Consultant, R&D Technical (Hybrid)

This client-facing role, reporting into the Manager or Senior Manager, involves undertaking a discovery into businesses’ research and development projects/activities and expenditure to identify and qualify opportunities for tax relief. It incorporates the following, and the line-management of consultants carrying out the same : (i) determining eligibility for claimant companies, (ii) ascertaining and evaluating technical project detail from subject matter experts (scientists and technologists) for qualification as R&D for tax purposes per legislation and government guidelines, (iii) ascertaining and evaluating financial and expenditure information relevant to the R&D projects to quantify the size of the tax relief claim per legislation and government guidelines, (iv) writing complex technical documents to justify the claim, (v) defending claims in the case of challenge by the tax collection authority and to safeguard the client’s interests (e.g. minimising the tax benefit lost or any financial penalties incurred).
We work with every industry/sector and every level of company, therefore the types of
businesses Consultants engage with are diverse, consultations are conducted with the technical experts, directors and senior management of limited companies. Knowledge is applied to clients’ businesses and a report is developed, spelling out the level of approved activity present. The Consultant, R&D Technical is the primary interface with clients, being an expert in understanding what R&D has been carried out, how much tax relief the client is entitled to and advising clients on how to maximise their future claims.
A career as a Consultant, R&D Technical will suit those people who enjoy constantly researching and analysing problems, enjoy being an ‘expert’ in their field, and have an ability to communicate complex pieces of information in a simple and easily understood manner.

• Creates a positive team experience.

• Explores potential R&D activity in a detailed, thoughtful and considered manner with subject matter experts
• Identifies the most effective and concise justifications for projects that qualify for R&D tax relief by being able to explain the technological baseline from first principles, relative advances in knowledge and descriptions of technological/scientific challenges. Manages complex claim compilations and engaging directors/C-level executives and corporate customers.
• Reviews financial documentation and establish qualification of candidate claimants.
• Authors high-quality narrative reports that efficiently and effectively communicate robust justifications for projects that qualify for R&D tax relief by being able to explain the technological baseline from first principles, relative advances in knowledge/capability and descriptions of technological/scientific challenges.
• Explore potential R&D expenditure in an informed and articulate manner with business leaders.
• Effectively explains the impact of future changes in the tax legislation and key areas of focus at HMRC to decision-makers.
• Maintain diligent records of pertinent information and client interaction, thoroughly documenting activity on the company’s internal systems
• Manage relationships with a variety of client-side contacts, including business leaders, technical leads and finance leads, to ensure that all deadlines are met in a timely and controlled manner.
• Ensure appropriate client handling best practices are applied, and complaint-handling processes are followed.
• Ensure compliance-related processes are appropriately followed for the timely and successful defence of claims under enquiry by the tax collection authority.

• Involvement in HMRC enquiries on both existing claims and new clients
• Performs other duties as assigned

• Right to work in the UK with no restrictions.
• Minimum 1 years’ experience of one or more of the following:

• Quantitative or qualitative research experience
• Experience within a field of science or technology
  • Experience working in sectors where R&D is prevalent (e.g. software, manufacturing, technology)
• Experience in report writing to deadlines
• Experience of working with financial documentation

• Professional qualification, or degree, such as a Bachelors, Masters, AAT or ATT (or willing to work towards qualification) is desirable.

• Standard indoor working environment, primarily home-based with regular client and company site visits.
• Occasional long periods of sitting while working at computer.
• Position requires regular interaction with employees at all levels of the company, clients, and interface with external vendors as necessary.
• This role is split approximately between:

• 1/5 of the week spent on report writing, enquiry work and related administrative tasks
• 4/5 of the week on client visits, with regular overnight stays required.