Tax & Trusts 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 for ATT & CTA

Study leave

Structured Learning

Learning Academy

Dedicated training manager

Diverse client work

Progression opportunities

People-first culture

Job summary

Mercer & Hole in the United Kingdom is recruiting for a Tax & Trusts graduate programme designed for curious, outgoing people who enjoy tackling complex technical matters and working with clients to deliver the best outcomes.

You will study towards ATT & CTA qualifications with funded study, college time and structured support, applying learning directly to real client work within our Trustees team in Private Client.

Qualifications

• Degree in any subject.
• 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 attention to detail.
• Clear communication adapted to different audiences.
• Collaborative mindset and personal responsibility for clients.
• Motivation to study towards professional qualifications alongside your role.

Responsibilities

• Assist in administration, taxation and management of trusts, estates and probate matters.
• Help individuals and families protect and transfer wealth while ensuring compliance with trust and tax legislation.
• Investigate information, solve problems, communicate with HMRC and clients, and prepare high-quality work.
• Gradually take ownership of client relationships and assignments.

Skills

Curiosity

Outgoing personality

Client relationship building

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Any degree

Job description

Build a career where technical challenge, trusted relationships and continuous learning come together. Our Tax & Trusts 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 Trustees team, part of the Private Client practice, while studying towards the ATT & CTA qualifications. With funded study, college time and structured support, you will be able to connect your technical learning directly to real client work.

Your work will span the administration, taxation and management of trusts, estates and probate matters. You will help individuals and families protect and transfer wealth efficiently while ensuring compliance with trust and tax legislation.

You will investigate information, solve problems, communicate with HMRC and clients, prepare high-quality work and gradually take greater ownership of relationships and assignments. The variety of clients and matters means no two days are quite the same.

How You’ll Progress

Year 1 — Build strong foundations

Apply your problem-solving skills from the outset by preparing basic accounts and personal and trust tax returns. You will analyse client information, investigate gaps, speak with HMRC and draft clear client communications, all with support from the team.

Year 2 — Broaden your expertise

Build technical confidence in areas such as Inheritance Tax and Capital Gains Tax while beginning to manage a small client portfolio. You will prepare more complex trust accounts, trust tax returns and forms R185, and may gain experience of estate administration, IHT accounts and probate applications. You may also 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, trust and Inheritance 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 trusts and 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.