Tax Apprenticeship (CFAB - ACA CTA) - Corporate and Business
Application Deadline: 12 December 2025
Department: Corporate Tax
Location: City, London
Compensation: £27,100 / year
At Moore Kingston Smith, we believe in the potential of people to make a positive impact, fuelled by the power of genuine understanding. As an accredited training firm, we’re committed to providing first‑class professional development in a supportive and friendly environment. Over four years, you’ll gain hands‑on experience, develop essential skills, and build the foundation for a successful career in corporate tax. You’ll work with businesses across a wide range of sectors while earning your CFAB, ACA and CTA qualifications, to become an ICAEW Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Advisor.
Key Responsibilities for the first 12 months
- Managing your time and communicating effectively with those you work with while typically working on around three projects a week, picking up ad‑hoc tasks along the way.
- Making a direct impact on your clients’ business with tasks ranging from the annual tax compliance cycle (including a growing portfolio of large, complex international clients), tax audit, and working on bespoke tax advisory projects.
- Understanding a company’s financial statements and information, inputting relevant data into Alphatax, the software used for the preparation of corporation tax returns.
- Developing knowledge and understanding of tax legislation and adjustments required in a tax computation in order to calculate a company’s liability to tax.
- Receiving training across corporate tax such as transfer pricing, R&D and creative tax.
You’ll receive support and guidance in all your tasks, as you gain exposure across the wider business and learn the different ways we support and engage with our clients.
Your Path to Qualification
In this role you will be completing a structured four‑year training contract, starting on a Level 4 apprenticeship to achieve the CFAB qualification, before progressing onto a Level 7 apprenticeship to complete the ACA and CTA qualifications.
- In year one, you will start by completing the ICAEW Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business (CFAB) which covers six core modules.
- You will then progress onto the ICAEW ACA professional level exams while starting the CTA pathway, which includes a bridging paper and ethics requirements.
- Entering years three and four, you will complete ACA professional papers before progressing to ACA Advanced Level exams and CTA specialist papers, ultimately achieving dual qualification with ICAEW and CIOT.
- You will gain 450 days of relevant work experience, supported by on‑the‑job learning and guidance from your manager.
- You will develop key professional skills through structured training and development.
- You will be accountable for maintaining your ICAEW training file.
- You will follow a planned schedule of work and study, with regular revision and training sessions leading up to key exams during the year.
Support Provided
- You will attend in‑person tuition with our trusted training provider during set study blocks.
- Paid study leave.
- Ongoing support from a Buddy, Training Manager and Training Partner, with regular feedback and development reviews.
- Access to wellbeing resources and a supportive network to help you thrive.
Who are we looking for?
Our Tax Apprenticeship Programme is open to students from a range of backgrounds, whether straight out of college, or someone looking for a career change or return to work, but it does not require you to have a university degree. You’ll be provided with training and support throughout your career with us, and the CFAB - ACA/CTA qualification pathway has a structured study and exam programme to allow you to prepare proactively, so you don’t need to have prior technical knowledge or experience, but we do look for the following:
- A clear motivation to pursue a career in corporate tax, supported by an understanding of the CFAB, ACA and CTA qualifications
- Enthusiasm for building strong relationships and collaborating with clients and colleagues, with close support from your manager.
- A proactive, results‑driven attitude, ensuring excellent client service and a commitment to delivering high‑quality work with integrity and professionalism.
- A dedication to ethical standards, ensuring your work aligns with professional guidelines and best practices.
- Strong commitment and reliability, enabling you to balance your studies and exams (with paid study leave) alongside your full‑time role and responsibilities.
- A growth mindset and adaptable approach, with a willingness to continuously acquire new skills and knowledge, supported by your manager, learning coach and dedicated early talent team.
- A commitment to understanding, built on respect, collaboration, and active listening.
Eligibility
- Have obtained at least 112 UCAS points from three A‑Levels, or equivalent qualifications
- Be permitted to work in the UK, for at least 4 years from the start date of the programme.
Recruitment Process
We recruit on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply at your earliest convenience to avoid missing out. The application process is made up of four stages:
- Application
- Interactive assessment
- Virtual interview with one of the Early Talent team
- Final interview in the office (if you’re being considered for the role)
If your application is progressed, we will reach out by inviting you to complete an interactive assessment online with more information on how to prepare and what to expect.
The Early Talent team are here to support you throughout the recruitment process and on the training contract. In confidence, we can discuss the individual support and adjustments you may need. A few examples of the support we can provide include but are not limited to: providing extra time in our interactive assessment or sharing interview questions ahead of time. If successful in securing a place on our training contract, we will organise a confidential call to discuss how we can work with you on the training contract to enable you to perform at your best.
