Be at the heart of actionFly remote-controlled drones into enemy territory to gather vital information.

Apply Now

Tax Assistant, IRI

KPMG
Newcastle upon Tyne
9 months ago
Applications closed

Job description

At KPMG, our values define who we are and the way we do business. As a leading professional services firm, we know that our strength and capability comes from our people – their different perspectives, experiences and backgrounds. From our inclusive leadership strategy to our diversity and inclusion targets – we’re making bold changes to who we are and what we do. Be part of it.

 

KPMG’s Innovation Reliefs and Incentives team is made up of tax, engineering, science and technology specialists delivering expert advice to a broad range of clients across almost every industry sector.

 

We’re currently seeking graduates with a strong scientific/engineering background to assist clients across as suite of innovation advisory services including R&D tax Credits, Patent Box, R&D Allowances, Grants and Innovation Advisory services.

This is an excellent opportunity for a science/ engineering graduate looking to use their technical knowledge and critical thinking to assist our clients in applying complex R&D legislation to real life situations. The role will require you to work collaboratively with other team members in a consultancy environment. You will have strong technical background and be able to quickly understand/learn technical concepts across several sectors. Excellent report writing, presenting and project management skills are a key requirement. In addition, strong interpersonal/communication skills and client relationship abilities are a must for the role.

Role and Responsibilities:

Working with project teams to develop the technical approach and deliver R&D tax relief claims for submission to HMRC. Support in meetings with senior technical and financial client stakeholders; and provide expert advice in relation to innovation advisory services (R&D tax, Patent Box, Grant Applications). Writing accurate and substantive technical project reports to support R&D tax claims for our clients R&D projects. Being able to quickly learn and understand concepts from different engineering/scientific disciplines and demonstrate technical credibility with clients. Assist in leading projects; and solving problems by advising our clients in the application of complex R&D legislation to real life situations. Help to establish and maintain strong client relationships with both existing and new clients. Taking responsibility and accountability for your own work. You will be responsible for the delivery of high-quality advice; and ensuring the management of risk and reputation is at the forefront of everything you do. Support the engagement team in working with HMRC to facilitate agreement of R&D claims.

Skills and Qualifications:

Honours/ Post Graduate Degree in Engineering, Physical Sciences or other related technical discipline. Having experience of having worked in industry would be advantageous. You have a working knowledge of the technological challenges faced by industry, and quickly grasp how these apply across various different sectors including aerospace, automotive, civil engineering, food and beverage, life sciences, Oil & Gas and other manufacturing areas. Must be willing to quickly upskill in a fast-paced environment. You will be required to quickly develop an understanding of the key technical/ tax concepts relevant to R&D claim preparation, as well as the capability to work within cross-disciplinary teams. Must have excellent problem-solving skills and critical thinking to assist our clients applying complex legislation to real life situations. Excellent communication skills are a must. For example, you must be able to lead technical discussions and explain complex legislative concepts to scientists / engineers in industry who have no prior experience of the tax definition of R&D. Must be capable of producing high quality, professional documentation and reports for C-suite stakeholders within our clients. Must be able to demonstrate project management skills and an ability to manage own workload well.

Country

United Kingdom
 

KPMG Overview

KPMG is part of a global network of firms that offers Audit, Tax & Legal, Consulting, Deal Advisory and Technology services. Through the talent of over 16,000 colleagues, we bring our creativity and insight to our clients’ most critical challenges.

With offices across the UK, we work with everyone from small start-ups and individuals to major multinationals, in virtually every industry imaginable. Our work is often complex, yet our vision is simple: to be the clear choice for our clients, for our people and for the communities we work in.
 

Service Line Information

The Claims and Incentives team are part of our wider Corporate Tax department. They help our clients to secure cash tax savings through government sponsored tax reliefs and incentives. The team is made up of Fixed Asset Tax Services (“FATS”) and Innovation Reliefs & Incentives (“IRI”) and supports clients who incur expenditure on fixed assets and carry out innovative activities. The FATS team is made up of tax advisers, accountants and surveyors and reviews fixed asset costs such as expenditure incurred on the construction of property to enhance and accelerate the available tax relief wherever possible. They also help clients on their processes to capture data in relation to fixed assets and have developed technology tools to assist with this process.

Within IRI, staff work with clients to help them claim tax incentives for innovation. The IRI team works with companies of all sizes from almost every sector of the economy to identify their qualifying R&D activity, quantify it and help them obtain their R&D incentives, as well as working with clients to best leverage the Patent Box regime. The team consists of staff with a wide variety of skill sets all working together, from technical specialist including scientists, engineers and IT experts to fully qualified accountants and tax advisers. The teams are spread over the UK to best meet our clients’ needs and the national team all work together as one unit.

 

JD – IRI – E grade – Engineering and science
Note: This role is available across all of our UK offices

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Space Industry Recruitment Trends 2025 (UK): What Job Seekers Need To Know About Today’s Hiring Process

Summary: UK space‑sector hiring has shifted from pedigree‑first screening to capability‑driven evaluation across the full stack—spacecraft systems, payload/RF, flight software, GNC/ADCS, propulsion, structures/thermal, AIT (assembly–integration–test), mission/ground operations, reliability/radiation, and compliance (ECSS, export control). Employers want proof you can build, test, operate and scale space systems safely and economically. This guide explains what’s changed, what to expect in interviews & how to prepare—especially for satellite/spacecraft engineers, payload & RF/MM‑wave, flight & ground software, GNC/ADCS, power/thermal, AIT/test, mission ops, data/EO, and space product/TPM roles. Who this is for: Systems engineers, payload/RF engineers, flight software & FDIR, GNC/ADCS, power/thermal/structures, propulsion, AIT/test, reliability/radiation, QA/compliance, ground segment/cloud, mission operations, EO/data processing, and product/programme managers targeting roles in the UK space ecosystem.

Why Space Careers in the UK Are Becoming More Multidisciplinary

The UK’s space sector is growing fast — from satellite systems and Earth observation to satellite communications, space robotics, propulsion, space data analytics, and mission operations. But the nature of space work is changing. Projects involving satellites, launch systems, space robotics and ground infrastructure are now embedded in regulation, public perception, human interaction and cross-disciplinary design. Space careers in the UK used to be dominated by engineers, astrophysicists, systems analysts and telemetry experts. Today, they increasingly demand fluency not only in aerospace, software, electronics & data, but also in law, ethics, psychology, linguistics & design. After all, space systems operate under treaties, privacy constraints, public scrutiny, international collaborations and human interfaces. In this article, we explore why space careers in the UK are becoming more multidisciplinary, how those allied fields intersect with space work, and what job-seekers & employers must do to thrive in this evolving cosmos.

UK Space Team Structures Explained: Who Does What in a Modern Space Department

The UK space sector is rapidly expanding. With growth in satellite design, Earth observation, communications, launch systems, space science, downstream applications, and regulatory and operational services, there’s rising demand for skilled professionals across many disciplines. Building a high-impact space organisation requires well-defined team structures, clear roles, strong collaboration, and alignment across engineering, science, operations, regulation, and commercial functions. If you are applying for roles via UKSpaceJobs.co.uk or hiring into your company, this guide will help you understand the principal roles you’ll find in a space team, how they interact during mission lifecycles, what skills UK employers expect, salary norms, common challenges, and best practice for structuring space teams that succeed.