September Tax Market Update 2026

As we move into September, hiring activity across the UK tax market remains resilient despite continued economic uncertainty. While firms remain selective and focused on strategic growth rather than large-scale headcount expansion, demand for high-calibre tax professionals continues to outpace supply across several key disciplines. Advisory-led skillsets, commercial awareness and client relationship management capabilities remain highly sought after, particularly at Manager, Senior Manager and Director level.

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Private Client Tax, Corporate Tax, US Tax and specialist advisory disciplines continue to attract significant investment, with firms focusing on strengthening service offerings, succession planning and sector expertise. We are also seeing growing demand for professionals who can combine technical excellence with leadership capability, business development experience and, increasingly, an understanding of how technology can enhance tax service delivery.

At the senior end of the market, Director and Partner hiring remains a prominent theme throughout 2026. Strategic hires across Private Capital, Real Estate, Private Client and specialist advisory teams highlight firms' continued confidence in long-term growth opportunities and their commitment to building the next generation of leadership. Meanwhile, competition for experienced Managers and Senior Managers remains particularly acute, with many employers facing ongoing challenges attracting and retaining talent in an increasingly candidate-short market.

In this month's update, we explore the latest hiring trends across Private Client Tax, Corporate Tax, M&A Tax, Transfer Pricing, R&D Tax, VAT & Indirect Tax, US Private Client Tax and US Corporate & Funds Tax, highlighting the key areas of investment, talent shortages and opportunities shaping the tax recruitment landscape as we inch closer to the final quarter of 2026.

Private Client Tax

The Private Client Tax market remained active throughout August and going into September, with demand continuing to exceed supply across most regions of the UK. While hiring activity remains broad-based, the most significant demand is currently concentrated at Assistant Manager through to Senior Manager level, where firms continue to face challenges attracting experienced advisers with the technical expertise, client management skills and advisory capabilities needed to support growing private wealth client portfolios.

The market remains firmly advisory-led, driven by increasing client demand for support across succession planning, residency and domicile issues, and wider wealth structuring. As a result, firms are placing greater emphasis on candidates who can build strong client relationships, lead advisory conversations and deliver tailored planning solutions, rather than those from a purely compliance-focused background.

London continues to account for the highest volume of opportunities, although regional and boutique firms remain highly competitive. Many are successfully attracting talent by offering broader client exposure, more direct access to senior leadership and clear progression opportunities. Candidates continue to place increasing value on career development, quality of work, flexibility and long-term progression, rather than remuneration alone.

At the more junior end of the market, hiring remains measured and selective. Firms continue to favour candidates with exposure to trusts, inheritance tax, partnerships and advisory work alongside compliance experience. Newly qualified professionals who can demonstrate commercial awareness, strong communication skills and a genuine interest in developing advisory expertise remain particularly attractive.

Director and Partner Hiring Trends

Director and Partner-level hiring has continued to gain momentum throughout 2026, with firms increasingly investing in senior talent to support succession planning, strengthen client relationships and drive future growth. While the volume of opportunities remains lower than at Manager and Senior Manager level, there has been a noticeable increase in strategic leadership hires across both national and specialist private client practices.

Demand is particularly strong for Directors with proven experience managing high-net-worth individuals, families, entrepreneurs and business owners, alongside a demonstrable track record of developing client relationships and generating new work. Firms are increasingly looking for individuals who can combine deep technical expertise with strong commercial acumen and leadership capability as they seek to build the next generation of private client leaders.

A notable trend emerging across the market is the growing interest in private client tax professionals with a tax technology and transformation background, particularly at Director level. As firms continue to invest in digitalisation, process improvement, data management and client-facing technology solutions, there is increasing demand for leaders who can help modernise service delivery while maintaining a high-quality client experience. Candidates who can bridge the gap between technical private client expertise and technology-driven change are attracting significant attention.

Partner recruitment remains selective but active, with firms continuing to explore strategic hires that can broaden service offerings, strengthen specialist expertise or support long-term succession plans. Individuals with an established market profile, strong referral networks and a proven ability to win and retain clients remain among the most sought-after senior professionals in the market.

