VAT Tax: Get the career you want at RSM.

Our VAT tax school leaver programme will give you all the skills and support you need to unlock a future that’s packed with opportunities and new experiences. You’ll enjoy a fast-tracked business career that recognises your potential and rewards your ambition.
When you join our team, you’ll enjoy a powerful combination of on-the-job learning and structured training – not to mention an impressive client list to work with. You’ll discover a culture that nurtures individuality and an environment where everyone is supported to reach their potential. With us, you’ll always be moving forward.

What does our VAT Tax team do?

VAT is a transaction tax that’s added to things that are bought and sold. Today, it operates in an ever-increasing number of countries across the world.
A career as a VAT specialist is about getting to know your clients, their businesses and the industries they operate in. You’ll then work with them to make sure VAT doesn’t become an obstacle to their long-term goals.
On a day-to-day basis, our team helps organisations and individuals comply with the shifting requirements of the tax authorities around the world and pay the right amount of VAT so they avoid criminal convictions, hefty fines and damage to their reputations.
We also help shape business strategies so organisations can legally reduce the amount of VAT they pay.

What can you expect?

With us, you’ll be involved in VAT compliance and advisory work from day one – anything from liaising with clients or HM Revenue and Customs, researching case law and talking with our overseas offices to preparing VAT returns.
The breadth of services we offer and the range of clients we help means you’ll have plenty of opportunity to follow the career path you want. With our support, you’ll have the space to grow professionally so you can confidently take on ever-more complicated tasks.
At RSM, you’ll gain hands-on experience alongside access to on-the-job mentoring. You’ll also be able to access our expert training programmes and have the opportunity to work towards the ATT qualification.
Once you’ve passed your initial ATT qualifications you’ll have the opportunity get involved in more challenging VAT advisory projects. You will also start working independently. Our internal mentors can help you decide whether you then study towards the CTA (Chartered Tax Adviser) qualification or joint CTA/ACA qualification, and will give you all the support you need to make a confident decision about your next step.
As you come towards the end of your studies, you’ll have a deep understanding of VAT. This will be reflected in the complexity of your client portfolio and your responsibilities, including mentoring more junior members of the team.

What we look for

Tax is a technically demanding discipline, so we look for school leavers who are always up for a challenge and are quick to grasp new subjects. We also look for team players who can communicate clearly and are curious about how businesses work. While you don’t have to be a maths genius, you will need to be comfortable with numbers.
If that sounds like you, we know you’ll enjoy being part of our team.

Entry requirements

At RSM, we don’t just look for good exam results. We think passion, personality and originality are just as important.
You will need:

• a minimum of 5 GCSEs grade C or above or 5 National 4/5 Qualifications (or equivalent), including Maths and English language;
• 112 UCAS (new tariff) across 3 A Levels or 104 (new tariff) across 4 Highers/Advanced Highers

UCAS changed their points system so under the old tariff it would be 280 or 260 points respectively.

Why RSM?

As one of the world’s largest networks of audit, tax and consulting firms, we’ll help you reach your full potential. You’ll work on an impressive client list – from multinational and growth-focused entrepreneurs to fashion icons. The variety of projects will challenge you every day, helping you expand your capabilities and grow professionally. And with access to a global team that spans more than 120 countries, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to broaden your horizons. Discover a culture that nurtures individuality and celebrates fresh thinking. It’s your career. Own it at RSM.