At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a private client tax team and manage complex tax portfolios.
- Company: Established UK accountancy practice with a focus on personal tax.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, generous leave, and professional development.
- Other info: Opportunity for clear progression and a supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Shape a growing team and make a real impact in private client tax.
- Qualifications: CTA qualified with significant experience in personal tax and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 85000 € per year.
Salary: c.£75,000–£85,000 + bonus
Location: Edinburgh (hybrid)
Lead advisory work and shape a growing team. If you’re an experienced private client tax adviser who enjoys solving complex issues, building trusted client relationships, and leading people well, this is a genuinely senior opportunity with our client in Scotland. You’ll take ownership of a high-quality portfolio, drive advisory work (not just compliance), and play a key role in developing a strong Private Client Tax team.
The Opportunity: This is a leadership role within a well-established UK accountancy practice, offering the chance to influence service delivery, mentor and develop talent, and act as a senior point of contact for private client tax matters. The role is ideally based in Edinburgh, with hybrid working available.
Key Responsibilities
- Private Client Portfolio Leadership
- Manage a varied private client portfolio, covering personal tax compliance and advisory.
- Identify and advise on tax-sensitive expenditure, planning opportunities and wider tax issues.
- Act as a senior escalation point for technical queries and complex client matters.
- Liaise directly with clients to resolve queries efficiently and professionally.
- Technical Delivery and Risk Management
- Ensure HMRC deadlines are met across your portfolio, with strong attention to detail and quality.
- Coordinate with internal teams to keep work on track and deliver to agreed timelines.
- Undertake and oversee research into complex tax legislation, translating it into practical advice.
- Team Leadership and Development
- Support the management of the Private Client Tax team through appraisals and performance conversations, coaching and technical guidance, delegation and review to improve quality and consistency.
- Contribute to a positive culture where the team’s voice is heard and development is prioritised.
- Commercial and Operational Focus
- Monitor and manage utilisation, productivity and WIP.
- Provide clear guidance and feedback to colleagues to keep standards high and outcomes consistent.
What We’re Looking For
- CTA qualified (or ACA / ACCA / CA with strong personal tax focus).
- Significant UK practice experience in Personal Tax / Private Client Tax (or Mixed Tax with a strong private client bias).
- Minimum 7+ years’ UK practice experience in tax, with proven delivery at Senior Manager / Associate Director / Director level (or ready to step up).
- Strong advisory capability, including the confidence to handle complex personal tax planning, HMRC enquiries and correspondence, technical research and interpretation of legislation.
- Evidence of leadership: coaching, reviewing work, developing juniors, and helping teams perform well.
- Comfortable managing deadlines, client expectations, and portfolio delivery in a structured way.
Salary, Benefits and Working Arrangements Package
- £75,000–£85,000 basic salary (depending on experience).
- Performance-related bonus (where applicable).
- Hybrid working and flexible approach to office attendance.
- Enhanced pension and employer contributions.
- Generous annual leave plus bank holidays (with option to buy/sell in some packages).
- Private medical cover (often available at senior level).
- Life assurance and income protection.
- Professional subscription support and ongoing CPD.
- Clear progression pathways and scope to grow with the team as it develops.
Interested? Let’s talk
If you’re a private client tax leader looking for a senior role in Scotland, I’d welcome a confidential conversation.
Contact: Diane Shaw
Email: d.shaw@h-fts.com
Please send your CV or a brief overview of your current situation, and we will take it from there.
Confidentiality: All applications and discussions will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Personal Tax Director in Edinburgh employer: Hawthorne-finch Talent Solutions
Join a well-established UK accountancy practice in Edinburgh as a Personal Tax Director, where you will lead a dynamic team and manage a diverse private client portfolio. Enjoy a supportive work culture that prioritises employee development, offers hybrid working arrangements, and provides a comprehensive benefits package including enhanced pension contributions and private medical cover. This role not only allows you to influence service delivery but also offers clear progression pathways for your career growth in a thriving environment.
Contact Detail:
Hawthorne-finch Talent Solutions Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Personal Tax Director in Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even reach out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your experience and how it relates to the role of Personal Tax Director. Highlight your leadership skills and advisory capabilities, as these are key for this position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Personal Tax Director in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the Personal Tax Director role. Highlight your advisory capabilities and leadership experience, as these are key for us.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this position. Share examples of how you've successfully managed client portfolios and led teams in the past.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Since this role involves complex tax issues, be sure to mention your experience with personal tax planning and HMRC correspondence. We want to see your technical expertise shine through!
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, apply directly through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and get back to you quickly. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hawthorne-finch Talent Solutions
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest personal tax legislation and complex tax planning strategies. Being able to discuss recent changes and how they impact clients will show your expertise and confidence.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or mentored junior staff in the past. Highlighting your ability to develop talent and foster a positive team culture will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Client Relationship Focus
Be ready to discuss how you've built and maintained strong client relationships. Share specific instances where you've resolved complex issues for clients, as this role heavily relies on trust and communication.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the firm's approach to private client tax and their vision for the team. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company aligns with your career goals.
