At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead national transaction tax practice and guide clients through their transactions.
- Company: Join a top-tier accountancy firm with a pioneering brand.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, tailored career development, and a clear path to business ownership.
- Other info: Empower entrepreneurial professionals and build lasting client relationships.
- Why this job: Accelerate your career in a collaborative environment designed for growth.
- Qualifications: Professional qualifications (ACA, ACCA, CTA) and significant experience in transaction tax.
The predicted salary is between 67500 - 82500 £ per year.
National Head of Tax
Location
United Kingdom (flexible as to location, but prime hubs are London, Manchester, Leeds, Midlands)
About the Role
We are offering an exceptional opportunity for a highly skilled and ambitious Tax professional to join our award-winning advisory network.
In this pivotal role, you will lead our national transaction tax practice, initially focusing on tax due diligence, guiding clients through every stage of their transactions, and ultimately building a thriving tax advisory business within our network.
This is your chance to establish and grow a national tax practice for the Dow Schofield Watts client base, leveraging the strength of our brand and your expertise.
You will recruit and develop a team of tax specialists to deliver best‑in‑class due diligence and advisory services to our clients.
To support your success, we provide
- Dedicated coaching and mentoring to guide your professional and leadership development.
- Skills training and masterclasses to enhance your expertise.
- A bespoke PR and networking plan to raise your profile and expand your reach.
- Regular strategic sessions to help you shape and execute your business plan, preparing you to launch and grow your own business within the Dow Schofield Watts group.
We are passionate about empowering entrepreneurial professionals.
This is a unique opportunity to accelerate your career, invest in your future, and thrive in an environment designed for growth.
About You
You are an ambitious, entrepreneurial Tax specialist with exceptional technical knowledge and proven leadership experience.
You excel at building strong client relationships, delivering complex tax solutions, and have the drive to create and grow your own business.
- Required Skills & Experience
- Professional Qualifications
- ACA, ACCA, CTA or equivalent (CTA strongly preferred).
- Significant post‑qualification experience in a transaction tax, corporate tax, or M&A environment.
- Technical Expertise
- Deep knowledge of UK corporate tax rules, including loss utilisation, capital allowances, group relief, intangibles, and financing rules.
- Understanding of international tax principles (OECD, BEPS 2.0, transfer pricing).
- Experience drafting and negotiating SPA/APAs tax clauses.
- Proven ability to lead tax due diligence projects and manage multidisciplinary teams.
- Collaborate with our transaction services team to win combined financial and tax due diligence engagements.
- Strong commercial awareness, with experience working with private equity and corporate acquirers.
- Excellent communication, report‑writing, and presentation skills.
- Build lasting client relationships and identify post‑deal advisory opportunities.
- Ability to manage multiple concurrent transactions under tight deadlines.
- Typical Background
- Experience in a Big Four or large mid‑tier advisory firm, or transaction tax role in‑house/private equity.
- Track record of delivering high‑value due diligence tax advice on deals of varying size, from mid‑market to large‑cap.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead buy‑side and sell‑side tax due diligence engagements across the UK and cross‑border transactions.
- Identify key tax risks, exposures, and opportunities impacting valuation and deal structure.
- Review historic tax compliance, tax provisioning, and uncertain tax positions.
- Produce high‑quality tax due diligence reports.
- Advise clients on efficient transaction structures, including share and asset deals.
- Support SPA/APA tax clause drafting and negotiation.
- Client Relationship Management — Act as a trusted adviser to private equity firms and corporate clients; build strong long‑term relationships and identify additional advisory opportunities.
- Technical Leadership — Stay up to date with UK tax legislation and international tax developments; provide technical guidance to senior managers and managers.
- Practice Development & Growth — Contribute to business development, including proposal writing and pitching; mentor and coach junior staff.
- Why Join Us
- Opportunity to work with a top‑tier accountancy firm, with a pioneering brand.
- Significant investment in your career development, with a tailored development programme to fast‑track your career progression.
- Collaborative and inclusive work environment, with easy access to partners and peers for guidance and advice.
- Competitive salary and benefits package with a clear career route to owning your own business.
- Seniority level
- Director
- Employment type
- Full‑time
- Job function
- Accounting/Auditing
- Industries
- Financial Services, Accounting, and Investment Advice
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Head of Tax employer: Dow Schofield Watts
As a leading financial advisory firm, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. With significant career development opportunities and a competitive salary, our National Transaction Tax Growth Director role offers the chance to lead a dynamic team while guiding clients through critical processes. Located in the UK, we provide a supportive environment where your expertise can make a meaningful impact on both client success and your professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Tax
✨Join Tax Networks
Get involved in tax-focused networks or associations, like the Chartered Institute of Taxation. These communities often host events and workshops which can help you make connections with industry professionals, plus they might even have job boards exclusive to members.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for tax-related conferences and seminars. Events like these are not only great for learning but also for meeting potential employers face-to-face. Use these opportunities to ask questions and express your interest; it’s all about putting a face to the name!
✨Leverage Social Media
Follow leading tax advisory firms, such as Dow Schofield Watts, on social media. Engage with their posts – comment, share insights, or even ask questions. This can help you get noticed and show your enthusiasm for the industry before you even apply!
✨Showcase Your Knowledge
Consider writing articles or blogs on tax trends and issues. Sharing your expertise on platforms like LinkedIn can boost your visibility and establish you as someone who is serious about a career in tax advisory. Plus, it gives you something to discuss when you land that interview!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Tax
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Tax Knowledge:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant tax qualifications, certifications, or coursework you've completed. We want to see that you understand tax laws, regulations, and compliance issues—so detail your academic background or any practical experience in tax advisory to catch Dow Schofield Watts's eye!
Quantify Your Achievements:In the tax consultancy field, showing measurable outcomes from your previous work can set you apart. Use your CV to include specific examples of how your advice helped clients save money or avoid penalties. Numbers speak volumes in our industry and can really highlight your impact.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express why you're passionate about tax consultancy and why you're excited about working at Dow Schofield Watts. Share any personal experiences or insights that fuel your interest in the tax advisory field—let your enthusiasm shine through!
Keep It Professional but Approachable:While your written application should maintain a professional tone, don’t be afraid to let a bit of your personality show. Tax advisory is about building relationships, so if you can convey your approachable nature in your writing, that's a bonus when applying for this full-time role at Dow Schofield Watts!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dow Schofield Watts
✨Know Your Tax Fundamentals
Brush up on the core principles of tax law, especially recent updates that might affect clients. During the interview, we could face scenario-based questions where we'll need to apply these principles to solve problems, so get comfy with hypothetical situations!
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
Tax advisory isn't just about knowing the rules; it’s about interpreting them. Make sure to prepare examples from your previous studies or experiences where you successfully analysed complex data. We want to demonstrate how we can bring those analytical skills to the table for Dow Schofield Watts.
✨Understand the Consulting Aspect
Since this is a full-time role, the interview might involve discussing how we communicate tax strategies to clients. Think about times we've interacted with clients or presented technical information in a digestible way. This shows we’re not just tax boffins but can also connect with people!
✨Your Long-Term Vision
As we're aiming for a full-time position, it's important to convey our enthusiasm and long-term interest in tax advisory. Be prepared to chat about why we’re passionate about this field and how we see ourselves growing within Dow Schofield Watts. It helps to show our commitment!
