Associate Director Private & Trusts Assurance

Alternatively, Grant ThorntonAt Grant Thornton we do things differently - looking to the future, driving ambitious growth and pioneering positive change in our industry. Providing audit, tax and advisory services, we empower clients through strategic insight, curiosity, and genuine partnership. And we empower our people with real opportunity, an inclusive culture and work life balance. A true alternative. With over 5,000 people in the UK, and a presence in 150 global markets, we're on an ambitious journey, from great to exceptional, and we need the best people to help us achieve our potential. And with that comes the opportunity to help redefine what our industry looks like, and what you want from your career. :NEW GROUND WON’T BREAK ITSELF. Every day our teams help people in businesses and communities to do what is right and achieve their goals.About the teamOur Private & Trusts Assurance team advises individuals, trustees and estates on a wide range of personal tax matters. Our clients include UK and non-UK resident individuals, entrepreneurs, family office principals, trustees of UK and offshore trusts, and owners of privately held businesses. The team combines a strong compliance and assurance function with a growing advisory capability, and this role sits at the heart of both.The roleThis is a senior technical role with two complementary purposes: ensuring the quality and accuracy of our most complex compliance work, and helping to realise the full advisory potential of our client relationships.You will work closely with a dedicated Director and the wider Private teams.Key responsibilitiesTechnical review — complex tax returnsYou will take responsibility for second-reviewing the most technically demanding and interesting personal tax returns in the portfolio. Examples of the type of areas you would be expected to review include:Private equity transactionsTrust income and gainsExempt income and reliefs, including EIS/SEIS claims, pension-related matters and other statutory exemptionsResidence and domicile elements including the remittance basis, foreign income and gains claims and associated compliance requirementsCross-border income, foreign tax credits and double tax treaty claimsComplex capital gains computations, including business asset disposal reliefAdvisory — identifying and delivering client opportunitiesA core part of this role is helping the team to leverage the existing portfolio for advisory work. You will:Identify advisory opportunities as they arise from return preparation and review work and technically driven initiatives and bring these to the attention of the client-responsible DirectorLiaise with internal colleagues to support their clients including attending calls and assisting with pitch documents ands quotesDeliver advisory work across a broad range of personal tax areas, including:UK and international residence and domicileDouble tax treaties and cross-border structuringIncome extraction strategies for owner-managed businesses and family officesInheritance tax, estate planning including the use of trustsWork closely with the dedicated Director and, where relevant, specialists across the firm to ensure that advice is commercially sound and technically robustHelp to develop and maintain client relationships, supporting the Director in client-facing conversations and written adviceTeam support and developmentYou will play an active role in supporting the wider team, including:Acting as a technical resource for colleagues who have ad hoc questions as they prepare or review tax returnsReviewing and providing feedback on work prepared by more junior members of the team including the advisory projectsContributing to team knowledge-sharing, including internal training or technical updates where appropriateHelping to embed good practice and consistency in the team's approach to complex compliance and advisory workSkills and experienceTechnical knowledge — essentialExtensive experience of personal tax compliance, including the preparation or review of complex self-assessment returnsStrong technical knowledge across income tax, capital gains tax and inheritance taxUnderstanding of trust taxation — both UK and, ideally, non-UK trusts – as it relates to personal tax returns. This role does not include preparation of trust accounts or tax returns.Familiarity with non-domicile and international tax matters, including the remittance basis, FIG claims, accessing the transitional repatriation facility and double tax treaty claimsExperience of private equity-related tax issues — carried interest, co-investment, management arrangements — would be an advantageCommercial and client skillsProven ability to identify advisory angles and translate technical knowledge into practical, client-focused adviceExperience of contributing to or delivering written advisory work, not just complianceComfortable in client-facing situations, with the ability to communicate complex tax issues clearly to sophisticated but non-technical clientsPeople and teamA collaborative working style and a genuine interest in supporting the development of more junior colleaguesGood judgement about when to escalate and when to take ownershipAn organised approach to managing a varied workload across review, advisory and support responsibilitiesKnowing we’re right for youThe culture at Grant Thornton is what sets us apart, we’re known for our inclusive culture and creating environments where all our people can flourish. The things that set you apart, we value them, and this helps us all to perform at our best.  Our values are the unwavering principles that shape our daily behaviours and decisions, alongside our drive to do the right thing. We’re looking for people who align with our values and are purposefully driven, actively curious and candid but kind. You can learn more about our values in practice here.It’s not just about our culture and values, in addition to a competitive salary and reward package, us you’ll also get: Tailored development programmes and access to coaching  Flexible bank holidays – allowing you to celebrate the days that are important to you  Benefits including pension, life assurance and private medical, additional holiday purchasing and health benefits Any benefits giving you access to shopping discounts, gym memberships, financial advice  And more. Visit our benefits section to read more.How we workWe have a trust-based way of working, driven by responsible people who have the best interests of our firm and our clients at heart. Our how we work framework gives flexibility in where, how, and when we work to deliver the best results for our clients, whilst helping you keep a balance between work and life. Life is more than work, the things you do, and the people you’re with outside of work matter, that’s why we’re happy to look at flexible working options for all our roles.  That is how it should be. We’re looking for people who can help drive the business forward, who want to contribute, spark fresh ideas and go beyond expectations. People who want to be able to proudly do what’s right, for the firm, our clients, our people and themselves. It’s how it should be.#LI-CJ1SummaryLocation: Milton Keynes; Manchester; Newcastle; Liverpool; BirminghamType: Full time