Tax Associate

Clive Owen Llp; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 60,000 - GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional tax advisory firm in Darlington is seeking a Trainee Tax Associate to support a dynamic team. You'll prepare tax returns, work with modern tax software, and communicate with clients. The ideal candidate will have strong communication skills, proficiency in Excel, and 3 A-levels or equivalent. Full training and mentorship will be provided as you embark on your career in tax. This role offers a clear pathway for growth within the firm.

Benefits

Full study support for AAT/ACA/CTA

Real client exposure

Mentorship and coaching

Hands-on experience with modern tools

Career progression opportunities

Qualifications

• 3 A-levels at A*-C, AAT Level 3/4, or a degree.
• Confidence with clients face-to-face, on phone, and by email.
• Excellent IT skills, especially in Excel.
• Detail-oriented and able to spot errors.
• Initiative and problem-solving skills.
• Flexible and proactive with multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Prepare income tax, P11D, and corporation tax returns.
• Draft dividend paperwork and assist with tax computations.
• Research basic tax planning issues.
• Review and action queries during the tax return process.
• Act as a trusted point of contact for clients.
• Collaborate with colleagues for high-quality service.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Excellent IT skills

Attention to detail

Problem solving mindset

Ability to manage multiple priorities

Education

3 A-levels at A*-C or equivalent

AAT Level 3/4 or a degree

Tools

CCH

Iris

Taxshield

Job description

We are recruiting for the following position for our Darlington office.

Type: Full Time/Permanent

Location: Darlington

ROLE PROFILE – TAXATION ASSOCIATE (TRAINEE)

Why start your career in Tax with us?

At Clive Owen LLP, tax is never boring. You’ll be working with some of the region’s most entrepreneurial and successful businesses, helping them stay compliant while also exploring opportunities to plan smarter and grow stronger.

As a trainee Tax Associate, you’ll learn from experienced managers, use cutting‑edge tax software, and gain exposure to everything from compliance work to research and planning. Along the way, we’ll support you with training, mentoring, and professional development, so you can build a career you’ll be proud of.

What you’ll be doing

• Prepare income tax, P11D, and corporation tax returns, using modern systems like CCH, Iris and Taxshield
• Draft dividend paperwork and assist with tax computations
• Research basic tax planning issues to support senior colleagues
• Review and action queries raised during the tax return process
• Act as a trusted point of contact for clients on ad‑hoc queries
• Collaborate with colleagues across the firm to deliver high quality service

What we’re looking for

We care about your drive and potential as much as your current knowledge

• 3 A-levels at A*-C (or equivalent), or AAT Level 3/4, or a degree
• Strong communication skills – confidence with clients face‑to‑face, on the phone and by e‑mail
• Excellent IT skills (Excel is your friend)
• Attention to detail and the ability to spot errors
• Problem solving mindset with the initiative to act
• Flexible, proactive and able to manage multiple priorities

Nice to have

• Previous tax or accounting experience
• Familiarity with tax preparation software (CCH, Iris, Taxshield)
• Experience of delivering excellent client service

What you’ll get from us

• Professional Qualifications: Full study support for AAY/ACA/CTA, depending on your path
• Real client exposure: Work with ambitious and growing businesses
• Mentorship and coaching: Learn from experienced tax managers and Partners
• Modern tools: Hands on experience with the latest tax‑technology
• Career progression: A clear route for growth in tax advisory and beyond

Key Skills you’ll build

• Technical tax knowledge and compliance expertise
• Research and problem‑solving ability
• Client communication and relationship building
• Time management and organisation
• Delivering results to high professional standards

If you’re curious, detail driven and want to build a rewarding career in tax with a forward‑thinking firm, we’d love to hear from you !

Get in touch

Use the following contact details to get in touch with us:

Company: Clive Owen LLP

Location: Darlington

— Additional contact info omitted for privacy —