Private Client Services (ATT/CTA)

What is Private Client Services?

Our Private Client Services (PCS) team combines personal tax, global mobility and trusts. In PCS every day is different as we deal with a variety of tax problems that our clients face through every stage of life. These clients could be farmers, entrepreneurs, international executives, CEOs, lawyers, doctors, landlords, movie stars, sportspeople, retired individuals and more.

We support clients in untangling the tax legislation and translating this into meaningful advice, which is bespoke to them, and keeping them updated with constant changes in tax laws.

We work with an established network of lawyers, IFAs, bankers in providing a complete service. Our team spans across all our offices, supported also by our Kreston Global network.

Starting a career in Private Client Services

Initially in your career you would be acquiring knowledge on income and capital gains tax, and how this interacts with a client’s personal tax return.

You would learn how to liaise with third parties, such as HMRC, and work alongside experienced seniors, managers, directors, and partners. You would have client contact early on in your career and would establish that relationship.

As you progress through your career you will be exposed to more advisory work which could involve advising on any number of issues a client faces.

The types of issues a private client advisor may be involved with include:

• Understanding the personal income tax and capital gains tax systems and learning to use the relevant software.
• Preparing a personal tax return and working with the wider team.
• Liaising with the UK tax authority – HMRC.
• Working on a HMRC enquiry into a client’s personal tax return.
• Attending meetings for new and existing clients.
• Reviewing a client’s annual income tax liability and how making gift aid or pension contributions impacts this.
• Reviewing what the capital gains tax liability could be for a client disposing of their main home which was let out during a period they worked overseas.
• Advising a client, who has set up a new limited company, on their personal tax position if they take a salary, or dividends, and have a director’s loan.

What qualification will I achieve?

Working in PCS you will study the ATT CTA Tax Pathway as part of a three-year Level 7 Apprenticeship. The Tax Pathway gives you the unique opportunity to obtain two tax qualifications at the same time – the ATT qualification, which develops a solid foundation in tax compliance, and the CTA qualification, which will build high quality tax advisory skills.

More information about the Tax Pathway can be found here.