Finding the best tax job in Ireland isn’t taxing…

The N.I. and Dublin tax job markets are booming.

Tax hiring is all areas and at all levels.

The war for Tax Talent continues!

New avenues opening up for tax professionals.

Interviews are a thing of the past.

Candidates are the big winners (salary, benefits, flexibility, progression).

A very positive outlook! In the midst of recession speculation and unsettlement in the local and UK economy at the moment, many people have expressed doubt towards the job market. Common concerns I’ve heard stem around “Last in will be the first to go”, or “The market is too unstable to move”.

These concerns may be true in some instances, as the lay-offs from global tech giants and others are common knowledge due to their broadscale documentation in the news, making it only natural to be sceptical. However, if you’re a tax professional or wanting to become a tax professional, the here and now is very fruitful, and so is the future.

The N.I. and Dublin tax job markets are booming.

Accountancy practices continue to be the most active out of all employers in wanting to speak with tax candidates, as industry firms endeavour to outsource and gain the best advice and guidance in mapping out their tax break opportunities and meet compliance standards.

Subsequently, it’s not only the Big4 looking to hire. Accountancy firms of all sizes are on the lookout, mid-tier firms along with regional and smaller practices are also on the hunt which bodes well for someone who is looking to change the size of firm that they are working in.

Dublin Market Tax Salaries

• Assistant Manager – €52k-65k
• Manager – €65k-85k
• Senior Manager – €90k-110k
• Director – €120k+
• Partner – €180k+

Tax hiring is all areas and at all levels.

Having built a strong relationship with numerous Big4, Big6, mid-tier, small practices, and boutique firms across both Belfast and Dublin markets, partners and senior leadership teams have explained to me that they are extremely keen to speak with qualified tax candidates from all disciplines including corporate, personal, R&D, employment, VAT, and indirect tax.

On the part-qualified and graduate fronts there is also a large demand, as companies have identified that growing their tax teams is essential in being able to provide competitive services to clients across all aspects of tax.

Position:	Big 4/Top 10 Firm	Independent Firm	Market Average
Tax Senior	£24-28,000	£24-28,000	£26,000
Tax Assist Mgr	£34-38,000	£32-38,000	£36,000
Tax Manager	£42-52,000	£40-48,000	£45,000
Tax Senior Manager	£55-75,000	£55-75,000	£66,000
Tax Director	£90-110,000	£80-110,000	£92,000
Tax Partner	Contact Abacus

The war for Tax Talent continues!

With changes in legislation from the government resulting in companies having their tax duties increased and changed dramatically, firms are now more than ever seeking advice from the experts… experienced tax professionals from recognised accountancy firms.

The influx of the graduate and part-qualified candidates has also driven progression within the qualified space of tax, as firms need experienced employees to move up into management and leadership positions to help develop the next wave of professionals whilst advising clients on their queries.

New avenues opening up for tax professionals..

The changes in legislation and increase of PQ and graduate candidates has given well deserved promotions at all levels from ‘Senior Associates’ to ‘Directors’. It has also created the need for external hires as companies compete for the limited number of experienced tax professionals in Northern Ireland and Dublin… and this is where you as a candidate can benefit greatly.

If you haven’t been given a promotion pathway yet you should be speaking with your employer as soon as possible. There are a number of firms across Northern Ireland and Dublin who are chomping at the bit to speak with you as a tax professional and explain how they can drive your career forwards in the direction you aspire. If you’re not asking the question, you are probably missing out.

Interviews are a thing of the past.

An important thing to understand nowadays is that conversations between candidate and employer are conducted in a very informal manner. Dialogue is reciprocal as the employers have expressed that they are keen to hear a candidate speak about what they want with their career and portray their passion for getting there.

The days of intense and structured interviews are behind us, and many candidates are extremely positive towards conversations they’ve had with prospective employers regardless if they were successful or not in getting the position.

Candidates are the big winners (salary, benefits, flexibility, progression).

Career progression appears high on wish-lists across most professions and having spoken with well over a hundred tax professionals across N.I. and Dublin in 2023 alone, this remains consistent. External moves should always be a last resort as employees should speak with managers and directors beforehand to try and generate an amicable arrangement for progression, flexibility, or whichever reason that is creating frustration.

If the frustration cannot be solved internally, then it’s time to consider your other options… and you have a lot of them! Candidates I’ve worked with over the past six months have all moved for a promotion, and with that has always came a higher salary and generous work flexibility. Who wouldn’t want that? Just a few examples of the candidates I’ve helped recently can be seen below:

• Corporate Tax Manager (industry) -> Senior Corporate Tax Manager (practice)
• PC Tax Senior (practice) -> PC Tax Supervisor (practice)
• R&D Specialist (industry) -> R&D Tax Manager (practice)

If you want to know any more information on the tax market in either Northern Ireland or Dublin, reach out to myself in confidence for an in-depth discussion on any area that interests you. Having built strong relationships with 20+ practices across both locations I’ll be able to provide any tax opportunity that you may be looking for.