In a nutshell
The Senior Tax Manager specialising in HMRC Investigations is a pivotal role within our Tax team. This position demands a high degree of technical tax expertise, strategic thinking, and excellent interpersonal skills. The role’s primary focus is to manage, advise on, and resolve complex tax investigations initiated by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), ensuring our clients remain compliant while achieving the best possible outcomes.
What you'll be doing day to day
Managing HMRC Enquiries: Take ownership of all stages of HMRC investigations, including Code of Practice 8 and 9 (COP8/COP9) cases, voluntary disclosures, and full or aspect enquiries. Oversee the preparation of robust responses to HMRC queries and ensure all deadlines are met
Client Advisory: Advise clients or internal stakeholders on the management and implications of ongoing and potential HMRC investigations. Provide strategic guidance to minimise exposure and risk, and recommend the most effective approach to resolution
Technical Analysis: Carry out in-depth technical analysis of tax matters under investigation, identifying strengths and weaknesses in clients’ positions, and developing solutions that comply with UK tax law and HMRC guidelines
Negotiation and Representation: Act as the main point of contact with HMRC, representing clients in meetings, correspondence, and negotiations. Strive to secure fair outcomes, leveraging technical and commercial arguments whilst maintaining positive relationships with HMRC officers
Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Proactively identify risk areas within clients’ tax affairs. Develop and implement strategies to mitigate risks and prepare for potential HMRC scrutiny
Voluntary Disclosures: Lead the preparation and submission of voluntary disclosures to HMRC, ensuring full and accurate reporting and effective management of any resulting investigation
Internal Training and Knowledge Sharing: Mentor junior team members, deliver internal training, and disseminate up-to-date knowledge on HMRC investigative processes, changes in tax legislation, and best practices in managing disputes.
Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong professional relationships with clients, colleagues, legal advisors, and HMRC personnel
Reporting and Documentation: Oversee the preparation of clear, concise, and comprehensive reports and documentation to support investigation cases, both for HMRC and clients or colleagues
Continuous Professional Development: Stay abreast of developments in UK tax law, HMRC operational practices, and trends in tax dispute resolution
About you
CTA qualified (ACA, CA or ACCA an advantage) or equivalent with significant post-qualification experience
Experience of providing the advice in respect of tax investigations detailed above
In depth tax technical knowledge of UK tax legislation and HMRC practices
Adept at interpreting tax legislation and communicating complex advice in plain English
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
Strong research, analytical and problem solving skills
Strong interest in business development activities and opportunities for growth, through networking and building lasting client relationships
Experienced in and passionate about coaching and developing others, including and fostering an inclusive team and learning environment
Proficient in use of Microsoft Office applications
Why work at PKF Francis Clark
As the largest firm of independent chartered accountants and business advisers in South West England, PKF Francis Clark offers a breadth of opportunities to develop your career in the way that’s right for you.
Established in 1919, we’ve grown to a team of nearly 1,000 people, based across our offices in Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, Poole, Salisbury, Southampton, Taunton, Torquay and Truro. This means we’re big enough to do challenging work for exciting clients, but small enough to maintain our friendly and supportive culture.
We work hard to ensure you can belong, be yourself and be brilliant as part of a forward-thinking team. This includes a flexible approach to hybrid working. And our focus on wellbeing and learning and development has been recognised nationally.
For the past three years, PKF Francis Clark has been certified as a Great Place to Work and ranked among the UK’s Best Workplaces. In 2025, we climbed four places to 20 out of 100 large organisations on this prestigious list.
We’re also in the UK’s top 10 Best Workplaces for Women (6 out of 100 large organisations), as well as being ranked among the Best Workplaces for Wellbeing (35 out of 100), Best Workplaces for Development (24 out of 100) and Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services.
All these lists are compiled by workplace culture experts Great Place to Work. Our rankings are a direct result of feedback from our people in a confidential, independent annual survey.
The success rates of our trainees mean we’re also ranked 33rd in The Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2025.
While we’re proudly independent, we collaborate with colleagues around the world to enable our clients to succeed. PKF Francis Clark is a member of the PKF Global family of firms – together we’re the 12th largest provider of accountancy services in the UK. Being part of this international network provides opportunities to connect with like-minded accountants and business advisers in 150 countries.
Your core benefits
Financial benefits:
- ; Pension
- ; Group life assurance - up to four times your core salary
- ; Group income protection
- ; Health cash plan to help cover the costs of everyday healthcare
Health & Wellbeing benefits:
- ; Private medical insurance
- ; Option to buy 5 extra days holiday*
- ; Counselling and support for you and your immediate family
- ; Virtual GP for you and your immediate family
- ; Cycle to work*
Other benefits:
- ; Medicash Extras providing you with shopping and gym discounts
- ; Gifts for career and family milestones
- ; One volunteering day per year to support local organisations
- ; Emergency funding from the Francis Clark Charitable Foundation
- ; Electric vehicle lease scheme*
Please note
- These benefits are provided via a salary exchange and are subject to employee’s post exchange hourly rate remaining above the national minimum wage.
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