School Leaver Programme, Private Client Tax - Birmingham (Sept 2027)

Job Description

Why Start Your Career at S&W?

Starting your career is about more than just a job. It's about the people you learn from, the relationships you build and the experiences that shape you. Whether that's passing an exam, achieving a personal milestone or celebrating success with your colleagues, you'll be part of a team that's invested in your growth, celebrates your achievements and supports you to be yourself.

At S&W, you'll be given meaningful responsibility from the start, alongside the support and guidance needed to help you succeed. You'll learn from experienced colleagues, develop valuable professional skills and build confidence as your career progresses.

As one of the UK's fastest-growing accountancy and advisory firms, we offer a balance of opportunity and support. You'll learn from people at every level of the business, gain exposure to a variety of clients, industries and experiences, and develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to build a successful career.

No previous experience in accountancy, finance or professional services is required. We're looking for people with the right attitude and potential to succeed. If you're curious, eager to learn and ready to challenge yourself, we'll provide the training, support and opportunities to help you make the most of your potential.

The Private Client Tax team at S&W

Our Private Client Tax Services team works with a wide range of individuals, families and business owners, helping them navigate important decisions and manage their tax affairs with confidence. With over 6,000 private clients and 1,500 trusts, you'll gain experience supporting everyone from entrepreneurs and family businesses to high-net-worth individuals and families.

As part of the team, you'll help clients meet their tax obligations, communicate with HMRC and support them with their financial goals. You'll learn how to prepare tax returns and calculations, research solutions to complex problems and assist in delivering tailored advice. Along the way, you'll develop valuable technical, analytical and client-facing skills while building trusted relationships and making a real difference to the people and businesses you work with.

What will you be doing?

As part of our Private Client Tax team, you'll gain hands-on experience supporting a wide range of clients with their tax affairs and financial planning. This could include helping clients identify tax-efficient strategies, preparing tax returns and calculations, liaising with HMRC and supporting the delivery of tailored advice.

You'll be given responsibility from an early stage in your career, with the opportunity to build strong client relationships and develop your professional confidence. As your experience grows, you'll take on more ownership of client work, support new trainees joining the team and contribute to a variety of projects. Depending on the work available, this could include reviewing financial controls, supporting due diligence assignments and helping clients navigate more complex tax matters.

Alongside your day-to-day role, you'll study towards the ATT and CTA

qualifications

, as well as a government-recognised Level 7 professional qualification. You'll begin building the technical knowledge that underpins your work while developing the commercial, analytical and people skills needed for a successful career in professional services. With dedicated study support, expert tuition and guidance from colleagues who have completed the same journey, you'll have the support and resources to succeed throughout your training contract.

Your work will include:

• Liaising with clients and third parties to obtain information and build an understanding of their circumstances and objectives.
• Preparing tax returns and repayment claims, ensuring clients meet their compliance obligations accurately and on time.
• Helping clients understand their upcoming tax liabilities and the tax matters that may affect them.
• Assisting with the preparation of client advice, including technical tax research, strategic planning and drafting reports and recommendations.
• Corresponding with clients, HMRC and other third parties by phone, email and letter to support the delivery of high-quality client service.

To Be Successful in This Role

You'll be someone who:

• Is curious, eager to learn and open to new challenges
• Enjoys working with others and building positive relationships
• Has a keen eye for detail and enjoys solving problems
• Is proactive and looks for ways to make a positive contribution
• Takes ownership of their development and is motivated to achieve their goals

You'll also need to:

• Be committed to working towards the Level 7 ATT/CTA Tax Pathway professional qualification
• A Level: Predicted or obtained minimum 112 UCAS points in top three A Levels (or equivalent), excluding General Studies
• GCSE: Minimum Grade 5 (or equivalent), in English Language and Maths

No previous experience in accountancy, finance or professional services is required.

Your Learning & Development

We'll support you throughout your qualification journey with a leading UK training provider, dedicated study time and practical experience that complements your learning.

You'll join as part of a cohort and benefit from a strong support network that includes experienced colleagues, a buddy and our Learning & Development team. From your first day, you'll have people around you to guide you, answer questions and help you make the most of every opportunity.

As a Colleague at S&W, You'll Have Access to Benefits That Include

• Fully funded training towards professional

  qualifications

• Competitive salary
• Private medical insurance
• Life assurance
• Pension contribution
• Generous holiday package
• Option to purchase additional holiday
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Eye care support
• Shared parental leave

Our Commitment to Inclusion

We are proud to value the differences that a diverse workforce brings, representative of society and our clients. At S&W we have a wide range of highly active employee resource groups and we’re delivering multiple diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across the organisation. It is our commitment to provide a workspace where all colleagues, regardless of identity, background, or circumstance, feel respected as individuals and feel that they can achieve their full potential and work in a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment.

We are happy to make any reasonable adjustments to accommodate for your needs throughout the application process. Please let your Recruiter know.

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR COMPLETING YOUR APPLICATION

When you click on the 'I'm interested' button, you'll be taken to your profile page. We're currently updating it, but in the meantime:

• We can only accept one application to any of our programmes in a recruitment season. If you're unsuccessful, you'll need to wait until the following recruitment season to reapply.
• Under the Resume (CV) section, uploading a document is mandatory; however, it will not be formally reviewed.