At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare and review R&D tax relief claims for SME clients across various sectors.
- Company: A growing specialist R&D tax consultancy with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Opportunity for career progression and technical development in a supportive environment.
- Other info: Join a quality-focused team and work closely with experienced professionals.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by delivering compliant, enquiry-ready claims in a dynamic field.
- Qualifications: Experience in R&D tax claims and strong analytical skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
A growing specialist R&D tax consultancy is looking to appoint an experienced R&D Cost Consultant / R&D Tax Specialist to support the preparation, review, and defence of high-quality R&D tax relief claims for SME clients across multiple sectors. This role combines financial analysis, legislation interpretation, and compliance-focused claim delivery within a collaborative technical environment.
The Role
- Preparing accurate R&D expenditure calculations in line with HMRC guidance
- Reviewing existing claims for compliance, optimisation opportunities, and risk
- Applying SME and RDEC scheme rules appropriately across claims
- Interpreting payroll, subcontractor, and consumables data to determine eligibility
- Supporting responses to HMRC compliance checks and enquiries
- Producing documentation aligned with enquiry-ready standards
- Working closely with technical specialists and client finance teams to gather required information
- Supporting internal peer review and quality assurance processes
About You
This opportunity would suit someone currently working within an R&D tax consultancy or accountancy-led R&D team with strong exposure to claim costing and compliance. We are particularly interested in candidates with:
- Experience preparing or reviewing UK R&D tax relief claims
- Strong knowledge of SME and RDEC schemes
- Confidence interpreting financial data to identify qualifying expenditure
- Exposure to HMRC enquiries or compliance checks
- Strong attention to detail and analytical capability
- ACA, ACCA or CTA qualifications (or studies) would be beneficial but are not essential.
Why Apply?
This role offers the opportunity to:
- Join a growing specialist consultancy environment
- Play a key role in delivering compliant, enquiry-ready claims
- Develop deeper technical exposure across R&D tax legislation
- Work closely with experienced technical and commercial stakeholders
- Progress within a supportive and quality-focused delivery team
If you are currently working in R&D tax and looking for a role with stronger technical exposure and involvement across the full claim lifecycle, we would be pleased to hear from you.
R&D Cost Consultant / R&D Tax Specialist in Manchester employer: Focus Search and Selection
Join a dynamic and growing specialist R&D tax consultancy that values collaboration and technical excellence. With a focus on employee development, you will have the opportunity to deepen your expertise in R&D tax legislation while working alongside experienced professionals in a supportive environment. Our commitment to quality and compliance ensures that you will play a vital role in delivering high-quality claims for our SME clients across various sectors.
Contact Details:
Focus Search and Selection Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land R&D Cost Consultant / R&D Tax Specialist in Manchester
✨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 Focus Search and Selection, 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 R&D Cost Consultant / R&D Tax Specialist in Manchester
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 Focus Search and Selection'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 Focus Search and Selection. 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 Focus Search and Selection!
How to prepare for a job interview at Focus Search and Selection
✨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 Focus Search and Selection.
✨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 Focus Search and Selection. It helps to show our commitment!
