Graduate Employment Tax Trainee (ATT/CTA) - London - January 2027

Are you looking to start your career in tax, help organisations meet their tax obligations and ensure employees are taxed correctly? We’re seeking ambitious individuals from all backgrounds to join our team as a trainee, studying towards the ATT/CTA joint qualification.

Who we are

Saffery is a partner-led and people-focused firm of chartered accountants, tax and business advisers. Since 1855, we’ve built long-term relationships with our diverse, high-profile clients, across varied and specialised sectors. As a proud member of Nexia, a worldwide network of trusted member firms, we’ve got access to local insight on a global scale. We pride ourselves on our informal and inclusive culture, building an environment where people can be themselves and enjoy challenging, interesting, rewarding careers.

Who we welcome

We recognise that talent comes from different paths, so we encourage applications from recent graduates or career changers. We do not expect applicants to have any prior relevant work experience. We are open to those without any experience or for professionals who may have up to a years' experience in Employment Tax.

Our training contract takes between three years to complete with full support and access to first-class tuition centres. You’ll follow a structured development programme combining professional study with on-the-job learning. As your knowledge and confidence develop, you’ll take on more complex work, contribute to projects and build your expertise as a trusted advisor.

If you’re AAT Level 4 qualified, you will be eligible for exemptions, otherwise we ask for all trainees to complete the full ATT/CTA syllabus. We believe that studying alongside a cohort gives you the best chance of exam success.

Your role and development

As an Employment Tax Trainee, you'll support a wide range of UK and international clients with their employment tax compliance and advisory needs, helping them navigate complex tax rules and reporting requirements. Working within our specialist Employment Tax team, you'll gain exposure to a diverse portfolio of clients, from owner-managed businesses to large multinational organisations. You'll be supported every step of the way as you build your technical knowledge, develop professional skills and work towards becoming a trusted adviser.

What you'll do

• Assist with the preparation and submission of employment tax compliance work, including P11D reporting, PAYE Settlement Agreements (PSAs) and Short-Term Business Visitor (STBV) reporting.
• Support the team in reviewing employee expenses, benefits and payroll information to ensure compliance with HMRC requirements.
• Help prepare calculations, reconciliations and supporting documentation for client submissions.
• Respond to client queries, carrying out research and drafting responses with guidance from more experienced colleagues.
• Liaise with HMRC by phone, email and correspondence to resolve client matters and support compliance obligations.
• Work with colleagues across tax, payroll and other service lines to deliver joined-up advice to clients.
• Use a variety of systems and software to analyse data, prepare reports and manage client information.
• Support employment tax advisory projects, gaining exposure to areas such as employee benefits, share schemes, global mobility and expatriate taxation.

What you'll learn

• How the UK employment tax system works and the role employers play in collecting and reporting tax.
• The principles behind PAYE, National Insurance Contributions, benefits-in-kind and employee expense rules.
• How to prepare and review key employment tax compliance submissions, including P11Ds, PSAs and STBV reports.
• The practical application of tax legislation and HMRC guidance in real-life client situations.
• How to communicate professionally with clients, colleagues and HMRC.
• How to analyse data, identify potential risks and provide practical solutions to tax issues.
• The fundamentals of employment tax advisory work and how different areas of tax interact with payroll and reward.
• The skills needed to build trusted client relationships and develop a successful career in tax.

You’ll join a friendly and supportive team that is committed to helping you learn and grow. With exposure to a wide variety of clients and employment tax matters, you’ll quickly build valuable technical expertise while developing the professional skills needed for a successful career in tax.

What you'll need

• 2:1 undergraduate degree (obtained) in any discipline.
• A minimum of 120 UCAS points from your top 3 A Levels or Highers (or equivalent), excluding General Studies and AS Levels.
• A minimum of 6 (or B) in GCSE or National 5 Maths and English Language (or equivalent).

We welcome applications from candidates who are AAT qualified. If you have completed AAT studies (up to Level 4) in place of A Levels or Highers, please detail this under the A Level, Scottish Highers (or equivalent) qualifications section on your application form.

We understand that confidence plays a role in job applications, and some candidates may hesitate to apply. If this role excites you and aligns with your career ambitions, we’d love to hear from you!

What we’ll offer you

• Profit-sharing scheme (approx. £1,000 per year)
• Generous annual leave & flexible work arrangements
• Contributory pension plan (5% salary match)
• Work life balance & wellbeing
• Buddy scheme and/or line manager support
• Agile working policy (up to three days working from home, however in your first few months we do encourage up to 4 days in the office to reap the benefits of training around your managers and colleagues)
• Health assessments, GP access, & cancer screenings
• Access to mental health & wellbeing resources
• Mentorship & career progression opportunities
• Participation in our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) programme
• Volunteer to join one of our People networks, including Accessibility, Cultural Heritage, Faith, LGBTQ+, Social Mobility and Gender Equality

What to know before you apply

We also recommend practising psychometric tests and learning more about how to approach a face-to-face, competency-based interview. This will help you feel confident and prepared to show your best self.

You can apply to just one of our programmes during each recruitment season. If your application isn’t successful this time, we’d love for you to try again when applications re-open next September for the following year.

If you’ve experienced extenuating circumstances (such as bereavement, mental health challenges, or any other unforeseen situation), that may have impacted your academic performance, please reach out to us before you submit an application.

If you require any reasonable adjustments, please look out for further details throughout our assessment process on how to request throughout each stage of our application and assessment process. We’re committed to assessing all applicants fairly and want to do everything we can to support your success throughout the process.

If you are selected for an in-person interview, we will provide reimbursement for your travel expenses. More information on what we cover will be shared at this stage of the process.

If you're offered a place at Saffery, we kindly recommend holding off on booking any annual leave around your expected start date. This helps ensure you don’t miss out on important training and onboarding sessions that will set you up for success.