Corporate Tax Senior in Crewe

Lead Corporate Tax Compliance with an Expanding Practice. Are you a fully qualified tax professional with 5 years practice experience ready to take ownership of a corporate tax portfolio and lead client relationships? Our client, a well-established chartered certified accountancy firm in Crewe with over 20 years of excellence, is seeking a Corporate Tax Senior to join their expanding tax department. This is an outstanding opportunity to manage your own portfolio of corporate tax clients, handle complex tax matters, and develop junior team members. With clear progression to management level, excellent remuneration, and a supportive culture, this role offers the perfect platform for ambitious tax professionals looking to advance their careers.

About the Role: As a Corporate Tax Senior, you'll take full responsibility for managing a diverse portfolio of corporate tax clients from straightforward corporation tax returns to complex group structures and tax planning matters. You'll work independently on most assignments, provide technical tax advice, and act as the primary point of contact for clients. You'll also supervise and mentor junior tax staff whilst contributing to the growth and development of the tax department. This is a full-time position with flexible working arrangements available, offering excellent work-life balance in a professional practice environment that values technical excellence, client service, and staff development.

Key Responsibilities:

• Corporation Tax Compliance & Returns
• Prepare and review corporation tax computations for limited companies, groups, and close companies.
• Manage a diverse portfolio of corporate tax clients with varying complexity levels.
• Calculate corporation tax liabilities, deferred tax, and tax provisions.
• Ensure accurate completion and timely submission of all CT600 returns and computations.
• Review corporation tax returns prepared by junior staff for accuracy and compliance.
• Prepare quarterly instalment payment (QIP) calculations for large companies.
• Handle amended returns, claims, and elections (capital allowances, group relief, R&D tax credits).
• Prepare iXBRL-tagged corporation tax computations for HMRC submission.
• Manage close company loans to participators (s455 tax) and associated tax implications.
• Advise on accounting period changes and short accounting periods.
• Calculate and advise on marginal relief and associated company considerations.

Capital Allowances:

• Prepare detailed capital allowances computations for plant and machinery, fixtures, and structures.
• Advise on Annual Investment Allowance (AIA), super-deduction, and first-year allowances.
• Handle special rate pool, main pool, and short-life asset elections.
• Prepare computations for integral features, land remediation relief, and business premises renovation allowance.
• Advise on capital allowances planning to optimise tax relief timing.
• Handle disposal values, balancing charges, and cessation computations.
• Prepare capital allowances claims for property transactions (fixtures, elections, pooling requirements).
• Advise on structures and buildings allowance (SBA) for qualifying expenditure.

Group Tax & Restructuring:

• Prepare group relief claims and surrenders for loss relief and other group reliefs.
• Advise on group structures, consortium relief, and group payment arrangements.
• Handle substantial shareholding exemption (SSE) claims for capital gains.
• Prepare tax computations for intra-group transfers, hive-ups, and hive-downs.
• Advise on degrouping charges and anti-avoidance provisions.
• Support corporate restructuring projects including share-for-share exchanges and reconstructions.
• Handle controlled foreign company (CFC) rules and diverted profits tax considerations.
• Advise on transfer pricing for intra-group transactions and documentation requirements.

Corporate Tax Planning & Advisory:

• Provide proactive corporate tax planning advice to clients.
• Advise on tax-efficient profit extraction strategies (dividends, salaries, pensions, benefits).
• Develop tax planning strategies for business acquisitions, disposals, and restructuring.
• Advise on incorporation relief, disincorporation relief, and business property relief.
• Provide guidance on research and development (R&D) tax credits (SME and RDEC schemes).
• Advise on patent box regime for qualifying intellectual property income.
• Support clients with exit planning and succession planning from a tax perspective.
• Identify and implement tax saving opportunities across corporation tax, capital gains, and income tax.
• Prepare tax projections and forecasts for business planning and cash flow management.
• Advise on tax implications of financing arrangements (debt vs equity, interest deductibility).

Research & Development (R&D) Tax Credits:

• Identify qualifying R&D activities and expenditure for SME and RDEC schemes.
• Prepare R&D tax credit claims including technical and financial reports.
• Liaise with clients' technical teams to gather project information and evidence.
• Calculate enhanced deductions and payable tax credits for loss-making companies.
• Advise on R&D tax credit planning and maximising available relief.
• Support clients through HMRC R&D enquiries and compliance checks.
• Ensure compliance with R&D tax credit legislation and HMRC guidance.

Client Relationship Management:

• Act as primary point of contact for corporate tax clients.
• Build and maintain strong trusted relationships with clients and their finance teams.
• Conduct client meetings to discuss tax matters, planning opportunities, and compliance.
• Communicate complex tax matters clearly and in plain English to clients.
• Respond to client queries promptly and professionally.
• Provide excellent client service that enhances the firm's reputation.
• Identify opportunities for additional services and cross-selling.
• Support business development activities and client retention.

HMRC Correspondence & Enquiries:

• Handle HMRC correspondence, queries, and notices on behalf of clients.
• Manage corporation tax enquiries and investigations including full and aspect enquiries.
• Prepare responses to HMRC information requests and technical queries.
• Negotiate settlements with HMRC where appropriate.
• Handle penalty appeals and mitigation submissions.
• Manage time-to-pay arrangements and payment negotiations.
• Deal with discovery assessments, determinations, and closure notices.
• Liaise with HMRC corporation tax teams and specialist units.