Corporate Tax

The Corporate Tax market has remained active throughout the past month, with a noticeable increase in live vacancies across the Big 4 and leading mid-tier firms.

Demand continues to be strongest at Manager, Senior Manager and Director level, where firms are experiencing a shortage of experienced professionals capable of leading client relationships and delivering complex advisory work. International Tax, Pillar Two, large corporate compliance, tax accounting and sector-specialist teams remain key areas of investment. Recent vacancies have included roles across International Tax, Financial Services Tax, Renewable Energy Tax and Corporate Tax advisory teams, highlighting the breadth of demand currently in the market.

We have also seen continued investment into specialist areas that sit alongside mainstream Corporate Tax, with firms actively recruiting within Funds Tax, Financial Services Tax and Corporate M&A Tax teams. This reflects a wider trend towards building technically strong advisory capabilities as clients face increasing complexity in both domestic and international tax matters.

The market remains increasingly selective, with employers focusing on quality of hire rather than aggressive headcount growth. Candidates who can demonstrate strong technical expertise alongside commercial awareness, stakeholder management skills and the ability to identify advisory opportunities continue to attract the strongest interest. Business development capability is becoming an increasingly important differentiator at Senior Manager and Director level.

Financial Services Tax, Funds Tax, International Tax and Renewable Energy Tax remain key investment areas within London, while regional hiring continues across Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds and Scotland more broadly as firms further expand national tax teams.

Senior Leadership Hiring Trends

Director and Partner-level hiring has become increasingly active throughout 2026, particularly within Private Capital, Real Estate and broader Alternative Investments teams. Many firms have continued to invest in senior talent as they look to strengthen sector specialisms, deepen client relationships and position themselves for future growth opportunities.

Private Capital remains one of the most competitive areas of the market, with firms seeking senior tax professionals who can advise private equity houses, portfolio companies, infrastructure funds, venture capital investors and other alternative asset managers.

Real Estate Tax has also seen sustained investment at the senior level, with several firms using senior hires as a platform to expand their Real Estate Tax capabilities and increase market share within a highly competitive sector.

Candidates who can demonstrate strong business development credentials, an existing client following or a clear route to revenue generation continue to attract the strongest interest.

M&A Tax

The M&A Tax market remained active throughout August, with specialist transaction tax teams continuing to invest in experienced hires across the Big 4 and wider practice market.

Corporate Transaction Tax, Real Estate Transaction Tax and Infrastructure Transaction Tax teams continue to invest in headcount as firms position themselves for future deal activity and respond to sustained client demand.

Demand is heavily focused on Manager and Senior Manager level professionals, with firms seeking individuals who can lead workstreams, manage client relationships and provide high-quality transaction advice across due diligence, structuring, acquisitions, disposals and refinancing projects. Candidates with direct transaction tax experience remain among the most sought-after profiles.

While there remains a pathway for accomplished Corporate Tax professionals to transition into M&A Tax, hiring managers are placing increasing emphasis on demonstrable transaction exposure and a clear rationale for moving into the deals environment.

Overall, specialist transaction tax teams remain one of the most active areas of the tax recruitment market, particularly across London and other major deal hubs.

Senior Leadership Hiring Trends

Director and Partner-level hiring has remained active throughout August and into September, although recruitment at this level remains selective. Demand is strongest within Corporate Transactions, Private Equity, Real Estate and Infrastructure teams.

Business development capability remains a key differentiator, with firms placing significant value on individuals who can combine strong transaction tax expertise with a proven ability to originate work, develop client relationships and contribute to revenue growth.

Transfer Pricing

Transfer Pricing recruitment has continued to improve, with firms now hiring steadily across all levels from Assistant Manager through to Director.

Regulatory developments, including the continued impact of OECD Pillar Two requirements, are supporting demand for technically strong professionals capable of navigating complex international tax frameworks.

At the senior end, business development, client management and leadership capabilities are becoming increasingly important. The Director market remains particularly active, while opportunities have also increased at junior and Manager levels.

Regional hiring continues to strengthen across Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Glasgow, reflecting ongoing investment into national Transfer Pricing teams.

