Job Description
R&D Tax Specialist
Location: West Yorkshire
Salary: £40,000 – £60,000 DOE
Are you an experienced R&D Tax Specialist with solid UK practice expertise, looking for an autonomous role where you can lead claim strategies, manage complex HMRC technical enquiries, and directly shape client innovation across Yorkshire? Our client is a long-established, highly respected accountancy practice based in West Yorkshire. Renowned for technical rigor and exceptionally high client retention, they are seeking an accomplished R&D Tax Specialist to take ownership of their busy R&D Tax department, providing crucial advisory services to an expanding portfolio of innovative regional businesses.
The Opportunity
In this specialised role, you will take lead operational responsibility for researching, preparing, and submitting complex R&D Tax Relief claims across a broad spectrum of industry sectors. Acting as the primary technical point of contact, you will conduct detailed client interviews, translate complex technical initiatives into robust HMRC narrative reports, and liaise directly with tax authorities throughout the claim lifecycle. Designed for a practice-experienced tax specialist who thrives on technical autonomy and direct client engagement, this position offers high visibility alongside firm partners, scope for up to 2 days hybrid working, and a supportive, collaborative office culture.
Key Responsibilities & Requirements
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Experience & Practice Background: Proven, multi-year track record within UK accountancy practice (essential) specialising in end-to-end Research & Development (R&D) tax claim preparation and submission.
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Technical Qualifications: CTA, ATT, ACA, ACCA, or relevant STEM/degree-level background with demonstrated mastery of HMRC R&D tax guidelines and legislation (merged scheme updates and intensive audit requirements).
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Technical Report Writing & Scoping: Skilled in interviewing business directors, identifying qualifying technological/scientific advances and uncertainties, and writing clear, robust technical narrative reports.
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HMRC Liaison & Enquiries: Deep expertise in managing HMRC correspondence, navigating claim enquiries, defending technical justifications, and handling appeal procedures where required.
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Financial Quantification: Proficient in capturing qualifying expenditure, calculating wage/subcontractor/software costs, and optimising tax relief or payable credits for clients.
Package & Working Structure
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Competitive Compensation: £40,000 – £60,000 base salary per annum (negotiable and aligned with practice depth, technical expertise, and qualifications).
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Working Schedule & Hybrid Model: Structured 35-hour week (Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm) with up to 2 days hybrid working per week (subject to agreement).
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Leave & Pension: 25 days annual leave plus statutory bank holidays and an auto-enrolment company pension scheme.
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Autonomy & Impact: Direct client-facing ownership of the R&D function, working closely with partners to drive new business opportunities and departmental growth.
How to Apply
To explore this opportunity in complete confidence or request a full position profile, please contact David Hawthorne-Finch directly:
Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions is acting as an employment agency for this vacancy. All applications and enquiries are treated with the strictest confidence, and candidate details are never shared without prior express consent.