Senior tax professional/tax inspector

Senior tax professionals play a key role in ensuring the UK tax system works fairly so that public services can be properly funded

Tax professionals/inspectors work for HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), making sure that organisations and individuals pay the correct amount of tax at the right time.

They investigate the accuracy of tax returns and accounts submitted to HMRC and have responsibility for investigating tax evasion and tax avoidance. In disputed cases, they represent HMRC at independent appeal tribunals.

As a senior tax professional, you'll handle complex tax issues and cases requiring specialist knowledge. You'll be in a leadership role with the opportunity to influence decision-making.

HMRC tax professionals work with a wide range of businesses, from sole traders to multinational companies.

Responsibilities

As a senior tax professional/tax inspector, you'll need to:

• apply tax legislation to companies, partnerships, organisations and individuals
• examine accounts and research background material
• investigate complex tax issues such as fraud and offshore evasion
• give expert advice on taxation matters
• negotiate tax settlements with taxpayers and their accountants or solicitors
• represent HMRC at independent appeal tribunals in disputed cases.

In cases that result in a full enquiry, you'll also need to:

• inspect the finances of a business to find out exactly how it operates
• review business accounts in detail to ensure that tax law has been applied correctly
• examine records and consider factors such as the lifestyle of the proprietors or board directors
• visit business premises and meet people face-to-face during investigations
• present cases in writing and in person to taxpayers or their professional advisers.

Salary

• Salaries for recruits joining the HMRC Tax Specialist Programme (TSP) start on a minimum of £36,320 (£41,289 in London).
• Upon successful completion of the TSP, you're guaranteed a minimum starting salary of £56,344 (£63,397 in London).

Income figures from the HMRC Tax Specialist Programme (TSP). Figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

You'll typically work a standard 37-hour week, Monday to Friday, although longer hours may occasionally be required.

Flexible working is widely available, with options for part-time work, hybrid working, job share and term-time only roles.

Graduates on the TSP will work a hybrid working week, with at least 60% of their time in the office.

What to expect

• Work is usually office based, although some roles involve visits to business premises.
• HMRC has 14 regional centres across the UK in cities such as Cardiff, Belfast, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester. There are also six specialist sites at Dover, Gartcosh, Ipswich, Swansea, Telford and Worthing. HMRC headquarters are based in London. See the list of regional centres.
• The training programme is intensive, and the work can be challenging as you'll have some difficult conversations with customers regarding their tax liability.
• There's no formal dress code, though smart casual is the norm. Bear in mind that, when meeting the public, you're representing a government department.
• You may be away from home overnight occasionally when visiting businesses or attending meetings, for example, but overseas work or travel is uncommon.

Qualifications

The HMRC Tax Specialist Programme (TSP) provides the foundation for a career as a senior tax professional. It's designed to develop your skills so that you become a tax expert, handling complex tax issues and influencing UK-wide financial decisions.

The minimum academic qualification is a 2:2 honours degree in any subject (or equivalent). If you're already a civil servant, you don't need a degree.

Applications usually open in the autumn. The application process includes:

• an application form
• three online tests - verbal, numerical and skills - to assess your strengths and capability
• a recorded video interview with strength-based questions that will explore your motivations
• a half-day virtual assessment centre.

Successful applicants will be placed on a 'merit list' and will be offered a position and preferred location in order of merit.

If you're unsuccessful at any stage, you can't reapply in the same year's intake but can apply the following year.

To be eligible to apply for the TSP, you must have the right to work in the UK. Find out more about Civil Service nationality rules.

You must also undertake a criminal records check.

Full details on how to apply and deadline dates are available on the HMRC website.

Graduates and non-graduates can also apply directly for other HMRC jobs and work their way up to senior tax professional roles. See the list of Civil Service grades and associated responsibilities.

Skills

You'll need to have:

• excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• independent thinking and the ability to use your initiative
• strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• strong decision-making skills and the ability to articulate and express views confidently and democratically
• teamworking skills and the ability to contribute positively to a team dynamic
• planning and organising skills
• openness to change, with the ability to adapt and respond positively to shifts in business focus and customer needs
• integrity and professionalism
• a customer-focused approach to work.

Work experience

You don't need any prior knowledge or experience of tax, as HMRC are more interested in your skills, capabilities and potential. Recruitment is based on the Civil Service Success Profiles, which assess five elements:

• behaviours
• strengths
• ability (aptitude and potential)
• experience
• technical.

Throughout the process, HMRC will look for clear examples of how you've demonstrated these elements. These examples can come from any area of your life, not just previous work experience.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

HMRC is the UK's tax, payments and customs authority and is responsible for collecting billions of pounds in tax from UK businesses and individuals to pay for the UK's public services. It safeguards this money through tax compliance and enforcement activities, tackling tax evasion, avoidance and fraud.

HMRC is also responsible for areas such as:

• National Insurance
• administering Child Benefit
• enforcement of the National Minimum Wage
• recovery of Student Loan repayments.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Civil Service Job Search
• HMRC Tax Specialist Programme (TSP)

Professional development

The TSP lasts three to four years and prepares graduates to:

• deal with complex tax cases and disputes
• negotiate confidently with customers and their professional advisers
• interact with senior business figures
• lead and influence teams.

Training is intensive, with trainees taking on early responsibility and managing their own portfolio of casework. Throughout the training, however, you're supported by mentoring, advice and supervision.

Stage 1 of the TSP (the first 18 months) combines theory with practical hands-on case work, and you'll complete formal and work-based learning assessments during this time.

During Stage 2 of the programme, you'll be assigned to a specific business area and will gain expertise in a particular tax area (such as VAT or corporate tax). You'll continue to complete assessments during this time.

Tax legislation is complex, so you'll need to keep your knowledge and skills up to date throughout your career by undertaking continuing professional development (CPD).

Career prospects

On successful completion of the TSP, you'll be promoted to a Grade 7 tax specialist role and will be ready to take on a senior technical, investigative or customer relationship role.

This opens up opportunities for further advancement across HMRC in areas such as VAT or international taxes, compliance and fraud investigation, or the training and development of new recruits.

Other options include moving into policy advice, supporting government on tax changes, or into high-level management roles.

There are also opportunities to move into the private sector.