Tax Adviser

To become a tax advisor, you don’t typically need specific GCSE subjects, but a strong academic foundation and certain skills can be advantageous for your future studies and career in tax advisory. Tax advisors help individuals and organisations navigate the complex world of taxation, so a background in business and finance-related subjects can be beneficial. Here are some GCSE subjects and skills that can be advantageous:

1. Mathematics: A solid understanding of mathematics is crucial for tax advisors, as tax calculations, financial analysis, and data interpretation are essential aspects of the job. Consider taking GCSE Mathematics.
2. Business Studies: This subject can provide you with a foundational understanding of business operations, accounting principles, and economic concepts, which are relevant to tax advisory.
3. Economics: GCSE Economics can give you insights into economic principles, taxation, and fiscal policy, all of which are relevant to tax advising.
4. Accounting: While not typically offered at the GCSE level, if your school offers GCSE Accounting, it can be highly relevant to a career in tax advising. It provides insights into financial record-keeping and analysis.
5. English: Strong communication skills are essential for tax advisors, as they need to convey complex tax information to clients in a clear and understandable manner. GCSE English can help you develop these skills.

Post School

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly
• specialist courses run by professional bodies

University
You could take a degree and then further professional training through a graduate scheme, to qualify.

Most graduate employers will be looking for a minimum of an upper second class degree.

Your degree can be in any subject. Though not essential, the following subjects can be useful:

• accountancy
• accounting and finance
• business and management
• law
• maths

During your studies look out for:

• insight days
• vacation schemes
• internships
• year placement opportunities

Your university careers service can help you to find work experience opportunities with business and finance companies, which will give you an advantage when you apply to graduate schemes.

Apprenticeship
The following higher apprenticeships are relevant to this role:

• professional accountancy or taxation technician
• accountancy or taxation professional

Work
You could start as an assistant in an accounting department and apply for a position as a trainee adviser with a company.

Some professional services firms recruit school and college leavers into trainee tax adviser roles. You would receive full training from your employer, including support to gain professional qualifications.

Direct Application
You can apply directly to employers if you’ve got some of the relevant skills and knowledge needed for this job. For example, you could transfer from another profession like accountancy or law.