• SKILL LEVEL:
  • Expert

Tax advisory


What is a tax advisor and what do they do?

Tax advisors use their knowledge of tax legislation to provide advisory and consultancy services to clients, ensuring that they pay their taxes in the most efficient way and benefit from any tax advantages and exemptions. Broadly, their role is to ensure compliance while using their expertise to find the appropriate ways to reduce tax liabilities.

Tax advisors can work in industry (within a business) or in practice for an accounting firm (where they will typically have a portfolio of clients). In both cases, the role requires the practitioner to have a strong knowledge of the tax environment in which they operate. Professionals in this field add value by studying and interpreting tax law, and being aware of relevant changes to legislation or recent tax case studies that can be leveraged to the benefit of their client. 

There are two main areas of tax advice:
 

  • corporate/business – working for companies and other businesses to make sure they aren't paying any more tax than is necessary
  • personal – providing advice to individual clients, some of whom may be high net worth individuals.

Capabilities

While the accountancy profession offers diverse career options and paths, the core capabilities required to perform at the highest standards remain the same - irrespective of skill level or job role.

Collaboration Digital Drive Ethics Expertise Insight Sustainability
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Continuing professional development at ACCA

A commitment to life-long learning is a vital part of your ACCA membership; it unlocks the full potential of your career choices - and drives forward the profession.

We deliver a wide range of CPD resources tailored to different areas of expertise - and an ever-changing profession. Our, and your, commitment to quality CPD ensures you will have the most up-to-date skills to perform at the highest standard. 

So, get started (or restarted) and take a look at our curated list of the most relevant CPD resources to secure and succeed in this role.

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Online course

Tax pick 'n' mix bundle

Stay up to date with these top tips for accountants from tax experts. Work your way through the scenarios deciding what best to do and find out what the experts would do, too.

The courses within this bundle are specific to the UK only.

Create your pick 'n' mix bundle from a range of bestselling tax courses (specific to the UK only):
 

  • 2023-24 update: UK tax
  • 2022-23 update: finance act 2022
  • corporation tax: refresher and update (UK only)
  • current pensions and finance issues
  • employment and payroll taxes
  • expenses and benefits
  • making tax digital
  • national insurance contributions
  • property taxes
  • self-assessment for individuals.
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Further qualification

ADIT (Advanced Diploma in International Taxation)

This is a fantastic opportunity for ACCA members to prove their expertise in international tax and gain a specialist qualification from the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT), one of the world's most respected professional bodies. The ADIT is particularly relevant to qualified accountants with a tax background who are looking to specialise further in international tax.
 

  • globally recognised – valued by firms and organisations in industries and sectors around the world, ADIT is acknowledged globally as the leading qualification of its type
  • challenging and rigorous – ADIT is an indicator of your quality and status, enabling you to differentiate yourself from your peers by demonstrating your commitment, expertise and employability
  • enhanced employability – ADIT is a unique differentiator on your CV, marking you out as an international tax expert and enabling you to join the CIOT as an international tax affiliate for further career benefits.
Find more CPD resources on ACCA Learning

How does the ACCA qualification prepare you for this job role?

From a combination of exams, ethics and experience, the ACCA Qualification will boost your employability and performance at every stage of your career journey.

Here we have listed some elements of the ACCA Qualification that will help you perform at the highest standard in this job role.