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How to become a tax adviser

Tax advisers help people and businesses understand and meet their tax obligations — preparing returns, explaining tax rules and planning ahead within the law.

You could work in an accountancy or tax firm, a business's tax team, HMRC or for yourself, often specialising in an area such as VAT, corporation tax or inheritance tax.

Many tax advisers study for ATT or Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualifications while they work. These are professional titles, not licences.

  • Multiple routes
  • Professional study common
  • Earn while learning

3 routes into this career

Each route is a real, published way in. None is guaranteed, and requirements vary by employer. Select up to 3 to compare side by side.

  • Route AWork + study

    Trainee tax job with ATT, then CTA

    For those who want to start in a tax team after school, college or another job and build professional tax qualifications while they earn.

    Starting requirements

    • Employers set their own requirements for tax assistant and trainee roles
    • ATT needs at least 2 years' experience involving UK tax; CTA needs 3 years' relevant professional experience
    • You must register as a CTA student at least 4 months before your first CTA exam

    Pathway outline

    1. Start as a tax assistant or in an accounts team
    2. Register with the ATT and pass 3 written papers and 3 computer-based exams
    3. Apply for ATT membership after 2 years' relevant experience
    4. You could go on to the CTA: 7 exams, usually over 2 to 3 years
    5. Become a Chartered Tax Adviser once you have 3 years' relevant experience
    Estimated duration
    About 3 years or more
    How we estimate this

    ATT membership needs 2 years' experience; the CTA is not awarded until you have 3 years' relevant professional experience. Most CTA students finish the exams in 2 to 3 years.

    Estimated direct study costs
    £3,598Paid up front by you: £3,598Published fees only, at the lower and upper ends of official ranges. Training provider fees are extra. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    From your first tax or accounts job.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route BApprenticeship

    Professional taxation technician apprenticeship (Level 4)

    For those who want to earn a wage and train in tax, with training paid for by the employer and government.

    Starting requirements

    • You apply for an apprenticeship job; each employer sets its own entry requirements
    • The National Careers Service suggests 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher apprenticeship
    • Vacancies are competitive and availability varies by region

    Pathway outline

    1. Apply for a Level 4 professional taxation technician apprenticeship
    2. Work and train; your employer and the government pay for the training
    3. Complete the end-point assessment
    4. You could go on to the Level 7 accountancy or taxation professional apprenticeship (age rules apply) or the CTA
    Estimated duration
    About 2 years (5 with Level 7)
    How we estimate this

    Find apprenticeship training lists Professional taxation technician (Level 4) at 24 months and Accountancy or taxation professional (Level 7) at 36 months.

    Estimated direct study costs
    Up to £15,000 of training (funding band maximum), paid for youPaid up front by you: £0 — training and assessment are fundedApprentices do not pay for training or assessment. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    From day one — apprentices are employees and are paid a wage.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route CUniversity

    University degree, then a graduate tax role with the CTA

    For those who want a university education first and then join a graduate scheme in tax.

    Starting requirements

    • Universities set their own entry requirements; any subject can lead to tax work
    • Graduate schemes set their own requirements
    • The CTA needs 3 years' relevant professional experience before it is awarded

    Pathway outline

    1. Study a degree in any subject
    2. Apply for a graduate scheme or trainee role in tax
    3. Register as a CTA student and pass the 7 exams
    4. Build 3 years' relevant experience and join the CIOT
    Estimated duration
    About 6 years or more
    How we estimate this

    A typical 3-year full-time degree, then at least 3 years' relevant experience before the CTA is awarded.

    Estimated direct study costs
    £31,056Paid up front by you: £1,686Up-front figure assumes a Tuition Fee Loan pays the tuition. The loan is repaid from future earnings above a threshold, so it is shown separately as a loan balance.Published fees only, at the lower and upper ends of official ranges. Training provider fees are extra. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    Usually after graduating, although many students work part-time.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

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Good to know

Questions people ask

Do I need a degree to become a tax adviser?

No. You could start in a tax assistant role or a Level 4 taxation apprenticeship and study for ATT or the CTA while you work. A degree can lead to graduate schemes.

What is the difference between ATT and CTA?

ATT is the Association of Taxation Technicians' qualification for tax technicians (6 exams, 2 years' experience). CTA is the Chartered Institute of Taxation's chartered qualification (7 exams, 3 years' experience). Many people take ATT first; the Tax Pathway combines both.

Do tax advisers have to register with HMRC?

Since 18 May 2026, anyone paid to deal with HMRC on someone else's behalf about their tax generally has to register with HMRC, in phases until early 2027. Registration is free. It is not a qualification.

Sources

Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026. Every fee and requirement on this page links to one of these.

UK reference: median full-time pay for all employees was £39,039 in April 2025 (ONS ASHE, provisional).

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