The UK tax recruitment market has entered a new phase. After two years of post-pandemic recalibration, 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most dynamic hiring environments for tax professionals in recent memory. Demand is outstripping supply in several key specialisms, salaries are rising faster than the broader professional services market, and the structure of tax teams — both in practice and in-house — is evolving rapidly.
What's Driving Demand?
Three structural forces are reshaping the market. First, Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax Self-Assessment is creating an enormous compliance workload across practice firms, from Big 4 to high-street accountancies. Second, the Pillar Two global minimum tax rules are forcing multinational groups to build or strengthen their international tax capabilities. Third, HMRC's increased focus on transfer pricing and cross-border arrangements is driving demand for specialists who can navigate complex regulatory frameworks.
The net result: employers across the board are competing for the same pool of qualified tax professionals, and they're having to pay more — and offer more flexibility — to secure the best talent.
Salary Movements
Our data shows an average salary increase of 8.2% year-on-year for qualified tax professionals — well above the 4-5% seen in general accounting and finance roles. The increases are most pronounced at the Manager and Senior Manager levels, where the supply squeeze is most acute.
Corporate tax managers in London are now commanding £65,000–£80,000, up from £58,000–£72,000 just 18 months ago. Outside London, the gap is narrowing — Manchester and Birmingham-based firms are offering packages within 10-15% of London rates, compared to the 20-25% differential seen historically.
At Director and Partner level, the picture is more nuanced. Lateral moves between firms can unlock significant uplifts (20-30%+), but organic progression within a single firm remains more modest.
The In-House Opportunity
One of the most significant trends of 2025 is the growth of in-house tax functions. FTSE 250 companies, PE-backed groups, and fast-growing tech businesses are building dedicated tax teams rather than relying solely on external advisers.
For candidates, this opens up a new career path: better work-life balance, commercial breadth, and — increasingly — competitive compensation packages that rival practice. In-house tax roles have grown 22% year-on-year on our platform, making it the fastest-growing segment by employer type.
What This Means for You
Whether you're actively looking or simply keeping an eye on the market, the data is clear: qualified tax professionals have more leverage than at any point in the last decade. The key is understanding exactly where your specialism sits in the supply-demand equation — and what that means for your earning potential.
If you're considering a move, now is an excellent time to have a confidential conversation about your options. If you're not — bookmark this page and sign up for our monthly market brief to stay informed.