At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to learn and adapt in the fast-paced world of tax and trusts.
- Company: Mercer & Hole, a Top 50 firm with a family feel and supportive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, continuous training, and a clear path for career progression.
- Other info: Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of our culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while learning from experienced professionals in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Minimum 2:2 honours degree and 112 UCAS points required.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 32000 £ per year.
Why choose our tax & trusts graduate programme?
Tax & Trusts offers a fast-paced career. Every time the law changes or there’s a new budget, tax advisors need to get up to speed quickly and adapt their strategies. It’s a job in which you’ll always be learning and adapting to provide the best quality advice. Tax & Trusts also provides a stable and lucrative career path with fast progression and rewarding work.
At Mercer & Hole, our tax & trusts team work hard to stay up to date with the latest legislation and strategies which is how we provide exceptional service to our clients and maintain our status as a Top 50 firm. We pride ourselves on learning and development for our trainees and have lots of structures in place to support you on your journey with us, for example trainee away days, a dedicated training manager and buddy as well as study leave to name just a few.
Training and development also doesn’t stop when you qualify – we are committed to continually developing our staff regardless of whether you’re a trainee or a director through our ‘Learning Academy’ so you are guaranteed a great investment in your future!
What will I be doing as a tax & trusts graduate?
Our tax & trusts graduate programme is designed to support your learning and development. You will work as part of the Trustees team while studying the ATT-CTA qualification. You will spend time at college which is a good bridge between studying from your degree and entering the world of work.
The Trustees team sit within the Private Client practice and focuses on administration, taxation, and management of trusts, estates and probate matters. The team helps individuals and families protect and transfer wealth efficiently while ensuring compliance with trust and tax legislation.
The variety of clients we work with provides you with a well-rounded experience, and the structure of our teams allows you the opportunity to gain knowledge from and exposure to senior managers and partners throughout your training and beyond.
Structure of our tax & trusts graduate programme:
- Year 1: You will have the opportunity to bring your problem-solving skills from higher education to help prepare basic sets of accounts and tax returns (both personal and trust) from the outset and really get stuck into working with the team, speaking to HMRC, drafting emails to clients. You will also analyse information provided by clients and use your investigative skills to find out further information to fill in any gaps.
- Year 2: You will build on your experience gained in your first year of the tax & trusts graduate programme and learn new skills such as managing a small client portfolio and applying technical knowledge in more complex areas of tax such as Inheritance Tax and Capital Gains Tax. You will learn the preparation of more complex trust accounts, trust tax returns and forms R185. You may also gain some experience in the administration of estates including the preparation of IHT accounts and assisting with probate applications. You will also have the opportunity to mentor new trainees while still being supported to achieve your goals.
- Year 3: Having built a good base level of knowledge from the first two years as a tax & trusts graduate, you will now start to identify planning opportunities for clients with your manager and assist with giving advice. You’ll also be able to complete personal, trust and Inheritance Tax computations and returns to an excellent standard. You will have the initial review of junior trainees’ work and ensure it is presented to managers in a complete state. You’ll have the opportunity to proactively manage client relationships and share technical research with your team at ‘sharing knowledge’ sessions.
At the end of your fourth year, you will have completed your professional qualification and start to prepare for a role as an Assistant Manager.
If you think this is something you would be interested in, then do apply!
We really want to attract and retain individuals who share our Values:
- Together: The firm with the family feel. Express gratitude. Smile. Be humble and confident. Have fun.
- Resilient: Change is imminent, and business is imperfect. Be open minded & agile. Assume positive intent and exercise the power of positive thinking. Each individual matters and will be heard and respected. Honesty, integrity, empathy and kindness are fundamental.
- Supportive: We support what is important to you and show kindness in our behaviour to each other. We encourage each other to realise our potential. We strive to be the best, innovate and always do exceptional work. That’s who we are and what our clients deserve.
Mercer & Hole is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Our people are our most valuable asset. We bring our life experiences, knowledge, creativity, and talents together at Mercer & Hole making it a unique place to work where all can safely thrive.