Overall, Transfer Pricing remains one of the more stable areas of the tax market, supported by increasing international tax complexity and continued investment from firms heading into Q4.

R&D Tax

R&D Tax remains an active area of the market, although hiring volumes are lower than in previous years as firms continue to take a more selective approach to recruitment.

Demand is strongest for candidates who can demonstrate strong technical credibility, commercial awareness and the ability to navigate an increasingly scrutinised claims environment.

Across the Big 4 and wider practice market, firms continue to invest in technical specialists supporting software, technology and innovation-focused claims, particularly within AI, SaaS, cloud computing, cybersecurity and software development, with hiring concentrated at Manager and Senior Manager level.

As HMRC scrutiny continues to increase, employers are placing even greater emphasis on technical expertise, stakeholder management skills and the ability to clearly articulate complex R&D activities to both clients and tax teams.

At Director level, firms continue to seek individuals who can combine deep technical knowledge with team leadership and business development capability.

VAT / Indirect Tax

The VAT and Indirect Tax market continues to perform strongly, with demand remaining robust across the accountancy practice sector.

Activity has been particularly concentrated at Manager and Senior Manager level, where firms continue to compete for experienced talent with strong technical and advisory credentials.

One of the most notable trends in recent months has been the increase in demand within M&A and Indirect Tax Transactions teams, with hiring activity evident across all grades up to Senior Manager. This remains one of the most challenging areas to recruit for due to a limited talent pool.

While opportunities do exist at Director level, hiring volumes remain relatively limited, creating a noticeable bottleneck between Senior Manager and Director grades. Commercial capability is increasingly the key differentiator for progression into Director-level roles.

From a skills perspective, advisory experience continues to dominate hiring requirements. The overwhelming majority of live vacancies are focused on technical advisory work rather than compliance delivery.

Overall, demand for commercially minded professionals is expected to remain strong as firms continue to invest in growth areas and strengthen client-facing capabilities heading into Q4.

US/UK Private Client Tax

Following a particularly active summer period, the US/UK Private Client Tax market remained exceptionally busy throughout August, with firms across the Big 4, Top 10, mid-tier, independent and specialist private client sectors continuing to invest heavily in talent.

Demand remains strongest at Manager and Senior Manager level, where there is a significant shortage of qualified professionals capable of managing complex cross-border US and UK private client matters.

One of the most notable trends across the market is the continued demand for US/UK dual handlers. Firms are increasingly looking to build integrated teams capable of delivering a seamless service to internationally mobile individuals, high-net-worth families, entrepreneurs and US-connected clients living in the UK.

The shortage of dual handlers continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing employers, and demand significantly outweighs supply across most areas of the market.

Candidates with strong cross-border technical expertise, commercial awareness and the ability to manage complex client relationships remain among the most sought-after professionals in the market.

US Corporate and Funds Tax

The UK US Funds Tax market remained highly active throughout August, with continued hiring across the Big 4 and specialist US tax practices.

Demand for experienced US tax professionals continues to exceed available talent, particularly at Manager and Senior Manager level, as firms compete for talent capable of supporting increasingly sophisticated private capital and alternative investment clients.

US Funds Tax remains one of the most strategically important growth areas within practice. Private equity, hedge fund, venture capital and real estate fund managers continue to drive demand, with many firms actively expanding their funds tax teams.

Private equity remains the primary driver of hiring activity, with firms seeking candidates experienced in partnership allocations, carried interest structures, blocker entities, fund compliance and investor reporting obligations.

Despite continued investment across the market, the availability of experienced US Funds Tax professionals remains limited, creating ongoing competition for talent.

Salary levels remain competitive, although career progression opportunities, quality of client exposure, flexible working arrangements and long-term growth prospects are increasingly becoming key differentiators in the market.

Overall, market conditions remain highly favourable for experienced US Funds Tax professionals. Those able to combine technical excellence with strong relationship management skills remain among the most sought-after profiles within the UK practice market.

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For more tailored market information, please get in touch: taxrequest@ambition.co.uk

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