Employment Tax Manager in Reading

We are partnering with a forward-thinking, friendly and inclusive accountancy and business advisory firm to appoint an Employment Tax Manager or Assistant Manager. This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded employment tax specialist who wants to build a varied portfolio, work closely with clients, and continue their personal and professional development within a firm that genuinely values work-life balance and long-term careers.

You will join an established employment taxes team that sits alongside wider business tax, corporate finance, VAT and other specialist service lines, giving you access to a broad mix of work and the chance to collaborate across the firm.

The role:

• Deliver and develop a broad spectrum of UK employment tax advisory and compliance services, with regular client contact and the chance to contribute to growth.
• Pro-actively build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with a portfolio of clients across diverse sectors.
• Provide timely, accurate and commercial employment tax advice, ensuring high levels of client service.
• Act as a go-to contact for HR, finance and leadership teams on employment tax matters.

Core UK employment tax advisory & compliance:

• Advise on all aspects of UK domestic employment tax, including PAYE, National Insurance and benefits-in-kind.
• Manage P11Ds, PAYE Settlement Agreements (PSAs) and related filings.
• Advise on benefits packages and salary sacrifice arrangements.
• Provide guidance on CIS, IR35 and employment status assessments.
• Stay up to date with employment tax legislation and best practice, and translate changes into practical client advice.
• Support on tax due diligence assignments, identifying employment tax risks and opportunities in target companies/groups.
• Work closely with corporate tax and corporate finance teams during transactions to ensure employment tax issues are properly identified and managed.
• Assist with the design and implementation of share option schemes (predominantly EMI), noting that legal documentation is handled externally.
• Help create and implement growth share strategies and structures.
• Contribute to tax valuations for share options and growth shares.
• Advise on employment-related securities (ERS) and associated reporting and returns.
• Deliver and support training, coaching and mentoring of junior team members.
• Share technical knowledge and contribute to internal updates on employment tax developments.
• Help identify and act on new business opportunities, primarily from the existing client base but also through wider firm relationships.

What we are looking for:

• ACA / ACCA / ATT / CTA (or equivalent) with strong tax technical grounding.
• Solid employment tax experience across a range of issues (PAYE, NIC, benefits, PSAs, P11Ds, CIS, IR35, status).
• Experience working with a diverse client base and sectors; exposure to international employment tax issues is helpful but not essential.
• Experience with share plans, EMI and growth shares, or a strong interest and aptitude to develop in this area.
• Exposure to employment tax aspects of due diligence and transactions is an advantage.
• Strong technical skills with a keen eye for detail and commitment to quality.
• Commercial outlook able to provide practical, business-focused advice, not just technical analysis.
• Excellent communication skills able to explain complex tax issues clearly to non-specialists.
• A genuine team player, comfortable collaborating with the wider tax team and other service lines.
• Motivated to continue developing their career in a supportive, growth-oriented environment.

Eligibility:

You must already hold UK right to work; sponsorship is not available for this role at present.

Culture, working style & progression:

You will be joining a firm that is:

• Big enough to have dedicated employment tax, VAT, corporate finance and other specialist teams, and to bring the whole firm together for regular events.
• Small enough that you will be seen, heard and able to shape your own career path.
• A supportive, friendly and inclusive culture with a genuine emphasis on well-being and work-life balance.
• Hybrid working once probation is complete typically 2-3 days a week in the office, flexed according to workload and client needs.
• A structured yet flexible approach to career progression, with clear routes to develop your technical expertise, client portfolio and seniority.
• The chance to be involved in wider firm activities, training and initiatives if you enjoy contributing beyond pure client work.

Location & hybrid model:

Core offices for this role are Reading, Oxford, Newbury and Southampton, with hybrid working available after the initial onboarding period. During probation, you will spend more time in the office building relationships and gain exposure to the team and clients.

The firm is particularly suited to candidates who:

• Currently commute into London but live closer to one of these offices, and are keen to swap a long daily commute for a more manageable local journey.
• Value flexibility and autonomy but also want to feel part of a close-knit, on-site team.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary aligned to level (Assistant Manager / Manager) and experience.
• Discretionary annual bonus based on performance.
• A comprehensive benefits package and flexible/hybrid working arrangements.
• Ongoing professional development and support for further qualifications or specialisation.