By Alice Hudson | UK & International Tax Recruitment | Meraki Talent

The tax profession has always been shaped by change. New legislation, shifting economic priorities and increasingly complex international business structures mean tax professionals must continually adapt their knowledge and expertise. But as I look towards 2027, another important conversation deserves attention: how transferable are the skills of today's tax professionals, and are employers looking widely enough to find the talent they need?

Having worked extensively across both UK and international professional services recruitment, I've seen how experience gained in one market can create opportunities in another. While tax legislation differs between countries, many of the skills that make an exceptional tax professional are remarkably consistent.

A changing market, at home and internationally

The UK tax recruitment market presents an interesting picture. Following an active 2025, hiring became more selective during 2026 with demand varying considerably between specialisms, with Indirect Tax, Employment Tax and specialist advisory disciplines demonstrating real resilience.

Employers continue to seek professionals who combine technical expertise with commercial understanding, particularly within Corporate Tax, Private Client, Transfer Pricing and VAT. Internationally, multinational organisations are now navigating evolving tax frameworks, including the OECD's global minimum tax rules, alongside greater scrutiny of cross-border arrangements.

The challenge for my clients is no longer simply finding someone with a tax qualification, but identifying professionals who can interpret complex legislation, advise their clients confidently and support increasingly international business operations.

Tax knowledge may be local, but professional expertise is global.

One of the most interesting aspects of having international recruitment experience is discovering how much a professional skillset can transfer between jurisdictions. Of course, tax is not a universal discipline. A UK Corporation Tax specialist cannot simply relocate and immediately advise on every aspect of another country's legislation. Local regulations, qualifications and reporting requirements remain essential.

However, consider the wider capabilities developed throughout a successful tax career. A Corporate Tax professional working with multinational clients may already understand complex group structures, international transactions and cross-border compliance.

A Transfer Pricing specialist may possess experience of OECD principles and international documentation requirements relevant across numerous markets and similarly, professionals working in International Tax, M&A Tax or Global Mobility often develop expertise that extends beyond their domestic jurisdiction.

The important question is not always whether someone has worked in a particular country before. It is whether their existing expertise provides the foundation to succeed there.

Where are opportunities emerging?

Several developments are influencing demand for tax expertise across the UK and internationally. International Tax and Transfer Pricing remain important areas as multinational businesses navigate increasingly sophisticated regulatory requirements.

Within the UK, VAT, Employment Tax, Private Client and specialist advisory functions continue to require experienced professionals, particularly those capable of providing commercially focused advice.

Another global constant is the impact of Technology. Making Tax Digital, evolving reporting requirements and the growing use of AI and automation are changing how tax teams approach compliance, research and data analysis, so, rather than removing the need for expertise, these developments increase the importance of professionals who can interpret information, exercise judgement and provide meaningful advice.

For internationally experienced tax professionals, this creates opportunities extending beyond traditional advisory appointments into tax transformation, technology-enabled compliance and multi-national assignments.

Could the UK benefit from a more international approach?

I personally believe there is a strong case for employers to consider a wider range of professional backgrounds when building their tax teams. The UK has a highly developed professional services market, yet recruitment can sometimes be constrained by specific expectations around previous employers, domestic experience or established career pathways.

Some appointments undoubtedly require detailed UK legislative knowledge from day one. However, others offer greater flexibility, particularly where responsibilities involve international clients, Transfer Pricing or cross-border advisory work.

Professionals who have developed their careers in Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific or other international markets may bring valuable experience of different regulatory environments and commercial practices and, equally, UK-trained tax professionals have much to offer organisations operating internationally.

The challenge in recruitment is understanding where skills genuinely transfer, where additional training is required and where local expertise remains essential. For employers, broadening the search could uncover talented professionals who might otherwise be overlooked. For candidates, it could open career opportunities they had not previously considered.

Looking beyond traditional tax career paths

Transferability isn't exclusively about moving between countries, it means recognising how tax professionals can develop across different organisations and specialisms. For instance, someone working within a large accountancy practice may have skills highly relevant to an in-house corporate tax team whereas a professional with a compliance background may have the technical foundation to progress into advisory work.

Similarly, specialists working with international clients may discover opportunities in different jurisdictions or more focused tax disciplines. These transitions aren't automatic, but recognising potential rather than insisting on an exact match of previous experience can make a significant difference, especially at a time when firms continue to compete for experienced professionals, identifying transferable expertise should be an important part of recruitment strategy.

A broader perspective

My focus encompasses the UK tax market alongside international opportunities, supporting firms seeking specialist expertise and professionals considering their next career move. That means understanding the requirements of domestic and international appointments, recognising where expertise can transfer and helping employers think more broadly about their talent needs.

Tax will always require specialist knowledge, but as regulation, technology and international business continue to evolve, adaptability and commercial awareness will become increasingly valuable.

Tax rules may have borders. Talent, ambition and opportunity do not necessarily have to.

If you're a tax professional considering your next career move, whether within the UK or internationally, or an employer looking to strengthen your tax team, I'd welcome a conversation.

Alice Hudson
Tax Recruitment | UK & International Markets
Meraki Talent
Connecting People, Creating Impact.