Tax assistant job description

Tax assistant – job description 

A tax assistant is usually employed by freelance tax advisors or in consulting firms. Their role is to assist clients in tax matters and to clarify issues in tax law. They can be assigned different areas of responsibility. 

Here you can find out everything you need to know about this career path and get a precise job description of a tax assistant. 

What are the tasks of a tax assistant? 

What does a tax assistant do? If individual clients and companies have tax matters to deal with, they're represented by tax assistants. Tax assistants usually work in a freelance tax advisory company or consultancy firm. 

One of their tasks is to take care of the entire tax planning process. They also assist with improving and optimising individual corporate structures. For example, they might be required to plan and establish the correct group structure. 

Other important tax assistant tasks at a glance: 

• Audit reviews 
• Audit of annual and consolidated financial statements (in accordance IFRS and GAAP) 
• Preparation of annual financial statements 
• Preparation of tax returns 
• Recording structures within a company and, if applicable, restructuring and transformations 
• Involvement in large and complex advisory assignments and related matters 
• Tax planning 
• VAT consulting 

How do you become a tax assistant? 

Before finding a job as a freelance tax assistant, you need to fulfil certain requirements. Once you've made sure you tick the boxes, you'll have access to a variety of job opportunities across various specialisms and in different companies. Followed, of course, by a professional career path in the tax and finance sector. 

These requirements include: 

• First of all, you'll need to have completed vocational training as a tax specialist. 
• In addition, several years of professional experience are required in order to be adequately familiar with all areas of tax and tax law. 
• Additional training at university or a dedicated educational body to become a tax expert is a bonus. A qualification as a financial accountant is also useful. Some companies even require this. 
• For some career paths, a specific tax assistant qualification is required or at least very welcome. This can include specialising in: 
• Tax 
• Accounting 
• Auditing 
• Finance 
• Previously having completed an internship or having several years of professional experience as a tax assistant can be a big factor in helping you get a good tax assistant job. 
• Tax specialists also use automated tools to collect and process data. Being able to use these tools is a must. 
• In addition, you'll need to have a professional manner and good writing skills. 

Are tax assistants accountants? 

There are different financial and tax jobs that require different skills, expertise and levels of qualification. Tax assistants specialise specifically in tax and have a broader knowledge of all tax-related areas. Accountants focus on all the financial activity of a company or individual. This may involve tax to some extent, but their focus is on the wider financial picture. 

What can you earn as a tax assistant? 

Once you've successfully completed your studies to become a tax assistant, you can embark on your career path. The average salary for a tax assistant ranges from £28,000 to £32,000.