Graduate Tax Trainee (ACCA) - Dublin - September 2027

Saffery Champness; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentorship

Career progression

Flexible work

Generous annual leave

Pension plan

Job summary

Saffery Champness in Dublin is seeking a Graduate Tax Trainee (ACCA) to start in September 2027. The role focuses on tax advisory and compliance for a diverse client base, with structured study and on‑the‑job learning to support ACCA qualification.

The three‑year training contract offers mentorship, exposure to film, TV, and gaming clients, and opportunities to develop as a trusted tax advisor within a supportive culture.

Qualifications

• Tax residents in the Republic of Ireland required.
• 2:1 undergraduate degree in any discipline.
• A minimum of 400 Leaving Certificate points or 120 UCAS points from top 3 A Levels/Highers.
• A minimum of B in GCSE, National 5 or Junior Certificate Maths and English.
• AAT Level 4 qualification may qualify for exemptions.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the preparation of tax returns, computations and other filings for a range of clients.
• Support tax advisory and compliance work through research, calculations and client projects.
• Work with financial data using specialist software to deliver accurate tax services.
• Gain exposure to domestic and international clients in film, TV, and gaming sectors.
• Learn Irish tax incentives and reliefs relevant to creative industries while supporting advisory projects.
• Build relationships with clients and colleagues to propose practical tax solutions.

Skills

Tax advisory

Tax compliance

Financial data analysis

Education

2:1 undergraduate degree

AAT Level 4

Job description

Graduate Tax Trainee (ACCA) - Dublin - September 2027

Are you looking to start your career in Tax, helping individuals and businesses navigate an increasingly complex tax landscape? We’re seeking ambitious individuals from all backgrounds to join our team as a trainee, studying towards the ACCA qualification.

Who we are

Saffery is a partner-led and people-focused firm of chartered accountants, tax and business advisers. Since 1855, we’ve built long-term relationships with our diverse, high-profile clients, across varied and specialised sectors. As a proud member of Nexia, a worldwide network of trusted member firms, we’ve got access to local insight on a global scale.

We pride ourselves on our informal and inclusive culture, building an environment where people can be themselves and enjoy challenging, interesting, rewarding careers.

When you work with Saffery, the well-respected accountancy firm where heritage meets ambition, you work with people who know your name. Who know you as a human being, not just a job title. Everyone belongs here. Always.

Who we welcome

We recognise that talent comes from different paths, so we encourage applications from recent graduates or career changers. We do not expect applicants to have any prior relevant work experience.

Our tax team deals with a large portfolio of corporate and private clients. You will be working in a fast-paced environment on tax advisory and compliance services. Our team are leading advisors in Ireland to the film and TV industry, and you will work with large Irish independent producers as well as Hollywood studios and streaming service providers. In addition, we do significant work in the Irish digital gaming sector, and R&D tax credits. This is an exciting time to join our team which is expanding rapidly.

About the programme

Our training contract takes three years to complete with full support and access to first-class tuition centres. You’ll follow a structured development programme combining professional study with on-the-job learning. As your knowledge and confidence develop, you’ll take on more complex work, contribute to projects and build your expertise as a trusted advisor.

If you’reAAT Level 4 qualified, you will be eligible for exemptions, otherwise we ask for all trainees to complete the fullACCA syllabus. We believe that studying alongside a cohort gives you the best chance of exam success.

Key dates to apply:

Monday 14 September 2026 - Sunday 4 October 2026

We encourage early applications to avoid disappointment, as roles may close early due to high demand.

Due to the volume of applications, you may occasionally experience delays; however, we remain committed to reviewing all applications fairly. All applications are assessed by trained human reviewers, and automated tools are not used to make final decisions.

Your role and development

Your growthdoesn't just come from exams. It comes from valuable work experience and real-world learning.

What you’ll do

• Assist with the preparation of tax returns, computations and other compliance filings for a range of clients.
• Support tax advisory and compliance work by carrying out technical research, preparing calculations and reports, and assisting with client projects and queries.
• Work with financial and client data, using specialist software and systems to deliver accurate, high-quality tax services.
• Gain exposure to a broad range of domestic and international clients, including high-net-worth individuals, family offices and businesses operating in the film, TV and gaming sectors.
• Learn about Irish tax incentives and reliefs, including those relevant to the creative industries, while supporting advisory projects and tax planning discussions.
• Build relationships with clients and colleagues, contributing to practical solutions that help clients meet their tax obligations and achieve their goals.

