R&D Tax Manager/ Assistant Manager

Please note, this role can be based in either of our Manchester or Leeds offices.

We are seeking an experienced R&D Manager or Assistant Manager to join our in-house R&D tax team. Our firm serves a diverse client portfolio spanning various business sectors, offering opportunities to work on a wide range of R&D tax projects.

The role

As a member of our team, you will work with senior staff to lead the preparation of R&D claims, ensuring compliance with R&D tax legislation and providing valuable expertise to our clients.

The Team

Our R&D team is a national team based across different Saffery offices, with a dedicated group of Corporate Tax colleagues specialising in R&D tax. We're looking for someone to ideally join our Manchester or Leeds office.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate confidently and knowledgeably with senior colleagues within the R&D, corporate tax, audit, and accounts teams.
• Support client meetings, whilst explaining our services effectively.
• Manage and successfully deliver R&D tax projects, emphasizing technical excellence and practical, business-driven solutions.
• Prepare comprehensive documentation in line with UK BEIS guidelines and CIRD manual to support R&D claims while adhering to the firm's quality standards.
• Craft technical descriptions of client projects for inclusion in reports to be submitted to HMRC, and edit client-drafted descriptions for improvements.
• Coordinate and participate in interviews with clients' technical and finance teams, advising on R&D tax relief and qualifying R&D activities and expenditures.
• Contribute to claim methodology development and assist in the preparation of R&D tax relief claims for submission to HMRC.
• Support R&D engagements, including cost monitoring, billing, risk management, deliverables, and client relationships.
• Cultivate and maintain strong client relationships, delivering high levels of client service.
• Foster relationships within the firm and externally with clients and managing client expectations.
• Keep all relevant teams and Partners informed about project responsibilities and any issues that may impact client relationships.
• Collaborate with colleagues across different disciplines to build an internal network.

Qualifications and Skills

• Proactive, resilient, and driven with recent practical experience managing an R&D tax portfolio.
• Leadership: Strong managerial skills and up-to-date working knowledge of R&D tax issues.
• Background: Experience in organizing the delivery of R&D tax work, problem-solving, and taking initiative.
• Collegiality: Confidence and professionalism to establish credibility at all levels.
• Business Building: Commercial acumen and a clear understanding of client requirements.
• Qualifications: Preferably CTA/ ATT and/or ACA/ACCA/ qualified.

Benefits

• A 35 hour working week with a hybrid working policy with the flexibility to work from home for up to three days per week (our core hours are 10-4).
• Eligibility for the discretionary bonus scheme
• Excellent benefits including contributory pension scheme, 25 days annual leave, Life Assurance cover and great flexible benefits and family friendly policies
• Eligibility for the firm's Profit-Sharing Plan. Paid in December.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Equality, diversity and inclusion is a top priority for us. With our ED&I strategy, Everyone Belongs, we are building on our positive work culture and implementing initiatives to improve diversity and strengthen our equitable culture of inclusion, led from the top.