R&D Tax Assistant Manager
The Role
As an R&D Tax Assistant Manager, you’ll be part of a collaborative team specialising in R&D tax reliefs. You’ll take ownership of preparing and reviewing R&D tax claims, ensuring they are compliant with UK tax legislation and accurately reflect clients’ innovation activities. The role combines technical insight with client engagement, playing a key part in delivering high-quality service and supporting the firm’s continued growth.
Core Skills
Claim Delivery
• Lead and manage the full end-to-end preparation of R&D claims.
• Confidently gather technical and financial information from clients, including leading project qualification, technical narrative, cost analysis, and apportionment discussions with minimal support.
• Prepare complex draft calculations, including detailed cost breakdowns and qualifying expenditure analyses.
• Identify potential risk areas and eligibility concerns, proposing appropriate mitigation steps and flagging key issues for review.
Report Preparation
• Write clear, persuasive technical narratives in line with DSIT guidelines and internal processes.
• Produce well-structured, professional reports that accurately capture the qualifying R&D activities and address any potential compliance risks.
• Take personal responsibility for the quality and presentation of all deliverables.
• Meet deadlines efficiently, proactively communicating any changes to scope or timescales.
Portfolio Management
• Manage your own client portfolio, ensuring projects are scheduled and delivered in line with expectations and statutory deadlines.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, encouraging collaboration and accountability.
• Identify out-of-scope work early and propose appropriate fee adjustments for review and approval.
• Monitor work in progress and ensure accurate tracking of project status and billing.
Soft Skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with curiosity and enthusiasm for science, technology, and innovation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to interpret and apply complex tax legislation in real-world contexts.
• Flexible mindset, able to adapt quickly to different industries and client needs.
• Meticulous attention to detail and strong numerical capability.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and commercially aware.
• An interest in identifying and developing new business opportunities.
Technical Skills
• Solid understanding of R&D tax legislation, HMRC guidance, and relevant case law.
• Stay informed on legislative updates and tribunal outcomes, assessing their impact on clients and claims.
• Confident in advising how HMRC may interpret borderline projects or costs, and able to build defensible arguments based on legislation.
Qualifications
• A degree in a STEM discipline such as Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Ideally, a professional qualification such as ATT, or completion of an R&D tax training programme.
Experience
• Previous experience within R&D tax advisory at a reputable consultancy or accountancy firm.
• Preferably, prior hands-on experience in a technical or scientific role, bringing a practical understanding of industry processes and innovation.