Saffery
R&D Tax Manager/ Assistant Manager

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R&D Manager or Assistant Manager
The Role
We are seeking an experienced R&D Manager or Assistant Manager to join our in-house R&D tax team. Our firm serves a diverse client portfolio spanning various business sectors, offering opportunities to work on a wide range of R&D tax projects.
As a member of our team, you will work with senior staff to lead the preparation of R&D claims, ensuring compliance with R&D tax legislation and providing valuable expertise to our clients.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate confidently and knowledgeably with senior colleagues within the R&D, corporate tax, audit, and accounts teams.
- Support client meetings, whilst explaining our services effectively.
- Manage and successfully deliver R&D tax projects, emphasizing technical excellence and practical, business-driven solutions.
- Prepare comprehensive documentation in line with UK BEIS guidelines and CIRD manual to support R&D claims while adhering to the firm's quality standards.
- Craft technical descriptions of client projects for inclusion in reports to be submitted to HMRC, and edit client-drafted descriptions for improvements.
- Coordinate and participate in interviews with clients' technical and finance teams, advising on R&D tax relief and qualifying R&D activities and expenditures.
- Contribute to claim methodology development and assist in the preparation of R&D tax relief claims for submission to HMRC.
- Support R&D engagements, including cost monitoring, billing, risk management, deliverables, and client relationships.
- Cultivate and maintain strong client relationships, delivering high levels of client service.
- Foster relationships within the firm and externally with clients and managing client expectations.
- Keep all relevant teams and Partners informed about project responsibilities and any issues that may impact client relationships.
- Collaborate with colleagues across different disciplines to build an internal network.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
The Team
Our R&D team is a national team based across different Saffery offices, with a dedicated group of Corporate Tax colleagues specialising in R&D tax. We’re looking for someone to ideally join our Manchester or Leeds office.
Qualifications And Skills
- Proactive, resilient, and driven with recent practical experience managing an R&D tax portfolio.
- Leadership: Strong managerial skills and up-to-date working knowledge of R&D tax issues.
- Background: Experience in organizing the delivery of R&D tax work, problem-solving, and taking initiative.
- Collegiality: Confidence and professionalism to establish credibility at all levels.
- Business Building: Commercial acumen and a clear understanding of client requirements.
- Qualifications: Preferably CTA/ ATT and/or ACA/ACCA/ qualified.
Reward And Benefits
- A 35 hour working week with a hybrid working policy with the flexibility to work from home for up to three days per week (our core hours are 10-4).
- Eligibility for the discretionary bonus scheme
- Excellent benefits including; contributory pension scheme, 25 days annual leave, Life Assurance cover and great flexible benefits and family friendly policies,
- Eligibility for the firm’s Profit-Sharing Plan. Paid in December.


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About Us
Saffery LLP is an adviser to individuals and businesses across a range of sectors, providing market-leading accountancy, audit, business advisory, tax and VAT services. Founded in 1855, we are the UK’s 15th largest accountancy firm.
When you work with us at Saffery, you work with people who know your name, not just a job title. We’re a place shaped by friendly, intelligent people who are individually excellent and collectively exceptional. We’re committed to our clients, but also to our greatest asset – our people.
As a proud member of Nexia, a leading, international network of independent accounting and consulting firms, we’ve got access to local insight on a global scale.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Equality, diversity and inclusion is a top priority for us. With our ED&I strategy, Everyone Belongs, we are building on our positive work culture and implementing initiatives to improve diversity and strengthen our equitable culture of inclusion, led from the top.
We hope you will apply to us, whatever your background, ethnicity, gender, age, sexuality, disability or neurodivergence, because individual differences equal collective strength. Built on values of excellence, integrity, collaborative, progressive and responsible, Saffery is where Potential meets Personal.
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