Technical Compliance & Quality:

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of corporation tax legislation, case law, and HMRC guidance.
• Ensure all work complies with current tax law and professional standards.
• Apply anti-money laundering (AML) procedures and client due diligence.
• Ensure compliance with professional conduct in relation to taxation (PCRT) standards.
• Review and quality-check work prepared by junior staff.
• Contribute to the firm's tax technical resources and knowledge base.
• Participate in technical training and CPD activities.
• Provide technical support and guidance to colleagues on complex tax matters.

Team Leadership & Supervision:

• Supervise, mentor, and develop tax assistants and trainees.
• Delegate work appropriately and monitor progress.
• Review corporation tax computations and returns prepared by junior staff.
• Provide constructive feedback, coaching, and on-the-job training.
• Support recruitment and training initiatives within the tax department.
• Contribute to a positive collaborative team environment.

Practice Development:

• Contribute to the growth and development of the tax department.
• Support marketing and business development initiatives.
• Participate in client seminars, webinars, and technical updates.
• Build relationships with professional contacts (accountants, solicitors, IFAs, business advisors).
• Represent the firm professionally in the local business community.
• Identify opportunities to expand the corporate tax service offering.

What We’re Looking For:

• Essential Qualifications & Experience:
• Fully qualified tax professional (CTA, ATT, ACA, ACCA with tax specialism or equivalent).
• Minimum 5 years corporate tax experience within an accountancy practice environment.
• Comprehensive knowledge of UK corporation tax legislation including CT computations and compliance.
• Strong experience preparing and reviewing corporation tax returns (CT600) for diverse client types.
• Proven ability to manage a corporate tax portfolio independently.
• Experience handling complex corporate tax matters including groups, restructuring, and planning.
• Demonstrated ability to provide corporate tax planning advice to clients.
• Experience managing HMRC enquiries and correspondence.
• Strong knowledge of capital allowances including AIA, super-deduction, and special rate pool.
• Experience with group relief, consortium relief, and group structures.
• Experience supervising and reviewing junior staff work.
• Proficiency with tax software (CCH, Alphatax, Digita Taxfiler or similar).
• Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Office applications.
• Strong understanding of accounting standards (UK GAAP, FRS 102) and their tax implications.

Desirable Skills & Experience:

• Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification.
• Experience with R&D tax credits (SME and RDEC schemes).
• Knowledge of transfer pricing and documentation requirements.
• Experience with corporate restructuring (share-for-share exchanges, demergers, reconstructions).
• Understanding of controlled foreign company (CFC) rules and diverted profits tax.
• Experience with substantial shareholding exemption (SSE) claims.
• Knowledge of patent box regime and intellectual property taxation.
• Experience with international tax matters and double tax treaties.
• Experience with tax investigations and settlements.
• Business development and networking experience.
• Experience with Making Tax Digital (MTD) for corporation tax preparation.

Key Skills & Attributes:

• Exceptional technical tax knowledge with meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong analytical skills able to interpret complex tax legislation and apply to client situations.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills able to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.
• Outstanding communication skills both written and verbal with ability to explain tax matters clearly.
• Client relationship management skills, professional, approachable, and trusted advisor.
• Commercial awareness, understanding of clients' businesses and commercial objectives.
• Proactive and solutions-focused, able to identify planning opportunities and solve problems.
• Leadership qualities, able to supervise, motivate, and develop junior staff.
• Self-motivated, able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Professional judgement, able to make sound decisions on technical tax matters.
• Commitment to quality and accuracy in all aspects of work.
• Team player with collaborative approach and positive attitude.

Excellent Benefits Package:

• Competitive salary: £38,000 - £48,000 per annum (dependent on experience, qualifications, and portfolio responsibility).
• Flexible working: Hybrid/Flexible working arrangements available with work-from-home options.
• Career progression: Clear pathway to Tax Manager, Senior Manager, and Partner level with structured development plans.
• Professional development: Regular technical training, tax updates, CPD opportunities, and leadership development.
• Study support: Support for further qualifications (CTA, ATT) if not already held.
• Mentorship: Direct exposure to partners and senior management with coaching and career guidance.
• Professional subscriptions: CIOT/ATT/ICAEW/ACCA membership fees paid by the firm.
• CPD support: funding for relevant tax courses, conferences, and professional development activities.
• Modern technology: Access to leading tax software platforms and digital tools.
• Supportive culture: Collaborative professional environment where technical excellence is valued.
• Social events: Regular team activities, celebrations, networking events, and charity fundraising.
• Pension scheme: Competitive workplace pension contribution.
• Annual leave: Generous holiday entitlement plus bank holidays (with additional days for long service).

About Our Client:

Our client is a chartered certified accountancy practice based in Crewe, Cheshire with over 20 years of experience serving businesses and individuals across the UK. They provide a comprehensive range of services including accountancy, audit, taxation, payroll, bookkeeping, and business advisory to a diverse and loyal client base. Following a period of significant growth and expansion, the firm is now recruiting across all departments to support their growing client portfolio and ambitious plans for the future. The tax department has experienced particularly strong growth with an increasing number of corporate tax clients requiring high-quality proactive tax compliance and planning services. The firm has secured numerous new corporate clients including growing SMEs, group structures, R&D-intensive businesses, and companies undergoing expansion or restructuring. This is an exciting time to join a practice that is investing in its tax team, systems, and service offering.

How to Apply: If you’re ready to take the next step in your corporate tax career and manage your own portfolio with a supportive established practice that offers genuine progression to management and partner level, we’d love to hear from you. To apply or discuss this opportunity in confidence please contact: Contact Jake on or call directly on 0.