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Skill level

Proficient

You're looking for entry to mid-level job roles.

Expert

You're looking for management or highly specialised job roles.

Leader

You're looking for senior leadership or entrepreneurial job roles.
Proficient Expert Leader

Proficient

You're looking for entry to mid-level job roles.

Specialisms

Advisory and consultancy

Audit and assurance

Digital

Financial and business reporting

Financial management

Performance management

Risk management

Sustainability

Taxation
Explore all specialisms at Proficient level

Capabilities

Collaboration

Digital

Drive

Ethics

Expertise

Insight

Sustainability
Explore all capabilitiesat Proficient level

Expert

You're looking for management or highly specialised job roles.

Specialisms

Advisory and consultancy

Audit and assurance

Digital

Financial and business reporting

Financial management

Performance management

Risk management

Sustainability

Taxation
Explore all specialisms at Expert level

Capabilities

Collaboration

Digital

Drive

Ethics

Expertise

Insight

Sustainability
Explore all capabilitiesat Expert level

Leader

You're looking for senior leadership or entrepreneurial job roles.

Specialisms

Advisory and consultancy

Audit and assurance

Digital

Financial and business reporting

Financial management

Performance management

Risk management

Sustainability

Taxation
Explore all specialisms at Leader level

Capabilities

Collaboration

Digital

Drive

Ethics

Expertise

Insight

Sustainability
Explore all capabilitiesat Leader level
Explore

SKILL LEVEL

Select the skill level and find appropriate capabilities to suit the stage of your career.

Proficient

ACCA members with a minimum of 3 years’ experience gained during the journey to qualification. At this career level you are usually expected to have some post qualification experience where you build further on the Insight, Drive and Collaboration skills needed to succeed.

Expert

ACCA members/fellows with considerable post qualification experience with a breadth and depth of exposure to a variety of scenarios. At this career level, you are likely to be managing a team or function, or progressing strongly in a specialist area of expertise.

Leader

ACCA fellows with vastly significant post qualification experience. At this level, you are likely to be a senior leader perhaps in a C-suite or entrepreneurial role.

Complies with tax regulation and systems, communicates with relevant stakeholders to establish and ethically manage tax liabilities for individuals and companies, using appropriate tax computation and planning techniques.

I set the tax strategies, standards, policies and guidelines for use in my organisation and have overall responsibility for the publication of that strategy. 

I maximise opportunities and suggest incentives that positively influence the organisation's after tax position.

I deal with highly complex and important non routine tax matters.

I advise ethically on strategic tax plans for individuals, entities or groups of entities where these are highly complex.

I advise on the International aspects/dimensions of tax for complex scenarios transactions and liabilities.

I apply my specialist knowledge of tax to provide insights for, and to meet the complex demands and needs of, stakeholders.

I review, interpret and evaluate new tax legislation and communicate this to internal and external stakeholders.

I take overall responsibility for the management of underlying tax risks within my organisation. 

I recommend and negotiate tax settlements with the authorities.

I am ultimately responsible for decisions around tax disclosure policies within the organisation. 

I am responsible for managing the conflicting demands of reputational risk and tax minimisation strategy within the organisation. 

I am responsible for communicating the impact of tax on the business and its key stakeholders, and its economic contribution to the communities in which the organisation operates.

I am responsible for the incorporation of tax within the published corporate social responsibility agenda of my organisation.

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 in your chosen specialism.

So, get started (or restarted) and take a look at our curated list of the most relevant CPD resources to help you develop your career in this specialism. 

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 (advanced diploma in international taxation) is particularly relevant to qualified accountants with a tax background who are looking to specialise further in international tax.

By achieving ADIT you will demonstrate:

  • knowledge of the key concepts of international tax, achieved by completing the mandatory principles of international Taxation exam
  • in-depth knowledge of international tax issues for two jurisdictions or areas of international tax, achieved by completing any two from a range of optional module exams.
Learn more
units 21

Online course

Accelerated accountant's update programme 2023 (UK practice)

In these uncertain and challenging times, your clients will be feeling the pinch. More than ever, they need the professional and assured advice of their accountant. By understanding the business challenges they face, and staying up to date and confident about regulatory changes, you can ensure you retain your status as your clients’ trusted advisor.

The accelerated accountant's update programme 2023 will help you stay on the front foot with the latest developments in UK tax, financial reporting and regulation, as well as recent thinking in practice excellence, practice compliance and becoming a trusted advisor.

Book now
(Member discount)
units 21

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.
Book now
(Member discount)
Find more CPD resources on ACCA Learning

How does the ACCA Qualification develop the skills required to succeed in this specialism?

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 develop the skills and knowledge required to perform at the highest standard in this specialism.

Leader career options within this area of expertise