Tax Associate in Northampton

About CBTax

CBTax is an award-winning, global R&D tax consultancy firm with offices in Manchester and Northampton in the UK, Dublin serving the Republic of Ireland, and our newest location in New York supporting the US market.

About the Role

This is a core role within our Tax team. You'll sit at the critical final stage of the claim process — the point at which the work done by our delivery team is converted into the tax computations and compliance forms that are actually submitted to HMRC. Accuracy matters enormously here; this is a role where attention to detail is the most important skill you can bring. You'll be preparing tax computations, adjusting them to incorporate R&D tax relief, and identifying opportunities to maximise the benefit for our clients by applying the right reliefs available under the legislation. This role is suitable for a recent graduate in accounting or finance looking to build a career in tax, or for someone already working at an accountancy or R&D firm at associate level who wants to join a rapidly growing international consultancy.

Key Responsibilities

• Tax computations — preparing and adjusting corporation tax computations to incorporate R&D tax relief and maximise the benefit available to the client.
• Compliance submissions — accurately preparing and submitting pre-notification forms and Additional Information Forms (AIFs) to HMRC as part of the claim process.
• Legislation application — identifying when different types of relief can be utilised and applying the correct treatment in line with current R&D legislation.
• Quality control — reviewing your own work (and, with experience, the work of others) to an exceptionally high standard before progressing through the QC process.
• Deadline management — keeping on top of HMRC submission deadlines and managing workload through month-end pressure points.
• Client benefit maximisation — spotting opportunities within a claim where additional reliefs or optimisations can legitimately be applied.

Qualifications

Essential

• A degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related discipline.
• Exceptional attention to detail — this is the single most important attribute for this role.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Comfortable working under deadline pressure, particularly at month-end.
• Competent with Microsoft Office (Excel in particular).
• Genuinely interested in building a long-term career in tax, and willing to undertake ATT qualification.
• Based in or within commutable distance of Northampton.

Desirable

• Prior experience preparing corporation tax computations or tax returns, either in practice or at an R&D consultancy.
• Exposure to HMRC compliance forms (pre-notification, AIF, CT600).
• Experience working in an R&D tax environment specifically.

What We Offer

• A clear progression path from Associate through to Senior Associate and beyond, with real scope to develop into a technical specialist within the team.
• Direct exposure to the full R&D claim lifecycle and HMRC submission process — genuinely valuable technical grounding that is hard to get elsewhere.
• A supportive team environment where your questions and input are welcomed.
• The stability of a specialist firm with the pace and ambition of a business scaling across the UK, Ireland, and the US.

Benefits & Perks

• Commission: build your own portfolio through client referrals and earn commission.
• Pension: 5% employer pension contribution.
• Healthcare: BUPA healthcare to support your health and well-being.
• Tech Scheme: Access to the latest technology.
• Flex Benefits: Tailor your perks to suit your lifestyle.
• Employee incentives: A range of excellent employee incentives to ensure your efforts are rewarded.
• Recognition: Get seen. Get rewarded. Get promoted.