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 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 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
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
Head of Tax in London employer: Dow Schofield Watts
At DSW Legal, we empower ambitious legal professionals to launch their own practices with the robust support of an established national professional services group. Our unique Breakout Incentive offers financial backing, dedicated coaching, and a comprehensive operational infrastructure, allowing you to focus on client relationships and business growth while enjoying the autonomy and flexibility to shape your future. Join us in a collaborative work culture that values entrepreneurial spirit and provides exceptional opportunities for personal and professional development across the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Tax in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, webinars, and local meetups to connect with other tax professionals. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Head of Tax role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a personal brand by sharing insights on tax trends and best practices on LinkedIn. This will not only highlight your knowledge but also attract potential employers to you.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Prepare a compelling elevator pitch that summarises your experience and what you can bring to the table. You never know when you'll meet someone who could help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got a streamlined application process that makes it easy for you to showcase your skills. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at Dow Schofield Watts.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Tax in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your expertise in transaction tax and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how you can bring your unique flair to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about tax advisory and how your background aligns with our goals. Be sure to mention your entrepreneurial spirit and how you envision growing our national tax practice.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Whether it's leading successful tax due diligence projects or building strong client relationships, we want to know how you've made an impact in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dow Schofield Watts
✨Know Your Tax Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK corporate tax rules and international tax principles. Be ready to discuss specific areas like loss utilisation and capital allowances, as well as how they apply to real-world scenarios. This will show that you're not just book-smart but also practical.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading a team, be prepared to share examples of your leadership experience. Talk about how you've managed multidisciplinary teams in the past and any successful projects you've led. Highlight your ability to mentor others and build strong client relationships.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some tough technical questions during the interview. Review common tax due diligence scenarios and be ready to explain how you would approach them. Practising with a colleague or mentor can help you articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Demonstrate Your Business Acumen
This role is all about growing a national tax practice, so be ready to discuss your ideas for business development. Think about how you can leverage the Dow Schofield Watts brand and your own expertise to attract clients. Show that you understand the market and have a vision for the future.
