Associate Director – Tax Advisory (Edinburgh or Glasgow)

Exclusive Opportunity with a High-Growth Boutique Advisory Firm

Rutherford Cross is exclusively working with a rapidly growing, independently-owned advisory firm to appoint an ambitious Associate Director into its expanding Tax Advisory Practice. This is a standout opportunity for a senior tax professional seeking something genuinely different in the Scottish market.

Our client is a boutique, entrepreneurial firm with a team of under 40 people and a strong reputation across M&A, transaction services and private client advisory. Due to continued growth, the business is looking to strengthen its leadership team with an experienced tax specialist who wants autonomy, influence, and a clear route to Partner.

The Role:

The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting and growing the firm’s tax advisory capability across:

• Mergers & acquisitions and corporate restructuring
• Delivering strategic tax advice across a diverse client base
• Tax due diligence
• Preparing and reviewing Tax DD reports and advising on M&A and funding structures
• Complex technical research
• Producing clear, commercial insights for clients
• Business development & practice growth
• Identifying opportunities, developing new relationships, and helping broaden the firm’s service offering

This role can be based in Edinburgh or Glasgow, with high levels of flexibility and trust.

What Makes This Role Unique:

This is not a traditional corporate role. Key differentiators:

• Clear progression to Partner with no red tape
• A transparent path in a firm where progression is based on contribution and impact - not time served
• Entrepreneurial, boutique environment
• Your ideas are valued, implemented, and shape the firm’s evolution
• True autonomy and flexibility
• Work in a way that suits you while delivering high-quality client outcomes
• Independently owned
• No private equity, no layers of approval, no rigid structures
• Significant influence
• A chance to help build and grow a practice during an exciting period of expansion

This will appeal strongly to someone who wants to step out of a large, PE-backed or overly structured environment and into a role where they can genuinely make an impact.

Key Requirements:

• CAI (or equivalent) qualified
• CTA qualified with at least two years’ PQE
• Experience in a similar tax advisory or transactions-focused role
• Strong technical tax knowledge with commercial awareness
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Excellent communication and client relationship skills
• Highly organised with the ability to prioritise effectively

Who This Would Suit:

An entrepreneurial tax specialist who wants to:

• Build something, not just maintain it
• Take on more responsibility and influence
• Work closely with senior leadership
• Operate in a flexible, trusting environment
• Progress rapidly toward partnership

For more information on this role, please contact Ben Jones at Rutherford Cross: [email protected]

Our client is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status or pregnancy and maternity.