Tax Assistant - School / College Leaver- Chelmsford - September 2026

RSM UK; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading tax advisory firm in Chelmsford seeks individuals for its Tax Apprenticeship. Participants will gain experience in real client interactions while studying for professional qualifications. Ideal candidates should display a team-oriented mindset, strong communication skills, and a passion for financial operations. This apprenticeship offers a blend of on-the-job training and structured learning, ensuring a supportive environment for career growth.

Benefits

Mentorship programs

Health and wellbeing benefits

Access to professional training

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Demonstrated determination to tackle challenges head-on.
• Ability to apply yourself for exam success.
• Interest in tax laws and financial goals.

Responsibilities

• Work with a diverse team in tax advisory roles.
• Engage directly with clients on financial strategies.
• Mentor junior team members as responsibilities grow.

Skills

Team-oriented mindset

Curiosity about business operations

Excellent written and verbal communication

Comfortable with numbers and analytical

Education

Minimum 112 UCAS points across 3 A Levels

Job description

Overview

Make an Impact at RSM UK – Tax

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 and a clear goal to become the premium adviser to the middle market, globally. If you are looking for a firm where you can build a future and make an impact, then RSM is the place for you.

Envision pursuing a career path where each day presents a unique challenge, a chance for growth and filled with possibilities. Our tax school / college apprenticeship programme is your gateway to a future, brimming with opportunities and new experiences.

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 to real-life solutions for our clients, helping 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 understand the balance of exam training and work. Within many teams there will be other school leavers who have joined Team Tax in the last few years and 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 an increasingly complex business environment, harness tax incentives to reduce their overall tax liability, expand their global reach navigating international tax rules or plan a seamless tax-efficient exit. Each client interaction is a chance to make a real impact and with the advance of AI, your role is increasingly more important.

Our specialist areas within Team Tax include 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 collaborating with people right across the business and engaging 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.

As you progress through your apprenticeship you'll gain a deeper understanding of your chosen area of tax. This will be reflected in the complexity of your client portfolio and increased responsibilities, including the rewarding opportunity to help the next generation on their journey by mentoring junior team members.

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, your skills, experience and qualifications should include:

• A team-oriented mindset, curiosity about business/financial operations, and the interplay between taxation, personal wealth, and financial goals
• 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
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Being comfortable with numbers, an analytical mindset and an interest in the law
• 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)

If that sounds like you, we know you’ll enjoy being part of Team Tax.

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

The start date for this role is on 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

When you join Team Tax, you’ll enjoy a powerful combination of on-the-job learning and structured training – not to mention an impressive client list to work with. You’ll discover a team culture that nurtures individuality and supports everyone to reach their potential.

As part of Team Tax, you’ll always be moving forward.

• You’ll study towards the ATT qualification for the first two years and then towards ACA or CTA professional qualifications (depending on which area of Tax you join). The study will be hard work, but the benefits will be worth it
• As you grow in Team Tax, you’ll benefit from being mentored in a culture that wants you to be the best version of you, to grow and be part of RSM’s future
• Alongside technical training, you will attend internal development training courses to ensure you have the professional and personal skills to become a trusted business adviser
• You’ll have access to lifestyle, health and wellbeing, including financial wellbeing benefits which you can tailor to your requirements

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

Please note: 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.