At a Glance
- Tasks: Support tax compliance and reporting processes while analysing data for advisory projects.
- Company: Join 1st Central, a leading insurance company with a focus on smart data and technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and recognition as Insurance Employer of the Year.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by improving data quality and tax processes in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Newly qualified or finalist in ACA, ACCA, CTA; experience in financial or tax reporting.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
We’re 1st Central, a market-leading insurance company utilising smart data and technology at pace. Rapid growth has been based on giving our 1.4 million customers exactly what they want: great value insurance with an excellent service. And that’s the same for our colleagues too; we won Insurance Employer of the Year at the British Insurance Awards 2024 and our Glassdoor score is pretty mega too!
If you enjoy working with data, digging into the detail, and helping ensure things are done accurately and in the right way, this could be a great opportunity — whether your background is in tax, finance reporting, audit, or a controls/operations environment.
You’ll help support the Group’s end‑to‑end tax compliance and reporting processes, working closely with internal finance teams and external advisers. We welcome applications from people with direct tax experience as well as those bringing transferable skills from finance reporting, audit, controls, or data‑focused roles — we’ll support you to build the tax knowledge needed.
You’ll be hands‑on with everything from VAT, IPT and Corporation Tax compliance to providing data analysis for advisory projects and supporting month‑end and year‑end processes. What matters most is a strong analytical approach, confidence reconciling data, and a careful, well‑controlled way of working — you don’t need to have done every tax type before. It’s a role that offers variety, exposure to a wide range of topics, and the chance to make a real impact by improving data quality, controls, and how tax processes operate across the Group.
The role is based in Haywards Heath, West Sussex and we love hybrid working. You’ll spend most of your time working from home, with around one day a week in the office. But, if you prefer being office‑based more often, that works for us too.
Core skills we’re looking for:
- Data analysis & reconciliation – confident working with complex datasets, reconciling figures, and identifying anomalies.
- Compliance / reporting mindset – experience supporting accurate submissions in a regulated reporting environment (e.g., tax, finance reporting, audit or controls), with the ability to follow defined processes and maintain clear working papers.
- Attention to detail & control mindset – highly accurate and methodical, with a focus on strong documentation and well‑controlled processes.
What’s Involved:
- Tax Compliance Support – You’ll manage the preparation of the Group’s quarterly VAT and IPT returns, ensuring accurate data extraction, reconciliation, and review. You’ll take a lead on coordination with PwC on the annual Corporation Tax return preparation, providing data, responding to queries, and supporting review stages. You’ll support PwC with Pillar 2 and CbCR data requests and validations.
- Tax Accounting & Month‑End Support – You’ll work with the Group Strategic Finance & Control Team to support tax accounting processes by providing data, explanations and confirmation of tax positions. You’ll assist with reconciliations and review of tax‑relevant balances as needed. You’ll lead SME input for year‑end including review of the deferred tax postings and tax disclosures.
- Data Analysis & Advisory Support – You’ll support the Tax Manager with data gathering, modelling and analysis for advisory projects. You’ll help identify anomalies, trends or potential tax risks/opportunities through structured analysis.
- Business Engagement – You’ll liaise with AP teams to correct tax treatments on invoices and improve process accuracy. You’ll build collaborative relationships with operational teams to support information gathering and explain tax requirements in simple, practical terms.
- Governance, Risk & Continuous Improvement – You’ll support process improvements around data quality, controls and automation in the tax compliance cycle. You’ll maintain tax process documentation, controls, and working papers to audit‑ready standards. You’ll assist with responses to HMRC queries or audits as required.
Skills & Experience
Essential
- Newly qualified (or finalist) in a relevant qualification: ACA, ACCA, CTA or equivalent.
- Experience in financial reporting or tax reporting (either in practice or in‑house).
- Comfortable working with large, complex datasets and performing reconciliations.
- Strong Excel skills; familiarity with Power BI desirable.
- Ability to learn new systems and processes quickly (Workday, TM1/Adaptive etc.)
Desirable
- Experience preparing VAT or indirect tax returns.
- Exposure to insurance or financial services.
- Familiarity with Pillar 2, CbCR.
Tax Analyst in London employer: First Central Services
At 1st Central, we pride ourselves on being an award-winning employer, recognised for our commitment to both customer satisfaction and employee well-being. Our hybrid working model allows for flexibility, enabling you to balance your professional and personal life while working in a supportive environment that fosters growth and development. With opportunities to engage in diverse tax projects and a culture that values collaboration and innovation, joining our team in Haywards Heath means becoming part of a dynamic company that truly invests in its people.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Tax Analyst in London
✨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 First Central Services, 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 Tax Analyst in London
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 First Central Services'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 First Central Services. 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 First Central Services!
How to prepare for a job interview at First Central Services
✨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 First Central Services.
✨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 First Central Services. It helps to show our commitment!
