At Simmons Gainsford, we are a dynamic and forward-thinking accountancy firm, renowned for delivering high-quality tax and consulting services in addition to audits to privately owned companies.
We partner with a diverse range of clients, helping them navigate complex financial management and compliance challenges. With a client-centric approach, we provide tailored solutions to meet their unique needs, building long-term relationships based on trust and expertise.
We are looking for a Tax Investigations Assistant to join our Tax Investigations and Dispute Resolution team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a strong interest in tax disputes to gain hands-on experience in a niche and fast-paced area of accountancy.
Our team handles a wide range of HMRC investigations, voluntary disclosures, and disputes under all heads of tax. Your role will involve supporting senior members of the team, assisting in the preparation of correspondence, preparing spreadsheets and tax calculations, and taking responsibility for tracking the status and progressing open investigations/disclosures.
You will also attend meetings with clients and HMRC, both to observe/learn/take notes initially, and actively contributing over time.
The salary for this position is up to £45,000 depending on qualifications and experience.
-
Provide administrative and technical support to the Tax Investigations team.
- Assist in managing and progressing HMRC enquiries and investigations from start to finish.
- Draft letters and documentation for HMRC and clients under supervision.
- Gather, review and analyse client records and information to support investigation cases.
- Support the preparation of voluntary disclosures and settlement calculations.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date case files and internal systems.
- Liaise with clients, HMRC and internal teams in a professional and timely manner.
- Conduct research on tax legislation and HMRC guidance as required.
- Support the wider Tax team with ad-hoc queries and project work.
-
Experience working in tax across at least two full tax cycles (corporate, personal, or mixed tax).
- Previous experience in a tax investigations, compliance, or dispute resolution role
- A keen interest in tax and investigations work.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong attention to detail and analytical thinking.
- The ability to use your initiative
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
Our size and ethos means that we have a natural empathy with entrepreneurs, start-ups and growing businesses. Our client base is diverse and includes media, entertainment, retail, property, hospitality, manufacturing, recruitment, lawyers and charities. Our remit is to solve problems and create solutions so the compliance work – such as audits and tax returns – is complemented by creative business and strategic planning.
We have grown steadily over the years but not to an extent that we don’t know one another. We’re fortunate in that we have the following teams: Audit & Accounts, Corporate, Personal and Indirect Tax, Bookkeeping, Payroll, IT, HR and Internal Accounts so we can all work together to help businesses as we offer a wide range of advice and solutions.
We enjoy what we do, we love being challenged and we are always striving to improve. We’re not going to deny that it can be a demanding environment at times – but that’s a great one in which to learn and grow stronger in our knowledge – and we don’t have a late hours’ culture.
Our Partners and Managers are approachable, incredibly supportive and dedicated to providing an individual career and personal development path for all our staff. Many of them began as trainees themselves so they understand the journey ahead for our new trainees as they mentor them.
We offer CPD training throughout the year as it’s important that our clients receive the most up to date and relevant advice, and our staff are continuously learning so they are empowered by their knowledge. There is always the opportunity for individuals to suggest any ad hoc courses.
We are a sociable bunch too! As well as our annual firm-wide seasonal events, we have a social club who think of even more innovative ways to have fun throughout the year.
We also like to keep everyone updated – and share ideas – by having regular team briefings, employee focus groups and staff meetings.
