The Chartered Institute of Taxation is the foremost professional and educational body in the UK dealing solely with taxation as a career. The Institute’s primary purpose is to promote education in, and the study of, taxation. It sets examinations, organises educational and technical conferences and maintains standards of professional practice.

Challenge

Working in taxation guarantees a challenging and demanding career full of variety, intellectual stimulation and early responsibility along with excellent rewards.  It is a career for those who enjoy working with people and helping them to solve their problems since there is a high degree of client contact.

Opportunities

A tax adviser works with companies and individuals, trying to create the best tax strategies for them. Tax advisers work in accountants’ and solicitors’ practices, tax consultancy firms, clearing banks and in-house tax departments in industry and commerce. The complex and diverse nature of taxation means that tax advisers rapidly develop areas of specialist knowledge. The main specialisms include corporate, personal, international, and inheritance tax, VAT, National Insurance, and trusts and estates.

Skills required

You will need to be numerate, write well, think laterally and creatively and be willing to tackle problems as they arise.  The ability to construct logical and persuasive arguments and to interpret complex legislation is essential.

How to qualify

Graduates in any discipline can qualify as a tax adviser by taking the examinations of The Association of Taxation Technicians followed by those of the Institute. The Association’s ATT qualification and the Institute’s Chartered Tax Adviser qualifications are held in the highest regard; those successful in the exams can use the designatory letters CTA, the practising title of Chartered Tax Adviser and expect a salary increase that reflects this.

Training

Neither the Institute nor the Association employs tax trainees themselves. Numerous companies take on tax trainees, the Big Four being Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

Fast facts

Number of members
14,500.

Qualifications available
ATT and CTA. Exams for both are held each year in May and November.

Typical salaries for tax specialists in London
Graduate trainee (0–2 yrs) £19,000–£28,000.
Newly qualified ATT (1–3 yrs) £26,000–£32,000.
Newly qualified CTA (2–4 yrs) £29,000–£46,000.
Supervisor (4–6 yrs) £36,000–£51,000.
Manager (6–8 yrs) £47,000–£62,000.
Senior manager (8–10 yrs) £62,000–£87,000.
Principal/director (10 yrs plus) £87,000–£112,000.

Application procedure
Phone on 020 7235 9381 or visit our website at www.tax.org.uk for a registration form to become a student and sit the exams.

Apply now
The Chartered Institute of Taxation
12 Upper Belgrave Street
London SW1X 8BB
T 020 7235 9381
F 020 7235 2562
E careersinfo@ciot.org.uk
W www.tax.org.uk