Experience: Minimum 2:2 honours degree and 112 UCAS points, which must comprise of at least 3 A-Levels or equivalent i.e. BTEC (excluding EPQ's).
Tax & Trusts Graduate Programme 2026 – London employer: Mercer & Hole Chartered Accountants
At Mercer & Hole, we offer an exceptional environment for growth and development within our Tax & Trusts Graduate Programme in London. Our commitment to continuous learning, coupled with a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion, ensures that every employee can thrive and progress in their career. With structured training, mentorship opportunities, and a focus on maintaining a family feel, we are dedicated to investing in your future while providing meaningful and rewarding work.
Contact Details:
Mercer & Hole Chartered Accountants Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Tax & Trusts Graduate Programme 2026 – London
✨Get Involved in Relevant Forums
Engage with tax advisory forums and communities, like TPR (Tax Policy Response) or local tax professionals' groups. This will not only help you to stay updated on the latest in tax law but can also connect you with professionals who might just be looking for a fresh trainee like you!
✨Leverage University Resources
Most universities have fantastic career services, especially for trainee roles in consulting. Attend career fairs and workshops they host, and make the most of any industry connections they offer. Don't forget to reach out to your professors—they often have valuable contacts in the tax advisory space.
✨Ace Those Informational Interviews
Set up casual chats with tax advisors or consultants working in the industry. This is your chance to ask them what they love about their work and the skills required. It shows you're genuinely interested and can often lead to insider tips or even direct referrals to roles like the one at Mercer & Hole Chartered Accountants.
✨Look for Workshops and Training Events
Keep an eye on tax advisory workshops and training events—these are gold mines for networking and skill-building. Participating in these can help you get noticed and potentially put you ahead of the competition when applying for trainee roles at places like Mercer & Hole Chartered Accountants.
We think you need these skills to ace Tax & Trusts Graduate Programme 2026 – London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In the tax advisory and consulting field, we love to see solid academic performance. Share your grades, relevant coursework, and any certifications you might have, like a tax qualification or accounting modules. These details help demonstrate that you’ve got the theoretical knowledge to back up your ambitions!
Highlight Relevant Experience:Even if you’re just starting out, any internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer work related to finance or tax can set you apart. Make sure to include any practical experience you've gained, as it shows us you're already familiar with the field and how it operates!
Express Your Interest and Motivation:When writing your cover letter, be sure to convey why you’re excited about this trainee position at Mercer & Hole Chartered Accountants. Share what drives you towards tax advisory and consulting. It’s all about showing us your passion and your potential to grow within this role!
Polish Up Your CV Format:In tax advisory, clarity and organisation are key! Make your CV easy to read with a clear structure and headings. We recommend having a skills section that highlights analytical skills and attention to detail. This is super important in our field, as we frequently deal with complex information that needs precision!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mercer & Hole Chartered Accountants
✨Understand the Tax Landscape
Dive deep into the current tax regulations and trends that your potential clients might be facing. Knowing the intricacies of tax law, recent changes, or upcoming reforms will show Mercer & Hole Chartered Accountants that you're passionate and informed, which is crucial for a trainee in tax advisory.
✨Show Off Your Analytical Skills
Be ready to tackle some case study scenarios or hypothetical tax issues during the interview. Practising how to break down complex financial information and present clear solutions will help us demonstrate our analytical abilities, which is key in tax advisory consulting.
✨Emphasise Your Eagerness to Learn
As a trainee, the company is mainly interested in your potential rather than your experience. Highlight instances when you’ve quickly adapted to new information or processes in past academic or work settings - this will help illustrate your motivation and ability to grow in the role at Mercer & Hole Chartered Accountants.
✨Be Prepared for Compliance Questions
Expect questions about tax compliance and different tax strategies. Having an understanding of how these can impact businesses will demonstrate your commitment to the field and readiness to contribute positively at Mercer & Hole Chartered Accountants as you kick off your career.
