Innovation Reliefs Associate Tax Director

Job Description

About the firm and department

As one of the world’s largest networks of audit, tax and consulting firms, RSM will help you reach your full potential. Our Innovation Reliefs Team works with a range of companies, from start-ups to multinationals, to assist them in the preparation of claims for Research & Development tax relief. 

The team has experienced rapid growth over the past few years and is looking to further grow the team to support continued opportunities. We work with companies across all sectors, most notably manufacturing, engineering, life sciences, software and digital technologies to assist them to identify and prepare successful tax relief claims. The variety of projects and impressive client list will challenge you every day, helping you expand your capabilities and grow professionally. Further to this, with access to a global team that spans more than 120 countries, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to broaden your horizons. Discover a culture that nurtures individuality and celebrates fresh thinking!

About the opportunity

• This is an exciting opportunity to lead, grow and shape our Yorkshire region practice and to work in a large and growing specialist Innovation Reliefs (IR) tax team at RSM.
• The role involves leading R&D claim engagements and taking a key role in growing our business. It will involve working with our client’s finance teams and also directly with technical specialists at companies who are at the forefront of innovation within their businesses, whilst also experiencing a role in a global professional services firm.
• Leading R&D claim engagements including financial management and billing, staffing, risk procedures, deliverables and client relationships.
• Meeting with clients and potential clients across the region to explain our services and secure new work.
• Managing client service teams, junior staff and coordinating service delivery across a portfolio of clients.
• Developing claim methodologies and preparing R&D tax relief claims for submission to HMRC.
• Coordinating and leading interviews with clients’ technical and finance teams to advise on the R&D tax relief and to assist with identification of qualifying R&D activities and expenditure.
• Preparing and reviewing robust costing and technological documentation to support the R&D claims based on the Corporation Tax Act legislation, UK BEIS guidelines and HMRC CIRD manual.
• Reviewing work completed by junior staff for accuracy and completeness, and to provide feedback.
• Building an internal network within the firm and an external network with intermediary companies.
• Identifying and progressing business development opportunities with both new and existing clients.
• Preparation of documentation and liaison with HMRC in response to enquiries into R&D Tax claims.
• Working collaboratively with other members of the IR team across the country.
• Communicating confidently and knowledgably with Directors and Partners within the firm.
• Ensuring tax quality at all times by adhering to the firm’s quality standards. 
• Perceiving the needs and concerns of clients and adapting approaches to meet these needs, whilst maintaining effective and professional working relationships with key client personnel. 
• Maintaining an awareness of the firm’s specialist services and publications, ensuring added value to clients and identify opportunities for other services lines. 

Minimum Qualifications

About the ideal candidate

• The ideal candidate will have an in-depth knowledge of Research and Development tax credits, and preferably experience in broader corporate tax.  
•  Proven experience in a Manager, Senior Manager or Associate Director role in an R&D capacity.
• Relevant professional qualification, for example CA, ACA and/or CTA.
• High level of tax technical knowledge of the UK’s R&D tax incentives.  
• Experience in preparing and submitting R&D tax relief claims in all sectors (experience of making patent box claims would be desirable but not essential).
• Knowledge of different claim methodologies, especially any industry specific challenges, over a broad range of industries. 
• Ability to make claims within SME and RDEC regimes, and capability to assess group size.
• Knowledgeable as to the tax effect of making a claim within a corporation tax return.
• Proven experience in client handling and managing a busy portfolio. 
• Perceives the need and concerns of clients and adapts approach to meet these needs.
• Excellent communication skills in a range of situations both written and oral. 
• Demonstrates an understanding of wider business and economic issues.

Flexible Working

At RSM we work hard to create an environment where our people can make a difference - to themselves, their career, their teams, and to the success of our firm and clients. We support all our people to work flexibly, to manage their family and other responsibilities alongside their work commitments; we believe this is key to achieving an inspiring and fulfilling working environment.

Diversity and Inclusion at RSM

At RSM, inclusion and diversity are central to our values. We have an authentic focus on intentional inclusion, enabling our people to feel they can bring their whole self to work and ensuring everyone feels supported, respected and confident to make a valuable contribution.

For further information, and to apply, please visit our website via the “Apply” button below.