Graduate Programme, Business Tax (Research and Development)

S&W is hiring a Graduate R&D Incentives Advisor to help innovative companies claim R&D tax relief by analysing technical projects, financial data, and tax regulations across industries such as engineering, software, manufacturing, and aerospace.

Job Description

At S&W, we help our clients thrive by simplifying the complex, illuminating new paths, and shaping solutions that make a difference. As one of the UK’s top 10 fastest-growing accountancy firms, we have been a trusted partner since 1881—helping businesses and individuals meet challenges and seize opportunities across generations.

Built on expertise and driven by ambition, we provide a comprehensive range of services, including tax and accountancy, advisory and assurance, corporate finance, and restructuring. We are defined by our purpose—to help navigate challenges, unlock potential, and achieve the extraordinary.

Introduction to the R&D Incentives Advisory team at S&W

As part of our R&D Incentives Advisory team, you’ll help pioneering companies gain access to innovation funding. Whether it’s developing sustainable energy systems, advancing modern construction techniques, revolutionising manufacturing processes, or innovating in aerospace and transport, your role will be key to helping businesses grow and push the boundaries of what’s possible.

What will you be doing?

As a Graduate in S&W’s R&D Incentives Advisory team, you’ll step into a unique consultancy role where you can help drive innovation.

You’ll work directly with companies across the UK, helping them claim tax relief for cutting-edge innovation activities. Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of specialists in engineering, science, technology, and tax, you’ll gain exposure to a wide range of industries, such as Aerospace & Defence, Architecture, Construction, Manufacturing, Biotechnology, and Software Development – the opportunities are endless.

On a day-to-day basis, you’ll be engaging directly with designers, project engineers, CEOs and CFOs, gaining a wealth of experience in both the technical and strategic dimensions of innovation. You’ll gain exposure to cutting-edge technologies and development challenges.

You’ll be involved in uncovering the details behind complex engineering projects, translating technical challenges into compelling reports, and helping businesses realise the value of their R&D efforts through tax relief. This exposure will not only deepen your technical insight but also sharpen your communication, consulting, and stakeholder engagement skills in a client-focused environment.

Not only that, you’ll also be helping your clients calculate the value of their claims, gaining valuable technical expertise into tax law and the workings of company finances.

During your training contract, you’ll work towards achieving the ATT/CTA qualification—highly regarded in the professional services sector. You’ll apply this alongside your expanding technical expertise.

This role is ideal for graduates who want to work in a client-facing consulting environment. You’ll gain a broad base of knowledge and use it to assess innovation across industries, working with diverse teams and engaging directly with clients. Strong communication, analytical thinking, writing, and project management skills are key.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Collaborating with technical leads and senior stakeholders to uncover the innovation behind their projects and identify activities that qualify for R&D tax relief.

• Translating complex innovation challenges into clear, compelling technical documentation that showcases the value of clients’ R&D efforts.

• Developing technical knowledge of tax law and financial/tax systems.

• Analysing financial data and applying tax law to calculate the value of clients’ R&D claims.

• Completing your professional qualifications.

• Building trusted relationships with clients by communicating effectively across both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Working closely with a multidisciplinary team of engineering, science, and tax professionals, contributing to client’s success and learning from others.

• Developing your internal network across S&W’s wider tax practice to broaden your exposure and accelerate your professional growth

To be successful in this role, you should:

• Be committed to completing the Associate Tax Technician and Chartered Tax Advisor (ATT/CTA) qualifications.

• Have strong communication skills, both oral and written.

• Have strong proficiency in English and Mathematics.

• Have obtained or be predicted a minimum 2:2 degree.

• A Level: 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 respectively.

• Knowledge / experience in engineering, software development, or architecture would be beneficial.

Learning & Development

You’ll be supported in completing your qualification; gaining the finance knowledge, accountancy skills, and real-world business experience to jumpstart your career. And you won’t do it alone - you’ll be joining as part of a cohort with your own personal support network, including a buddy to offer first-hand experience.

Your qualification training will be supported by a leading UK training provider, and you’ll be given the space and time to study whilst developing a variety of skills to become a well-rounded advisor. You’ll receive guidance and support each step of the way by our dedicated Learning & Development team and training contact for your department to make sure you have everything you need to realise your potential from day one.

In addition to your professional qualification training, you’ll receive structured and guided technical development designed to help you understand how innovation is delivered in practice. You’ll be supported in developing a strong understanding of a wide array of technologies, methodologies, practices, and techniques which underpin R&D projects across a wide range of industries and disciplines.

You’ll receive training on how projects are assessed for R&D tax purposes, including how to support and contribute to technical interviews with the client’s technical resource i.e. engineers, scientists, design managers, project managers, etc.

Under guidance from experienced colleagues, you’ll learn how to identify technological advances and uncertainties, and how to translate these into clear, well-structured technical narrative that meet the requirements set out in governmental guidelines and tax legislation.

Throughout your journey, you’ll build technical credibility with clients, and develop the analytical, communication, tax technical, and advisory skills required to succeed in a professional services role.

As a colleague here at S&W you will 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

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.