Tax & Business Advisory Assistant — ACCA Approved Employer job at Colchester Full Time NEW

Tax & Business Advisory Assistant — ACCA Approved EmployerCompany Overview

Lighthall Consult is a growing firm of Chartered Certified Accountants providing accountancy, tax, business advisory, and proactive tax planning services to a diverse portfolio of clients.

As an ACCA Approved Employer, we support eligible ACCA students and affiliates in gaining relevant practical experience while working in a professional accountancy practice environment.

We are now looking for a motivated Tax & Business Advisory Assistant to work closely with one of our Partners and support client advisory, tax planning, research, and practice development work.

Summary

This is a valuable opportunity for someone who wants more than a routine bookkeeping or accounts-processing role.

The successful candidate will support the Partner primarily with tax consultancy, proactive tax planning, business advisory work, client research, tax computations, and strategic client support.

The firm already has a team that handles much of the core bookkeeping, accounts production, VAT, payroll, and compliance work. However, during busy periods or where client deadlines require it, the successful candidate may also be asked to support the wider team with bookkeeping, statutory accounts preparation, tax computations, VAT work, and related compliance tasks.

This role is suitable for an ACCA affiliate, ACCA part-qualified candidate, AAT-qualified candidate with strong tax interest, accounting/finance graduate, or ambitious trainee who wants direct Partner mentoring and broad exposure to the advisory side of accountancy practice.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will assist with:

• Supporting proactive tax planning work for clients
• Assisting with tax consultancy research
• Preparing client advisory notes, summaries, reports, and follow-up documents
• Supporting business strategy and client planning projects
• Reviewing client information and helping identify tax or advisory planning points
• Assisting with corporation tax and personal tax computations
• Preparing notes and action points before and after client meetings
• Helping convert technical tax and business ideas into clear client-facing recommendations
• Supporting ongoing client communication and documentation
• Liaising with the internal accounts/compliance team where required
• Maintaining accurate client records using systems such as QuickBooks, Sage, Xero, Excel and practice-management tools
• Assisting with bookkeeping, VAT work, statutory accounts preparation, payroll administration, and compliance tasks during peak workload periods
• Staying up to date with relevant UK tax, accounting, and business developments
• Supporting the Partner with practice development, administration, and client-service delivery

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate may be one of the following:

• ACCA affiliate
• ACCA part-qualified
• AAT qualified or studying AAT
• Accounting, finance, business, or tax graduate
• Current accounting/finance student with strong academic ability
• Candidate with UK accountancy practice, bookkeeping, tax, VAT, payroll, or advisory experience

Skills Required

We are looking for someone who has:

• Some knowledge of UK tax and accounting
• Strong interest in proactive tax planning and business advisory work
• Good analytical and research skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to summarise tax and business issues clearly
• Confidence using Excel, Word, email, and accounting software
• Familiarity with QuickBooks, Sage, Xero, or similar software
• Professional attitude and discretion when dealing with client matters
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Willingness to learn directly from a Partner
• Flexibility to support wider compliance work during busy periods

Working Pattern

This is a part-time role, initially office-based for training, supervision, and integration with the team.

There may be potential for hybrid working once the successful candidate is fully trained, trusted, and able to work independently.

Suggested hours: 15–20 hours per week, with flexibility depending on business needs, candidate availability, and any study or visa restrictions.

Pay

£14.00 – £20.00 per hour, depending on experience, qualification level, UK tax knowledge, and ability to support advisory work independently.

The higher end of the range is intended for candidates who can contribute meaningfully to tax research, client advisory support, tax computations, business planning, and Partner-level support with limited supervision.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements
• On-site parking
• Direct Partner-level mentoring
• Exposure to tax consultancy and proactive tax planning
• Practical experience in accountancy practice
• Opportunity to develop technical, commercial, and client-facing skills
• Suitable environment for ACCA/AAT students and affiliates seeking relevant practical experience
• Potential for long-term development and greater responsibility

Work Authorisation

Applicants must have the right to work in the United Kingdom.

Applicants on a Student visa must ensure their working hours comply with their visa conditions.

Call to Action

If you are serious about developing your career in tax, accountancy, and business advisory, we would like to hear from you.

Please submit your CV with a short cover letter explaining:

• Your accounting, tax, bookkeeping, or advisory background
• Your ACCA, AAT, or academic status
• Why you are interested in tax planning and business advisory work
• How does this role fits your long-term career goals

Job Type: Part-time
Pay: £14.00 – £20.00 per hour
Expected hours: 15–20 per week
Work Location: In person initially, with potential for hybrid working after training

Pay: £14.00-£20.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Work from home

Application question(s):

• Are you ACCA student, ACCA Affiliate or ACCA memeber

Education:

• Bachelor’s (preferred)

Experience:

• UK Tax: 1 year (preferred)
• UK Tax: 1 year (required)

Language:

• English (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person