Qualified Tax Professional? Considering a move in 2011? Read This Before You Do

The first quarter of this year saw further growth in the overall tax recruitment market. The corporate tax (UK and international) market continued to improve with Big 6 firms targeting newly qualified and assistant managers. There has also been greater appetite in the mid tier firms for senior business winners in corporate tax across the UK. I have spoken to a number of heads of tax who have expressed a desire to bring on corporate tax managers in the 2^nd and 3^rd quarters of this year. The indirect tax market stayed healthy and the number of positions registered in practice, FS and the in-house market saw an overall increase in numbers. The demand looks to stay steady for all levels for the foreseeable future. We have also seen a greater demand in private client teams for tax staff at senior to director level, although the more traditional personal tax market remained sluggish. I predict a continued demand for good private client tax specialists from niche firms and the Top 6 practices. Expatriate tax professionals stayed in demand with a particular need for dual handlers. I see no reason why this should change over the next few quarters. The tax investigations market has also made a comeback with a number of heads of investigations; I have spoken to predicting potential hires over the coming months.

Overall 

The following is what I wrote at the beginning of the year.

‘We remain optimistic about the future and feel a greater sense of positive sentiment from the majority of our clients. There are of course dangers that remain within the global economy and no guarantee that the first quarter figures will be matched by the increasing levels of confidence we are sensing. However, providing we continue our way towards positive growth (which most analysts seem as likely), the tax recruitment market will continue to release more tax vacancies.’

The first quarter of this year exceeded my expectations and despite recent global events in the last few months, I still remain bullish about the market ahead.

What should you do if you are thinking of making a move this year?