Tax scandals 'not bad for accountants'
However, experts have told London Loves Business that this is not actually bad news for many people who work in financial services, including accountants.
Greater awareness of the issues around tax and financial reporting are a Damascene sword, in the sense that while they may make the industry appear less attractive from the outside, they ensure accountants are kept busy by companies newly-aware of the need to follow strict regulations.
While the famous names that have hit the headlines will no doubt be regretting the attention, for people with financial compliance skills and a good reputation in the industry the increased focus could result in more work.
Mike Kerridge, a tax expert of Charter Financial, told the news provider that he has seen levels of enquiry grow because of the regulatory changes and glaring headlines.
"The industry is certainly buoyant as the legislation is becoming even more complex and requires more people to have an understanding of it; take for example the proposed new law regarding anti avoidance, GAAR," he explained.
Although the scrutiny the tax industry has been placed under - not to mention the criticism it has received, some of it unwarranted - may be draining for practitioners, the reforms being made are likely to keep them busy.
Chas Roy-Chowdhury, head of taxation at the Association of Chartered Accountants, added that the industry as a whole has not came out of the recent controversies too badly.
"Most accountancy firms recruit on an annual basis and intake remains as buoyant as ever. We expect to see similar levels of new recruits as in the previous year," he argued.
Signup to receive the latest discipline specific articles
Related articles

** DEFAULT postresults.teaserlabel - en-GB **
Professional Services** DEFAULT postresults.contenttypelabel - en-GB **
General
06/10/20
** DEFAULT postresults.summarylabel - en-GB **
2020 has been an unexpected year across the world, and it has been crucial to monitor and deal with all the effects of the Covid pandemic in business and in our personal lives. Amidst this crisis we have also had the uncertainty surrounding Brexit looming over us, which has left many businesses trying to deal with the immediate challenges to society and the economy at large. The effects of both have been felt, and we can see this within the jobs market. As experts within specialist markets we have been privy to fluctuations within specific industries. Below are some of our observations across the market.Custom and duties tax specialists We have seen an increase in activity and growth across custom and duties tax specialists for large import/export FTSE businesses. Particularly businesses are looking for candidates on an interim basis to make sure effective processes and controls are implemented. This is an evolving space and once we have further clarity we expect demand to increase. In the last 6 months, we’ve seen an increase in recruitment activity from businesses in industries such as food manufacturing and FMCG that have had an increased demand for their products on the back of lockdown. In addition to this, businesses that do a significant amount of importing and exporting see customs and duty as a key area of focus with Brexit looming, and we have advised and recruited for several clients who have required specialist knowledge. This is a niche skill set that can be provided at premium rates by consultancy firms, but there is a recent trend to bring this expertise in house. The cost of doing this would be in the region of £40-50k for a perm hire and c£250 per day for a temp hire - watch this space if you're a candidate within this market. Audit and riskAudit and risk have also experienced an increase in resource on both the temporary and permanent markets. As organisations seek to learn effectiveness lessons from the crisis they require resource to conduct and undertake Covid specific reviews. In addition, the offering of flexible working arrangements also provides a great opportunity to test network capabilities as well as controls across user access, disaster recovery, business continuity, as well as high level IT controls testing to ensure remote working does not compromise the risk appetite of the business. Start ups Over the past 6-12 months we have also undertaken a number of start up engagements, helping businesses recruit permanent heads of department to develop strategy internally. This is a trend we expect to continue as businesses look to cut spend on consultancy fees and take ownership of these disciplines, ensuring a consistent level of quality and cost efficiency. To view more of our live roles, visit our job search page.
by
David Clamp

** DEFAULT postresults.teaserlabel - en-GB **
Professional Services** DEFAULT postresults.contenttypelabel - en-GB **
Market Insight Reports
21/08/18
** DEFAULT postresults.summarylabel - en-GB **
View taxation salaries within specialist markets. Download the full London Specialist Markets 2018 Market Insight Report here » TAXATION Job title Salary range Tax Senior/Assistant £35,000 - £45,000 Tax Assistant Manager £45,000 - £60,000 Tax Manager £60,000 - £80,000 Tax Senior Manager £80,000 - £115,000 Tax Director £120,000 - £200,000 Tax Partner £220,000+ View London salaries in other sectors within specialist markets »
by
Josh Rufus

