the business and engage directly with our clients
  

Without even noticing it, you’ll enhance your skills, knowledge and capabilities, benefiting both our clients and your own professional development, learning to be responsive, meet deadlines, communicate effectively and uphold high standards to consistently exceed colleague and client expectations.

Join Team Tax and help shape our future and gain valuable experience as you take the next steps in your career. If your placement year is successful towards the end we’ll discuss with you the possibility of returning after your degree for a full-time training contract.

What we are looking for:

At RSM, we don't just look for good exam results. We think passion, personality and originality are just as important. To be considered for this opportunity, you should be able to demonstrate:

• Being enrolled on a placement degree
• Showing a team-oriented mindset and a curiosity about business/financial operations, and the interplay between taxation, personal wealth, and financial goals
• Displaying a determination to tackle challenges head-on and apply yourself in readiness for the hard work necessary to pass your exams and become a business adviser
• Communicating effectively, both in writing and verbally
• Feeling comfortable with numbers, an analytical mindset and an interest in the law
• Achieving a minimum of 112 UCAS points across 3 A Levels or an equivalent level 3 qualification, or 104 UCAS points across 4 Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers or Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher Level).
• Being willing to travel to client sites and other offices as required.

If that sounds like you, we know you’ll enjoy being part of our team.

Please note, RSM does not accept General Studies, AS levels or the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).

The start date for this role is 22 September 2026. Please note, our start dates are mandatory due to the internal and professional training you receive upon joining the firm, to offer you the best start to your career with us.

What we can offer you:

You’ll discover a culture that nurtures individuality and an environment where everyone is supported to reach their potential. With us, you’ll always be moving forward.

• Build a network of contacts and gain advice from our expert mentors
• You’ll also have access to lifestyle, health, and wellbeing (including financial) benefits which you can tailor to your requirements
• If you perform well, you could be given the opportunity to join one of our graduate training programmes

To learn more about the different areas of the tax profession, view our career pathways within our employability hub.

Following changes to government policy in April 2024, we can only accept applications from individuals with an existing, permanent, right to live and work in the UK for this role.

Disclaimer: RSM will only take one application into consideration per recruitment cycle. We do not accept multiple applications to different vacancies.

Diversity and Inclusion at RSM
At RSM, we want to create a strong sense of belonging so that people of all identities, backgrounds, and cultures feel they can bring their true self to work. Our clients come from all walks of life. We aim to achieve that same diversity of background, experience and perspective in our own teams, so that we can genuinely understand our client's needs. Diverse teams bring a broader range of ideas and insights to work. That's why we're working together to ensure our firm's principles and processes support a firm culture that embraces difference and strengthens inclusion.