Graduate Programme - Trainee Tax Accountant

Role name:  Graduate 2026 Programme – Trainee Tax Accountant

Application deadline:  November 2025

Programme start date:  September 2026

Eligibility:  Final year students graduating in Summer 2026

 

Who we are:

Rothesay is the UK’s largest pensions insurance specialist, purpose-built to protect pension schemes and their members’ pensions. With over £69 billion of assets under management, we secure the pensions of nearly one million people and pay out, on average, approximately £350 million in pension payments each month.

Rothesay is dedicated to providing excellence in customer service alongside prudent underwriting, a conservative investment strategy and the careful management of risk. We are trusted by the pension schemes of some of the UK’s best known companies to provide pension solutions, including British Airways, Cadbury’s, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Co-Operative Group, National Grid, NatWest, Morrisons and Telent.

At Rothesay, we are striving to transform our industry. We believe deeply in creating real security for the future and our leadership in finding new and better ways to do that is the key to our success. To do that, we need the very brightest original thinkers to bring creativity as well as rigour. Rothesay is a rewarding place to work, where quality people can thrive and prosper. We pride ourselves on the connections our people build, many of whom have been with us for over ten years.

Graduate Programme:

Our UK graduate programme is designed to kick-start careers for ambitious and analytical graduates who want to make an impact. Rothesay is built on a multi-talented, multi-disciplined model, collaborating directly and with singular focus to shape the future. Rothesay’s inclusive and collaborative working environment allows our graduates to build a broad skill-set and shape a strong internal network. We support your development journey, growth in your career, in addition to offering a competitive salary and tailored benefits.

Our 2 year* programme starts with a fundamentals week for the entire graduate cohort, where you will have in depth networking and insight sessions on Rothesay as a whole. From week two, you will join your team for professional integrated learning and start to make meaningful contributions. Throughout your first year, alongside your permanent role, you will be part of an on-site graduate development programme with both technical and business skills training.  Our teams run lean, giving you excellent visibility and exposure throughout the business, and we will provide continuous training and upskilling for your future.  Rothesay is a rewarding place to work, where quality people can thrive and prosper.  Regular reviews will take place to support your learning and development with a formal assessment towards the end of the programme.

 

This opportunity is open to summer 2026 graduates who are looking to launch into their career within an entrepreneurial environment where talent can thrive and excel.

The role

A graduate trainee Tax Accountant will be part of the team responsible for tax compliance at Rothesay.

Responsibilities of tax accountant

• To assist in the preparation of monthly corporate tax computations for entities in the Rothesay group,
• Assist in the preparation of the monthly tax adjustment workings relating to items such as, deferred tax, capital allowances, disallowed expenses and items calculated on an amortised cost basis,
• To assist in the review of the annual UK tax returns for the group,
• Staying up to date on legislative changes related to tax and the impact of these on Rothesay,
• To develop tax knowledge through on the job the training as well as through studying for a professional qualification.
• Able to analyse and summarise impact of changes to tax legislation on the Rothesay Group,
• To assist in the preparation of the quarterly VAT workings under the partial exemption special method and submission of quarterly returns,
• Work closely with the wider finance team (financial reporting, accounts payable, budgeting) to ensure that bookings that impact tax are accurate and made in a timely manner,
• To prepare the quarterly reporting file for Australian GST compliance and assist in compiling information required for annual Australian tax return compliance as well as annual US tax compliance,
• Prepare the quarterly CT 61 return for withholding taxes,
• Prepare the workings for the annual PSA payment to HMRC under the PAYE settlement agreement,
• Assist in identifying improvements to manual processes in preparation for making tax digital for corporation tax,
• Assisting in maintaining a strong tax governance environment by ensuring tax manuals and tax process documentation are kept up to date in conformity with policy,
• Involvement in a broad range of department–wide projects and initiatives that have an impact on tax as well as cross-business initiatives,

 

Skills and experience

• Graduate intending to study for a professional qualification such as ACA, CTA or ACCA qualification,
• Interested in pursuing a career in tax,
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail,
• Willing to work in a highly driven team environment,
• Ability to work under pressure,
• Highly motivated individual with strong interpersonal skills,
• Proficient PC Skills (Word, Excel),
• Strong interpersonal, communication and influencing skills with the confidence and ability to operate effectively at all levels including third parties.

Disclaimer This position description is intended to describe the duties most frequently performed by an individual in this position. It is not intended to be a complete list of assigned duties, but to describe a position level.  The role shall be performed within a professional office environment. Rothesay has health and safety polices that are available for all workers upon request.  There are no specific health risks associated with the role.

Inclusion Rothesay actively promotes diversity and inclusivity. We know that our success depends on our people and that by nurturing a culture that values difference, we create a stronger, more dynamic business. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability or age.

The collection of applicant diversity data allows Rothesay to map and gain insights into the impact of our DEI strategy for talent attraction. This data is anonymised and is not analysed against individual applications. By requesting mapping our applicants’ demographic profiles, we can identify the under-represented groups. This enables us to identify any barriers to increasing our diversity and take action.