Tax Graduate Programme July 2027, St Albans

Mercer & Hole; St Albans; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sponsorship & study support

Learning Academy

Mentor support

Direct access to partners

Diverse client work

Job summary

Mercer & Hole's Tax graduate programme is designed for curious, outgoing people who enjoy tackling complex technical matters and working with clients to achieve the best outcomes. You will study toward ATT & CTA while gaining practical private client tax experience.

You’ll learn through funded study, structured support, and direct access to senior managers and partners. The programme builds technical skills, client relationships, and professional qualifications over four years, with progression

Qualifications

• Degree in any subject and genuine desire to build a career in tax.
• Outgoing, approachable style and confidence building client relationships.
• Curiosity and enthusiasm for navigating complex technical information.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to explain information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Collaborative mindset and personal responsibility.
• Motivation to study towards professional qualifications alongside your role.

Responsibilities

• Prepare personal tax returns and review financial information.
• Help clients understand their obligations and provide practical advice.
• Investigate information, solve problems and communicate with HMRC and clients.
• Develop ownership of work and build trusted private client relationships.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Communication

Client relationship building

Team collaboration

Education

Any degree

Job description

Build a career where technical challenge, trusted relationships and continuous learning come together.

Our Tax graduate programme is designed for curious, outgoing people who enjoy getting to grips with complex technical matters and working with clients to achieve the best possible outcomes. As legislation and client circumstances evolve, you will keep learning, apply sound judgement and turn detailed information into clear, practical support.

At Mercer & Hole, you will join a people-first organisation where trainees are known, supported and encouraged to contribute. You will work closely with experienced colleagues and have genuine access to senior managers and partners, giving you insight into both client work and the wider firm from the start.

What You’ll Do

You will work within our Private Client team, while studying towards the ATT & CTA qualifications. With funded study, college time and structured support, you will connect your technical learning directly to personal tax work for a varied portfolio of private clients.

You will prepare personal tax returns, review financial information and help clients understand their obligations. As you develop, you will support more complex work and deliver clear, practical advice. You will investigate information, solve problems and communicate with HMRC and clients. Over time, you will take greater ownership of work and build trusted private client relationships.

How You’ll Progress

Year 1 — Build strong foundations

From the outset, you will apply your problem‑solving skills by preparing basic accounts and personal tax returns. With support from the team, you will review client information, investigate gaps, liaise with HMRC and draft clear client communications.

Year 2 — Broaden your expertise

Build your technical confidence by managing a small client portfolio and working on more complex personal tax matters, including Capital Gains Tax and EIS relief. You will develop your client management and advisory skills, with opportunities to mentor new trainees while continuing to receive support.

Year 3 — Take greater ownership

Work with your manager to identify planning opportunities and help shape advice for clients. You will complete personal tax computations and returns to a high standard, carry out an initial review of junior trainees’ work, proactively manage client relationships and share technical research with colleagues.

Year 4 — Prepare for your next step

Complete your professional qualification, consolidate your technical and client‑management skills, and prepare to progress to your first management role.

What You’ll Bring

• A degree in any subject and a genuine desire to build a career in tax.
• An outgoing, approachable style and confidence building relationships with clients and colleagues.
• Curiosity and enthusiasm for navigating complex technical information.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with careful attention to detail.
• The ability to explain information clearly and adapt your communication to different audiences.
• A collaborative mindset, personal responsibility and a commitment to doing the best for clients.
• Motivation to study towards relevant professional qualifications alongside your role.

What We’ll Deliver For You

• Sponsorship and study support to achieve ATT & CTA professional qualifications and membership of CIOT.
• Structured learning through college, study leave and our Learning Academy.
• Additional Learning Academy curriculum focusing on leadership, AI and digital skills to accelerate your development.
• A dedicated training manager, buddy support and trainee development activities.
• Varied, meaningful client work with increasing responsibility as your confidence grows.
• Direct access to senior managers and partners, with opportunities to learn from people at the top of the organisation.
• A clear route for progression in a stable, rewarding and continually evolving career.
• A people-first culture that invests in your development during the programme and throughout your career.

Mercer & Hole is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

Our people are our most valuable asset. We bring our life experiences, knowledge, creativity, and talents together at Mercer & Hole making it a great place to work where all can safely thrive.