** DEFAULT postresults.teaserlabel - en-GB **
Finance & Accounting** DEFAULT postresults.contenttypelabel - en-GB **
General
21/08/18
** DEFAULT postresults.summarylabel - en-GB **
View public practice & taxation salaries in Ireland. Download the full Ireland 2018 Market Insight Report here » PUBLIC PRACTICE & TAXATION Job title Salary range Trainee Accountant €18,000 - €25,000 Part Qualified Accountant €25,000 - €40,000 Audit Senior €40,000 - €50,000 Tax Senior €40,000 - €50,000 Assistant Manager €45,000 - €55,000 Manager €55,000 - €60,000 Senior Manager €70,000 - €90,000 Director €90,000 - €120,000 View salaries in other sectors within Ireland »
by
Matthew Fitzpatrick
Related jobs
Salary:
benefits
Location:
Leeds, West Yorkshire
Market
Professional Services
Job Discipline
Tax
Industry
Professional Services
Salary
£50,000 - £60,000
Qualification
None specified
Contract Type:
Permanent
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.description - en-GB **
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.reference - en-GB **
BBBH162609
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.expirydate - en-GB **
02/02/21
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.author - en-GB **
Andy Craven** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.author - en-GB **
Andy CravenSalary:
£35,000 - £50,000 per annum
Location:
Leeds, West Yorkshire
Market
Professional Services
Job Discipline
Tax
Industry
Professional Services
Salary
£50,000 - £60,000
Qualification
None specified
Contract Type:
Permanent
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.description - en-GB **
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.reference - en-GB **
BBBH162871
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.expirydate - en-GB **
11/02/21
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.author - en-GB **
Andy Craven** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.author - en-GB **
Andy CravenSalary:
Negotiable
Location:
Leeds, West Yorkshire
Market
Professional Services
Job Discipline
Tax
Industry
Professional Services
Salary
£60,000 - £70,000
Qualification
None specified
Contract Type:
Permanent
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.description - en-GB **
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.reference - en-GB **
BBBH162919
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.expirydate - en-GB **
11/02/21
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.author - en-GB **
Andy Craven** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.author - en-GB **
Andy CravenSalary:
£40,000 - £50,000 per annum
Location:
Leeds, West Yorkshire
Market
Professional Services
Job Discipline
Tax
Industry
Professional Services
Salary
£50,000 - £60,000
Qualification
None specified
Contract Type:
Permanent
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.description - en-GB **
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.reference - en-GB **
BBBH162870
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.expirydate - en-GB **
11/02/21
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.author - en-GB **
Andy Craven** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.author - en-GB **
Andy CravenSalary:
£35,000 - £40,000 per annum + benefits
Location:
Leeds, West Yorkshire
Market
Professional Services
Job Discipline
Tax
Industry
Professional Services
Salary
£40,000 - £50,000
Qualification
None specified
Contract Type:
Permanent
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.description - en-GB **
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.reference - en-GB **
BBBH162610
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.expirydate - en-GB **
02/02/21
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.author - en-GB **
Andy Craven** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.author - en-GB **
Andy CravenSalary:
£36,000 - £42,000 per annum
Location:
Leeds, West Yorkshire
Market
Professional Services
Job Discipline
Tax
Industry
Professional Services
Salary
£40,000 - £50,000
Qualification
None specified
Contract Type:
Permanent
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.description - en-GB **
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.reference - en-GB **
BBBH162388
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.expirydate - en-GB **
04/02/21
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.author - en-GB **
Andy Craven** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.author - en-GB **
Andy CravenSalary:
Negotiable
Location:
Liverpool, Merseyside
Market
Professional Services
Job Discipline
Tax
Industry
Professional Services
Salary
£30,000 - £35,000
Qualification
Fully qualified
Contract Type:
Permanent
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.description - en-GB **
Tax Senior - salary upto £33,500
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.reference - en-GB **
BBBH162992
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.expirydate - en-GB **
15/02/21
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.author - en-GB **
Michael Smart** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.author - en-GB **
Michael SmartSalary:
£35,000 - £40,000 per annum + benefits
Location:
Leeds, West Yorkshire
Market
Professional Services
Job Discipline
Tax
Industry
Professional Services
Salary
£40,000 - £50,000
Qualification
None specified
Contract Type:
Permanent
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.description - en-GB **
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.reference - en-GB **
BBBH162608
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.expirydate - en-GB **
02/02/21
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.author - en-GB **
Andy Craven** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.author - en-GB **
Andy CravenSalary:
£50,000 - £80,000 per annum
Location:
Leeds, West Yorkshire
Market
Professional Services
Job Discipline
Tax
Industry
Professional Services
Salary
£80,000 - £100,000
Qualification
None specified
Contract Type:
Permanent
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.description - en-GB **
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.reference - en-GB **
BBBH162869
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.expirydate - en-GB **
09/02/21
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.author - en-GB **
Andy Craven** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.author - en-GB **
Andy CravenSalary:
£40,000 - £45,000 per annum
Location:
South Yorkshire
Market
Commerce & Industry
Job Discipline
Tax
Industry
Consumer & Retail
Salary
£40,000 - £50,000
Qualification
None specified
Contract Type:
Permanent
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.description - en-GB **
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.reference - en-GB **
BBBH162978
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.expirydate - en-GB **
14/02/21
** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.author - en-GB **
Andy Craven** DEFAULT listwidget.vacancypartial.author - en-GB **
Andy Craven