What you’ll learn

• Core tax principles, legislation and regulatory requirements.
• How tax rules apply to different clients and business situations.
• How to analyse financial information and prepare tax returns, calculations and technical documentation.
• The role tax plays in compliance, advisory work and business decision-making.
• How to communicate technical information effectively.
• The practical application of your professional qualification studies in a real-world environment.
• Corporate and personal tax compliance, reporting and tax planning opportunities.

We’ll support you every step of the way through mentorship, structured training, and our off-site trainee programmes as well as regular social events to build friendships with colleagues.

What you'll need

• This role requires employees to be a tax resident in the Republic of Ireland.
• 2:1 undergraduate degree (expected or obtained) in any discipline,
• A minimum of 400 Leaving Certificate points or 120 UCAS points from your top 3 A Levels or Highers (or equivalent), excluding General Studies and AS Levels,
• A minimum of B (or equivalent) in GCSE, National 5 or Junior Certificate Maths and English Language.

We welcome applications from candidates who are AAT qualified. If you have completed AAT studies (up to Level 4) in place of A Levels or Highers, please detail this under the A Level, Scottish Highers (or equivalent) qualifications section on your application form.

If you have over 12 months relevant experience within a training contract at another firm, we recommend exploring part-qualified opportunities on our Experienced Hire vacancy page .

We understand that confidence plays a role in job applications, and some candidates may hesitate to apply. If this role excites you and aligns with your career ambitions, we’d love to hear from you!

Where potential meets personal meets you

At Saffery, we look for people who share our values. We're looking for individuals who are collaborative, responsible, progressive and act with integrity, whilst always striving for excellence.

You'll be approachable, committed and ready to take ownership of your work, with a proactive and curious mindset and a genuine interest in how businesses operate. We value people who are organised, pay close attention to detail, enjoy working with financial data, and can manage their time effectively.

You'll thrive in a close-knit team environment, working collaboratively with others while taking responsibility for your own development. We want people who are willing to learn, ask questions, speak up when something could be better, and help make improvements happen.

Here, you're never just a number. We value drive, focus and a positive attitude, but we also value who you are as a person. We believe in caring more, leaving egos behind, supporting each other and enjoying the journey together. There's genuine mutual respect here and a two-way relationship where we bring out the best in each other.

We’ll help you get to know our clients, but we also look for people who are naturally inquisitive about the wider business and economic landscape. If you're curious, eager to learn, and committed to giving your best, you'll find plenty of support and opportunities to succeed as you work towards yourqualification and beyond.

You’ll be surrounded by people who value you, your contributions, and your potential.

What we’ll offer you

We believe thatsupporting our people leads to success, so we provide both core and flexible benefits tailored to your needs:

• Profit-sharing scheme (approx. €1,000 per year)
• Generous annual leave & flexible work arrangements
• Contributory pension plan (5% salary match)

Work life balance & wellbeing

• Buddy scheme and/or line manager support
• Agile working policy (up to three days working from home, however in your first few months we do encourage up to 4 days in the office to reap the benefits of training around your managers and colleagues)
• Health assessments, GP access, & cancer screenings
• Access to mental health & wellbeing resources

Personal development and belonging

• Mentorship & career progression opportunities
• Participation in our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) programme
• Volunteer to join one of our People networks, including Accessibility, Cultural Heritage, Faith, LGBTQ+, Social Mobility and Gender Equality

What to know before you apply

• Before submitting your application, take some time to familiarise yourself with our recruitment process by visiting How to apply - Saffery . Through this page you can also navigate to guidance on how to appropriately use AI in your application.
• We also recommend practising psychometric tests and learning more about how to approach a face-to-face, competency-based interview. This will help you feel confident and prepared to show your best self.
• You can apply to just one of our programmes during each recruitment season. If your application isn’t successful this time, we’d love for you to try again when applications re-open next September for the following year.
• If you’ve experienced extenuating circumstances (such as bereavement, mental health challenges, or any other unforeseen situation), that may have impacted your academic performance, please reach out to us before you submit an application - [e-mail] .
• If you require any reasonable adjustments, please look out for further details throughout our assessment process on how to request throughout each stage of our application and assessment process. We’re committed to assessing all applicants fairly and want to do everything we can to support your success throughout the process.
• If you are selected for an in-person interview, we will provide reimbursement for your travel expenses. More information on what we cover will be shared at this stage of the process.
• If you're offered a place at Saffery, we kindly recommend holding off on booking any annual leave around your expected start date. This helps ensure you don’t miss out on important training and onboarding sessions that will set you up for success.